Connect with the latest in seaweed research and product development at the world's largest seaweed industry symposium in February 2023.
The International Seaweed Symposium (ISS) will be held from 19–24 February in Hobart, Tasmania, and online. The full program has now been released, featuring 450 presentations with 6 concurrent sessions and 150 poster presentations.
The theme for the 24th ISS is ‘Seaweeds in a changing world’. Presentations will focus on ongoing changes in seaweed aquaculture practices, industrial processing, future products and markets, local and global environmental change, and scientific advances that are advancing knowledge about how seaweeds function.
ISS 2023 co-chair Dr Catriona Hurd says registrations have already exceeded expectations, as the symposium returns after a COVID-19 induced delay. The symposium is the major event of the International Seaweed Association, which has been operating for more than 70 years. It is normally held every three years. This year's event was initially scheduled for 2022.
“This event is the leading international forum for scientists and industry participants, working together to develop the seaweed industry globally," says Dr Hurd.
Australia is hosting the event for the first time in its history, and it will be held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart, Tasmania.
There will be 3 pre-symposium workshops on Sunday 19 February that delegates can register for separately:
How will biota respond to a changing ocean? A best practice guide for multiple drivers research
Towards a strategy for a global effort to address fundamental gaps in seaweed taxonomic knowledge
Charting a global agenda for kelp restoration
[Read more: Summit to set global kelp forest restoration target]
After the official welcome event on 19 February, ISS sessions will run over 4 days, with a mid-event rest day to allow participants to explore the local environment and social activities.
Keynote speakers represent global leaders in seaweed research and development from Denmark, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Madagascar, Australia and New Zealand.
Topics of concurrent sessions include kelp forest restoration, ocean change and climate mitigation, carbon sequestration, seaweed ecosystems, taxonomy diversity and evolution.
Market outlooks and opportunities will be presented in sessions looking specifically at the industry in Australia, as well as Australia-China collaborations, international markets, tropical seaweed aquaculture and biosecurity issues.
There will also be diverse presentations across the seaweed supply chain, from farming, harvesting and downstream processing, to end-use products ranging from bioplastics, textiles, food additives, healthcare, animal feeds and agricultural biostimulants.
All presentations will be recorded, and access to the recordings will be available for up to 3 months following the ISS. Single day registrations are also available for on-site attendance, with access to recordings on the day of registration.
Major sponsors for the event include the Tasmanian Government, University of Tasmania, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre.
To register or for more information visit ISS 2023.