The BioEcoOcean workshop brought together international teams working on marine ecosystem modelling, from lower trophic levels to top predators, carbon-export processes, species distribution models, or integration of satellite and in situ data. The goal was to exchange on current validation practices, identify common data gaps, and explore how to build shared validation standards across models and trophic levels. 

Key outcomes of the workshop 

• Strong agreement on developing a shared BioEcoOcean validation protocol, including common metrics, datasets, and EOV requirements.
• Clear prioritization of data gaps, summarized in a “Christmas wish list”: day/night and depth-resolved zooplankton/micronekton data monthly time series, gelatinous zooplankton size-structured fields, NPP corrected with in-situ observations, functional-group or species biomass datasets over continental slope, improved POM‐process measurements, etc.
• Recognition of the need for closer collaboration between modellers and observational teams, to steer future sampling strategies and database development.
• Anticipated major role of BGC-Argo-based 3D gridded products in future ecosystem model validation. 

The workshop was organized as part of the Pelagic Ocean Living Lab 1 activities by Sarah Albernhe and Patrick Lehodey from Mercator Ocean International.