Greece to Host International Sandy Beach Symposium 2018

The 8th International Sandy Beach Symposium (ISBS) will take place between May 25-29, 2018, at the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture on the island of Crete.

Co-organized by Costa Nostrum, an organization which promotes the sustainable management and development of the Mediterranean beaches, the event aims to connect science and beach stakeholders.

“It is the first time that the symposium is taking place in a Mediterranean destination and the island of Crete is considered a perfect example of biodiversity and cultural heritage,” the organizers said in an announcement.

Taking place every three years, the symposium includes workshops that encourage the exchange of ideas and propose policies for the development of research and beach management. “Contributions from all sectors – biogeochemistry, animal behavior, biogeography, numerical modeling – in regards to the issue of sandy beaches are welcome,” the organizers said. “Scientists, researchers and beach managers are invited to participate and share research and good practices.”

The ecology of sandy beaches was established as a good practice in the 1980s by Dr. Anton McLachlan on the occasion of the first ISBS. South Africa, Chile, Spain and Brazil are among the countries that have hosted the symposium since then.

The event will be held at the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, which is part of the Hellenic Center for Marine Research and is located in Gournes in the area of Hersonissos on Crete.

The official language of the symposium is English. For more information visit the website www.isbs2018.wordpress.com.