*Call for expressions of interest to host the 6th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC6)* *2020*
>From 24 to 29 June 2018, more than 700 marine conservationists from all disciplines and from across the globe will convene in Kuching, Malaysia for the 5th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC5) and the second iteration of OceansOnline. While we are greatly looking forward to these events, the most important global meetings for marine conservation and online advocacy for the ocean, we already have an eye on the 6th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC6) and the third iteration of OceansOnline. These meetings will take place in in 2020. We are now ready to receive expressions of interest to host the IMCC6 and OceansOnline 3. One or more of these expressions of interest will then be requested to submit a fuller proposal. Hosted by the Marine Section of The Society for Conservation Biology, the International Marine Conservation Congress brings together conservation professionals and students to develop new and powerful tools to further marine conservation science and policy. OceansOnline focuses on how marine scientists, conservationists, and educators can use internet tools for research, collaboration, and public outreach. Both are open to anyone interested in marine science or conservation topics. For these events, the organisers are interested in reaching out to new communities and going to a city where we have not hosted a meeting before. While we are interested in hearing expressions of interest from any country, we would especially like to encourage interest from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania as we have not yet held an IMCC in these regions. Expressions of interest need to demonstrate that local hosts have access to a suitable venue; strong support from local organisations and government; good connections to universities, industry, and research organisations in the country and region; and solid financial support. We envision IMCC6 and OceansOnline 3 taking a similar format to their previous iterations, so please take a look at the websites for IMCC4 <http://conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2016> and IMCC5 <http://www.imcc5.com>. The days prior and subsequent to the congress will involve hosting of workshops, training sessions, and field trips. If your organisation, institution, or locality is interested in hosting IMCC6 and OceansOnline3, please send an initial expression of interest of no more than 1000 words and 2 images/tables to [email protected].
