How can we better represent the interactions between people and the ocean in Digital Twin Ocean approaches? This question was at the centre of SEADOTs’ participation in the Social Simulation Conference 2026 at Durham University, Durham, UK, where researchers working across social simulation, marine systems and Digital Twin Oceans came together to explore new approaches to modelling human–ocean interactions.

The SEADOTs project is developing a Digital Twin of the Ocean to simulate the co-use of offshore wind farms and low-trophic aquaculture in the German Bight. This tool integrates environmental and socio-economic data to test sustainable food and energy production scenarios. Its goal is to support decision-making for Blue Economy strategies aligned with the EU Green Deal.