On September 22 and 23, 2026, the seminar was held at the Gandia Campus of the Polytechnic University of Valencia “Determining the Good Environmental Status of Benthic Habitats”, as part of the course “Determining the Ecological Status of the” Master’s Degree in Environmental Assessment and Monitoring of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems (MEMIC).
The seminar was led by Alberto Serrano López, Research Professor at the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) at the Santander Oceanographic Center, whose research focuses on the study of benthos and the effects of human activities on these habitats.
During the seminar, the main criteria and indicators used to assess the environmental status of benthic habitats were discussed, as well as various tools for their management and assessment. The participation of a researcher from the IEO-CSIC allowed students to learn about the application of these approaches in scientific and professional contexts, reinforcing the course content.
This activity is part of the commitment by the Polytechnic University of Valencia with the UPV SIRVE Strategic Plan, promoting an education program linked to research and involving specialized professionals from leading institutions in the field of marine sciences.