A detailed draft scientific programme for #WCMB2026 is now available! Discover the full line-up of sessions and presentations, and explore speakers and scheduled presentation times: wcmb2026.org/scientific-p... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

#WCMB2026 #back2backmeetings 📅 25-26 Nov 2026 The "A decade for early career scientists’ contributions to uncover hidden diversity in the deep sea " meeting will take place at @vliz.be More info: wcmb2026.org/back-back-me... @unoceandecade.bsky.social #GlobalDeepOcean #DeepOceanECOPs #ECOP

#WCMB2026 #back2backmeetings 📅 24-25 Nov 2026 The "IMBRSea - special meeting: the way forward in Ocean education, training future ocean stewards " will take place at @vliz.be The workshop is invitation-only. More info: wcmb2026.org/back-back-me... @unoceandecade.bsky.social

#WCMB2026 #back2backmeetings 📅 16 Nov 2026 The "MARCO-BOLO Community of Practice: Final Stakeholder Event & Legacy" will take place at BMCC The workshop is invitation only. More info: wcmb2026.org/back-back-me... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be @marco-bolo.bsky.social @horizoneu.bsky.social

#WCMB2026 #back2backmeetings 📅 16 Nov 2026 The "Rewilding Dogger Bank workshop" will take place at Concertgebouw Brugge. The workshop is open to all interested people upon registration. More info: wcmb2026.org/back-back-me... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be #DoggerBank

#WCMB2026 #back2backmeetings 📅 16 Nov 2026 The "Workshop on Biodiversity (from coast to deep sea): Ocean Decade Solution Blueprint" will take place at BMCC Bruges. Participation is by invitation only. More info: wcmb2026.org/back-back-me...

#WCMB2026 #back2backmeetings 📅 11–13 + 16 Nov 2026 The 14th session of the IODE steering group for OBIS will take place at @vliz.be This is a closed meeting. More info: wcmb2026.org/back-back-me... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @obis.org

#WCMB2026 #back2backmeetings 📅 11–13 Nov 2026 The Steering Committee meeting of the World Register of Marine Species (@marinespecies.bsky.social) will take place at @vliz.be. This is a closed meeting. More info: wcmb2026.org/back-back-me... @unoceandecade.bsky.social

#WCMB2026 #back2backmeetings 📅 11–12 Nov 2026 A workshop on “Assessing Marine Invertebrates for the IUCN Red List” will take place at @vliz.be More info: wcmb2026.org/back-back-me... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @sgn.one @oceanspecies.bsky.social

In the weeks surrounding #WCMB2026, several back-to-back meetings will take place. 👉 wcmb2026.org/back-back-me... Over the coming weeks, we’ll be introducing them one by one—stay tuned @vliz.be @unoceandecade.bsky.social

One week left to register at our Early Bird rate! wcmb2026.org/registration wcmb2026.org/rates After June 18th you can still register for #WCMB2026 at the regular conference rate. @vliz.be @unoceandecade.bsky.social

Do you have a marine biodiversity treasure to donate to #WCMB2026? We’re collecting items for a silent auction in support of VLIZ Philanthropy grants for WoRMS editors worldwide. Books, art, photography, experiences and more are welcome.

The draft scientific programme for #WCMB2026 is now live! 🔗 wcmb2026.org/scientific-p... A more detailed version will follow in the second half of July. And yes… we had a lot of fun building this giant puzzle 😄 @vliz.be @unoceandecade.bsky.social

✈️🌍 Planning to attend #WCMB2026? Plan your trip to Bruges with ease — find travel options and everything you need to get there. 👉 wcmb2026.org/travel See you in Belgium this November! @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

The abstract evaluation process for #WCMB2026 has come to an end. Notifications have been sent to all abstract submitters via email. Please check your inbox (and spam folder if needed). We regret that not all submissions could be accepted and appreciate your understanding.

We are adding another event to the #WCMB2026 social program! Join us on Sunday 15 November 2026 for the annual Flemish Science Day, when @vliz.be opens the doors of the Marine Station Ostend to the public. More information👇 wcmb2026.org/social-progr... @unoceandecade.bsky.social

Are you coming to #WCMB2026 in Bruges? Make the most of your trip - discover travel tips, local highlights, and everything you need to enjoy this historic city. 👉 wcmb2026.org/tourist-info... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

We’re currently reviewing more than 1,200 submitted abstracts. 🙌 Authors will be informed of the outcome around May 20, 2026. More info about our timeline: wcmb2026.org/timeline @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be #wcmb2026

The last keynote speaker we want to present to you is the receiver of the Carlo Heip Award for 2023-2025: Professor Emeritus Philippe Bouchet from @mnhn.fr The award will be officially handed over by #IABO during #WCMB2026 wcmb2026.org/keynotesbio#... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

Introducing the keynote speakers of #WCMB2026: @divaamon.bsky.social (Trinidad and Tobago) will present the keynote for Theme 6. She is dedicated to expanding the understanding of the ocean’s least-known ecosystems. wcmb2026.org/keynotesbio#... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

Introducing the keynote speakers of #WCMB2026: Leen Vandepitte from @vliz.be will present the keynote for Theme 5. She is the coordinator of @marinespecies.bsky.social, @eurobis.bsky.social, #IRMNG and the @lifewatchvliz.bsky.social Species Information Backbone. wcmb2026.org/keynotesbio#...

Introducing the keynote speakers of #WCMB2026: Daniel Lauretta (Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences, CONICET) will present the keynote for Theme 4. He has a background in #marinebiodiversity, invertebrate taxonomy & phylogeny. wcmb2026.org/keynotesbio#... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

Introducing the keynote speakers of #WCMB2026: Fei Chai will present the keynote for Theme 3. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Maine (@umaine.bsky.social) and Chair Professor at Xiamen University. wcmb2026.org/keynotesbio#... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be #marinebiodiversity

#WCMB2026 #ScientificCommittee With Xavier Raick from Cornell University we conclude the presentation of our Scientific Committee. His scientific interests are centered on aquatic eco-acoustics and conservation bio-acoustics. wcmb2026.org/sccombio#Xav... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

Introducing the keynote speakers of #WCMB2026: Lisa Levin will present the combined keynote for Themes 2 and 7. She is a Distinguished Professor Emerita at @scrippsocean.bsky.social wcmb2026.org/keynotesbio#... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be #marinebiodiversity

#WCMB2026 #ScientificCommittee Penelope Nozithelo Moyo is a marine scientist passionate about #marinebiodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management. wcmb2026.org/sccombio#Pen... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be #OceanDecadeECOP

Introducing the keynote speakers of #WCMB2026: Vidar Helgesen will present the keynote for Theme 1: Challenges to achieve UN Decade goals. He is Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. wcmb2026.org/keynotesbio#... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

*Our call for abstracts is now closed* We received an overwhelming amount of abstracts and would like to thank everyone who submitted an abstract. You will receive confirmation whether or not your abstract was accepted by May 20th 2026 by the latest. @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

#WCMB2026 #ScientificCommittee Diego Nahuel Campos Salazar is specialized in small-scale fisheries and conservation in Perú. He promotes the importance of fishers’ traditional knowledge for sustainable use. wcmb2026.org/sccombio#Die... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be #marinebiodiversity

Themes and sessions of @wcmb2026.bsky.social - Part 40 Session 7.6: "Innovative and large-scale approaches for biodiversity observation in pelagic ecosystems" wcmb2026.org/7-Taking-the... And this concludes the 40 sessions of #WCMB2026! @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be #marinebiodiversity