Important dates:
Call for sessions and special sessions 19 Jan
Call for session suggestions close 13 Feb
Abstract submissions open 23 Jan
Registrations Open 16 Feb
Abstracts Close 28 April
Author Notification 13 May
Early Registration Discount Ends 29 May
The Marlborough District Council hosted the 2025 annual New Zealand Marine Sciences Society conference in Te Waiharakeke Blenheim which ran from the 7th – 1th July. The theme of this conference was He Tai Pari, The Rising Tide – As the sea surges towards the shore, we too must join the rising tide, working together to bring about a better future for our marine environment. The conference was opened with an address from Mayor Nadine Taylor, and keynote presentations from Raymond Smith (Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne, Ngāti Apa, Rongomaiwahine) and Professor Kura Paul-Burke (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Whakahemo, Ngāti Mākino, Ngāti Pūkeko, Irish, University of Waikato), and concluded with presentations from Professor Abby Smith (University of Otago) and Dan Hikuroa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngaati Whanaunga, Ngāti Mahuta, Pākehā), who all presented on the importance of understanding and connecting with our marine environment to manage ongoing and future impacts. 95 oral presentations and 20 posters were presented in sessions covering Climate Change, Blue Carbon Ecosystems, Anthropogenic Impacts, Restoration, Aquaculture, Soft Sediment ecology and everything in between, as well as a panel discussion addressing Marine Education across the Motu.
The annual conference in 2024 was held jointly with the Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) in Hobart, Tasmania from 15-20th September.
Read a review from Bob Hickman here: Bob Hickman’s conference recollections
The University of Wellington hosted the 2023 New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington which ran from the 26th – 28th of June. The conference was opened with presentations from Lee Rauhina-August and Mark Fenwick (Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika), Hon Rachel Brooking (Minister for Oceans and Fisheries) and Prof Louise Dixson (Dean of Science, Te Herenga Waka) along with plenary talks from Linda Faulkner and Saskia Foreman, who all contributed inspirational and thought-provoking perspectives. The engaging oral presentations and posters covered a broad range of topics, including Anthropogenic Impacts, Blue Carbon, Algae, Aquaculture, Fisheries, Marine Heatwaves, Oceanography, Risk and Uncertainty, Marine Management, Tropical, Deep Sea and Soft Sediment Ecosystems, Marine Mammals and Birds, Genetics and Taxonomy. These, in addition to the stimulating discussions and networking opportunities aplenty, rendered the conference an all-round success leaving participants energized and empowered.
AMSA – Australian Marine Sciences Association
ASPAB – Australasian Society for Phycology and Aquatic Botany
Aquaculture NZ – Aquaculture New Zealand
ICMB – International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions
MARGINS – a research initiative supported by the US National Science Foundation (now GeoPRISMS – Geodynamic Processes at Rifting and Subducting Margins)
METSOC – Meteorological Society of New Zeland
MESA NZ – Marine Education Society of Australasia, New Zealand Branch
LIMSOC – New Zealand Limnological Society (now NZFSS – New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society)
NZES – New Zealand Ecological Society
NZOWS – New Zealand Ocean Waves Society (now merged with NZCS – New Zealand Coastal Society)
NZSC – New Zealand Science Congress
OUMSS – University of Otago Marine Science Symposium
