BRIDGE-BS partner National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” successfully hosted the BRIDGE-BS Workshop on Macrozoobenthos on November 21-22, 2023, in Constanza. Partners from Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia, including GeoEcoMar, IO-BAS, IBER-BAS, and TSU, actively participated in the workshop.

During the workshop, BRIDGE-BS partners provided updates on indicators for benthic habitats, unanimously agreed upon assessment methodologies, insights into non-indigenous species, and developments in macrobenthic studies. With the presentation on the outcomes of the inter-calibration exercise, the imperative need for harmonized assessment methodologies in macrozoobenthos research was emphasized. Practical sessions involved engaging discussions and the examination of misidentified zoobenthic species under a stereomicroscope.

The BRIDGE-BS Workshop on Macrozoobenthos allowed participants to contribute to the exchange of knowledge and expertise in this crucial scientific endeavor. Furthermore, it has enabled the standardization of techniques in taxonomy and the maintenance of consistency in our research findings. This collaborative effort of BRIDGE-BS partners has significantly enriched the comprehension of marine zoobenthos, marking noteworthy progress in the BRIDGE-BS research.