About the Conference
The 8th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC8) will take place November 13–17, 2026, in Edinburgh. Held biennially and organized by the Society for Conservation Biology’s Global Marine Program, IMCC is a leading international forum for advancing marine conservation science and practice.
IMCC8 will be hosted at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. The address is: 150 Morrison St, Edinburgh EH3 8EE, United Kingdom
Guided by the theme Marine Science for the Planet and its Peoples, IMCC8 builds on the Congress’s mission of making marine science matter. The congress informs policy, supports practitioners, and reflects the needs and knowledge of communities worldwide. By bringing together diverse voices from across disciplines and geographies, IMCC fosters collaboration, shared learning, and action to sustain the long-term health of our ocean.
Below is a snapshot of potential topics, reflecting the breadth of interests and expertise represented by IMCC participants.
Fisheries, aquaculture and the oceans; marine food systems; conservation and management of the Arctic and Antarctic; conservation engineering; ocean science technology; marine energy; climate, ocean acidification, and the changing oceans; marine and coastal cultures; marine governance; areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ); marine conservation planning; communication and outreach; blue economy; marine industry; citizen science; traditional ecological knowledge; knowledge exchange; marine tourism; wellbeing and health; marine and coastal restoration; conservation at the land-sea interface.
Conference Venue
Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC)
The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) is one of the UK’s leading purpose-built venues for conferences, exhibitions, and corporate events. Designed to accommodate everything from high-level international congresses to large-scale plenaries and breakouts, the EICC combines flexible event space with modern, high-spec facilities in a professional conference setting.
Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre, the EICC sits within easy reach of the city’s key cultural and entertainment districts. Its central location places delegates within walking distance of a wide choice of hotels, restaurants, and visitor attractions, and provides excellent transport links for arrival by rail, tram, or air via Edinburgh Airport.
History
After the first (1997) and second (2001) Symposia on Marine Conservation Biology confirmed the large number of marine conservation biologists interested in furthering marine science, research, and public policy, a group of marine professionals organized a formal society for marine conservation biology. The SCB Marine Global Program now provides a home for marine conservation biology in order to further marine conservation science, research, and public policy. The Program’s flagship meeting is the biennial International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC).
- 2009 – Washington, D.C.
- 2011 – Victoria, Canada
- 2014 – Glasgow, UK
- 2016 – St. John’s, Canada
- 2018 – Kuching, Malaysia
- 2020 (IMCC6) – Held virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, organized from Kiel, Germany
- 2024 (IMCC7) – Cape Town, South Africa
Logo Designers
Banner art by Natalie Donato.
IMCC8 logo by Andrew Kornblatt.