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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 20h

The instructions and guidelines for poster and oral presenters are now available through the #WCMB2026 website: wcmb2026.org/poster-guide... wcmb2026.org/oral-present... @vliz.be @unoceandecade.bsky.social

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

🌊 Sponsor spotlight: Jan De Nul We thank Jan De Nul for supporting #WCMB2026 wcmb2026.org/sponsors-pre... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

🌊 Sponsor spotlight: Royal Society Publishing - Biology Letters We thank the @royalsocietypublishing.org and the Biology Letters journal for supporting #WCMB2026 wcmb2026.org/sponsors-pre... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

🌊 Sponsor spotlight: Frontiers in Marine Science We thank @frontiersin.bsky.social for supporting #WCMB2026 wcmb2026.org/sponsors-pre... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

🌊 Sponsor spotlight: Toerisme Vlaanderen - Flanders Convention Bureau We thank @toerismevla.bsky.social for supporting #WCMB2026 wcmb2026.org/sponsors-pre... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

On Friday 20th, the closing plenary ends at 15:20. You can find the updated scientific program here: wcmb2026.org/scientific-p...

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

🌊 Sponsor spotlight: PeerJ We thank @peerj.bsky.social for publishing a Conference Collection of articles based on the themes and the research presented at #WCMB2026 wcmb2026.org/sponsors-pre... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🌊 Sponsor spotlight: The International Association for Biological Oceanography (IABO) We thank #IABO for their general support in organizing the WCMB, not only #WCMB2026, but also the 6 previous WCMB conferences. wcmb2026.org/sponsors-pre... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

🌊 Sponsor spotlight: The National Decade Committee for Belgium We thank NDC Belgium for supporting #WCMB2026 and providing 10 Travel Grants for #ECOPs and 12 one-day participation grants. wcmb2026.org/sponsors-pre... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

🌊 Sponsor spotlight: VLIZ - The Sea As a Good Cause A special thank you goes to @vliz.be, the local organizing institute, for its support to #WCMB2026 and providing 10 full package participation grants. wcmb2026.org/sponsors-pre... @unoceandecade.bsky.social

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

🌊 Meet the sponsors supporting #WCMB2026! wcmb2026.org/sponsors-pic... Their support helps us bring the global marine biodiversity community together in Bruges, 17–20 November. Over the coming weeks, we’ll introduce our sponsors one by one. Stay tuned! @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

#WCMB2026 #back2backmeetings 📅 16 Nov 2026 The "7th EU Blue Parks Community Workshop to Focus on Marine Protected Areas" will take place in Bruges. More info: wcmb2026.org/back-back-me... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be #OurMissionOcean #BLUE4ALLproject

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

There are still many tickets left for the #WCMB2026 Conference Dinner on Thursday November 19th. Join us for an exclusive dining experience at the Belgium Pier in Blankenberge, where fine cuisine meets the wonders of the ocean. wcmb2026.org/social-progr... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

#WCMB2026 #back2backmeetings 📅 16 Nov 2026 The "ANERIS workshop: The Future of Marine Monitoring - Imaging, AI and Research Infrastructures" will take place at @vliz.be More info: wcmb2026.org/back-back-me... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @aneris.eu

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

We are still welcoming contributions for the silent auction at #WCMB2026! Think scientific illustrations, books, underwater photography, handmade ocean-inspired art, one-of-a-kind experiences, and many more. Donate your item: form.vliz.be/en/form/wcmb... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

#WCMB2026 #back2backmeetings 📅 16 Nov 2026 The "NECCTON Final Stakeholders Workshop " will take place at Concertgebouw Brugge More info: wcmb2026.org/back-back-me... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @neccton.bsky.social @mercatorocean.bsky.social @horizoneu.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

#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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

#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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

#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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

#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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

#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...

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

#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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

#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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

#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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

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

wcmb2026.org

Back-to-back meetings

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

More information: wcmb2026.org/social-progr... Donate an item: form.vliz.be/en/form/wcmb... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

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.

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

✈️🌍 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

wcmb2026.org

Travel

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

A few key figures: We received 1297 abstracts 454 abstracts were accepted for oral presentations 197 abstracts were accepted for poster presentations @vliz.be @unoceandecade.bsky.social

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

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.

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

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#...

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

#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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

#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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

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

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7th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity @wcmb2026.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

*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

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