ECSA 61 Bridging the gap between science and policy in estuarine and coastal marine biodiversity: the way forward
MARBEFES is making waves!
Together with our sister EU Horizon projects, we’re proud to co-host a cutting-edge conference uniting science and policy to protect estuarine and coastal marine biodiversity.
Join us as we connect leading researchers, policymakers, and innovators to shape the future of our oceans.
If you’d like to share your perspective, hear from others, and be part of this important discussion, submit your Special Session proposal and today!
ECSA 61
Bridging the gap between science and policy in estuarine and coastal marine biodiversity: the way forward
24-27 August 2026 |Square, Brussels, Belgium
We invite you to participate in ECSA 61: Bridging the gap between science and policy in estuarine and coastal marine biodiversity: the way forward and contribute your recent findings in all aspects of coastal and estuarine sciences. The conference will take place from 24-27 August 2026 at Square, Brussels, Belgium.
Building on the results of several Horizon Europe projects it is a unique opportunity to show the most recent advances of coastal marine research and their applications for European and international policies. For this purpose, ECSA 61 brings together a global multi-disciplinary community of researchers and professionals.
For the first time ECSA invites you for a 'Science-meets-Policy' day (27 August 2026), during which you have the chance to discuss research findings and applications for a sustainable future of coasts with managers and decision-makers from Europe and all over the world, and the ways in which these can be used in current monitoring and assessment policies.
Special Sessions
Deadline for Special Session proposals: 24 November 2025
To submit your Special Session proposal click here.
General Conference Sessions
The abstract submission system will open in January 2026
Abstract submission deadline: 6 March 2026
Physics
· Coastal hydrodynamics and physical-biological coupling
· Coastal morphodynamics and sediment transport
· Impact of extreme events on coastal systems
· Monitoring and prediction with observation systems and models
Ecology
· Coastal and estuarine biodiversity and ecosystems
· Coastal Ecosystem conservation and restoration, including nature-based solutions
· Connectivity of estuaries, saltmarshes, mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs
· Stress responses and resilience: from molecular to ecosystem level
Biogeochemistry
· From Source-to-Sea (S2S): effects of land use change and hydrology regulation
· Carbon and nutrient cycling in benthic and pelagic ecosystems
· Eutrophication, acidification and pollution of coastal ecosystems
· Blue carbon: understanding and quantifying carbon storage in coasts and estuaries
Human Dimension
· Coastal governance and policy
· Socio-economic and socio-ecological systems impacts and adaptation
· Community engagement and stakeholder involvement
· Decision support tools and marine spatial planning
· Science communication, citizen science and ocean literacy
Conference Chairs
Ángel Borja, AZTI, San Sebastian, Spain
Michael Elliott, International Estuarine & Coastal Specialists (IECS) Ltd, UK, and University of Hull, UK
Tim Jennerjahn, ECSA Conference Coordinator, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research