The International Marine Conservation Congress
About IMCC
The International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC) is the flagship conference of the Society for Conservation Biology Marine Program and the world’s leading interdisciplinary gathering dedicated to advancing marine conservation science, policy, and practice.
Held every two years in locations around the world, IMCC brings together marine scientists, conservation practitioners, policymakers, Indigenous and local community leaders, educators, students, artists, journalists, philanthropists, and decision-makers to share knowledge, build partnerships, and develop solutions to the world’s most pressing ocean challenges.
Since its inception in 2009, IMCC has grown into a globally recognized forum where science is translated into action. The congress serves as a catalyst for collaboration across disciplines and sectors, fostering new research partnerships, informing policy, supporting early-career professionals, and advancing equitable and community-centered approaches to marine conservation.
More than a Scientific Conference
IMCC is a platform for dialogue, innovation, and impact. Each congress features:
Scientific presentations & symposia
Hands-on workshops & professional development opportunities
Policy & governance discussions
Community & Indigenous perspectives
Arts, storytelling, & creative engagement
Networking & mentorship opportunities
Collaborative action to address emerging conservation challenges
A defining legacy of IMCC is its commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable marine conservation community. Through initiatives that support participation from historically underrepresented regions, elevate diverse voices and knowledge systems, and create opportunities for students and early-career professionals, IMCC has helped shape global conversations on justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and community-led conservation. Many collaborations, publications, networks, and conservation initiatives have their roots in discussions and partnerships formed at IMCC.
Each congress builds upon this legacy by connecting people, ideas, and disciplines to ensure that marine conservation science informs real-world action for healthy oceans and thriving coastal communities.
The 8th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC8) is a global gathering focused on advancing science-based solutions for ocean conservation. IMCC8 will take place in Edinburgh, Scotland, from November 13-17, 2026 at the Edinburgh International Conference Center (EICC).
Hosted by the Society for Conservation Biology Global Marine Program, the congress brings together hundreds of marine scientists, conservation practitioners, policymakers, educators, students, artists, journalists, and community leaders working across research, policy, management, communication, and community engagement.
The goal is to connect marine science with action for the planet and its peoples.
History of IMCC
The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) was founded in 1985 to advance the science and practice of conserving Earth’s biological diversity. As marine conservation emerged as a distinct and rapidly growing discipline, SCB recognized the need for a dedicated global community focused on addressing the unique challenges facing the world’s oceans.
Following the success of the first (1997) and second (2001) Symposia on Marine Conservation Biology, which demonstrated the growing global community of scientists and practitioners dedicated to advancing marine conservation science, research, and public policy, a group of marine professionals established the Society for Conservation Biology Marine Program to provide a permanent home for the discipline of marine conservation biology.
Building on this momentum, the first International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC1) was held in 2009, bringing together approximately 1,200 delegates from around the world. IMCC established a new model for interdisciplinary collaboration, uniting scientists, conservation practitioners, policymakers, educators, communicators, and community leaders to bridge the gap between marine science and conservation action.
Following the success of IMCC1, the International Marine Conservation Think Tank, held in December 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand, brought together international leaders in marine conservation to reflect on the future of the field and the role of IMCC in advancing it. Participants identified emerging priorities for marine conservation science, strengthened international collaborations, and developed recommendations to enhance the impact of future congresses and the broader SCB Marine Program. The Think Tank helped shape the evolution of IMCC as a global platform for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, informing policy, promoting innovation, and translating science into effective conservation action.
Today, the SCB Marine Program serves as a global hub for advancing marine conservation science, research, policy, and practice. Its flagship event, the biennial International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC), brings together marine scientists, conservation practitioners, policymakers, educators, students, Indigenous and local community leaders, artists, communicators, philanthropists, and decision-makers from around the world to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and accelerate solutions for ocean conservation.
Over the past decade and a half, IMCC has grown into the world’s leading interdisciplinary marine conservation conference. Beyond advancing science, its legacy includes catalyzing international collaborations, informing conservation policy, supporting the next generation of conservation leaders, promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, elevating community-led conservation, and inspiring tangible conservation action for healthy oceans and thriving coastal communities.