At iMarCo26, organised by CIM-UVigo and the Institute of Marine Research-CSIC. The conference explores marine and freshwater connections and their role in the face of global change
Aquatic ecosystems know no boundaries: what happens in a river can have consequences for an estuary, the coast and even the open ocean. This global, interconnected perspective is at the heart of the 8th International Marine Connectivity Conference (iMarCo 2026), which opened in Vigo this Wednesday. Until 4 September, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Vigo (MARCO) will bring together leading experts from different countries to advance our understanding of aquatic ecosystem connectivity and explore responses to the effects of global change.
Organised by the Marine Research Centre of the University of Vigo (CIM-UVigo), in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Research-CSIC (IIM-CSIC), this year’s conference marks a particularly significant milestone: for the first time, iMarCo is expanding its traditionally marine focus to fully incorporate freshwater systems. Under the theme Connectivity across water realms for ecosystem resilience, the conference embraces an integrated vision of the so-called Aquatic Nexus, viewing freshwater and marine environments as parts of a single interconnected system.
Andreu Blanco, chair of the local organising committee and a researcher with CIM’s Future Oceans Lab, opened the conference by highlighting the three key questions at its core: how are aquatic systems connected, why do these connections matter, and how do they change over time?
“Connectivity does not stop at the coastline”
“Connectivity does not stop at the coastline. Rivers, estuaries, coastal habitats and the open ocean are all part of the same interconnected system,” Blanco stressed. This perspective will shape three days of intensive scientific exchange in which, as he explained, “we will move from freshwater to marine systems, from the drivers of change to the movements of individual organisms,” exploring connectivity across different scales and disciplines.
Elsa Vázquez, Dean of the Faculty of Marine Sciences at the University of Vigo, highlighted the significance of holding an event of this kind in Vigo, “a city whose history, culture and economy have been closely linked to the sea for centuries” and which, thanks to its location on Europe’s Atlantic coast, provides “a unique setting for marine research and innovation”.
Vázquez also stressed that conferences such as iMarCo provide an essential platform to “exchange knowledge, share experiences, establish new collaborations and foster innovation”. “As researchers, we have a responsibility not only to advance scientific knowledge, but also to ensure that our discoveries contribute to society and support evidence-based decision-making. Climate change, biodiversity loss, the sustainable management of resources, marine pollution and the transition towards a sustainable blue economy all require collaborative solutions that go beyond disciplines, institutions and national borders,” she emphasised.
Beatriz Novoa, Director of the Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC), closed the opening session by emphasising precisely this need to connect knowledge, disciplines and perspectives. “Marine and freshwater organisms cannot be studied in isolation. They are connected, they migrate, and there are processes of connectivity and energy flows,” she explained.
For Novoa, this integrated perspective is essential to address today’s major environmental challenges. She pointed to the Galician rías, and the Ría de Vigo in particular, as examples of the close relationship between human activities and the marine environment. “This connectivity must be present in the environment itself, but also in the way we study these highly fragile ecosystems,” she said.
The IIM-CSIC Director also encouraged participants to apply the very concept at the heart of iMarCo to the relationships they build over the coming days. “I hope connectivity will not only be present from a scientific perspective, but also throughout the conference itself. Make the most of these days to connect with one another and bring different disciplines together. This is one of the paths we must follow to protect our environment,” she concluded.
From freshwater to the ocean
The scientific programme of iMarCo 2026 is built around a broad understanding of aquatic connectivity, encompassing the exchange of organisms, nutrients, matter and energy between rivers, estuaries, coastal areas, seas and oceans. These processes play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning, species distribution, biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services.
This approach is reflected in three main sessions. The Aquatic Nexus: From Freshwater to Marine Effective Connectivityexplores connections between freshwater and marine systems; Drivers of Ecosystem Connectivity in a Changing Environment examines how climate change and other human pressures are altering when, where and how ecosystems are connected; and Species on the Move: Movement as a Driver of Ecological Connectivity focuses on individual organisms and their movements as drivers of ecological connectivity.
The conference also features plenary sessions delivered by internationally recognised experts, including Audrey M. Darnaude, from MARBEC – Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer and IRD (France); Jesse O’Hanley, from the University of Kent (United Kingdom); and Esben Moland Olsen, from the Institute of Marine Research – Flødevigen Research Station (Norway).
The programme is rounded out by scientific sessions, poster presentations, networking opportunities and specialised workshops. Topics also include tracking technologies for aquatic organisms, with contributions from researchers linked to the European Tracking Network (ETN). These technologies make it possible to study individual movements, migration patterns, habitat use and connections between different environments.
CIM holds Cigus accreditation from the Xunta de Galicia, recognising the quality and impact of its research, and its activities are co-funded by the European Union through the ERDF 2021–2027 programme.
Source: DUVI
