This event is organized every two years, under the umbrella of the Word Seagrass Association, and gathers the whole international community working on seagrass biology and ecology. The ISBW started in 1994 in Japan and only once the event has been organized in the Mediterranean, 22 years ago. The Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN), which is the oldest marine station still in activity in the world, has now the honor to host the WSC & ISBW in Italy for the first time.

Seagrasses are among the main topics of the SZN research and the Institute represents the ideal place to convey scientists from all the Mediterranean countries and from all around the World, to foster the common effort to protect and save seagrass ecosystems, increasing knowledge on their biology, ecology and conservation.

The topic of WSC2024 and ISBW15, ‘Seagrasses in the Anthropocene’, comes from the knowledge that seagrass ecosystems are facing an accelerating human pressure at local and global scales. Environmental changes are transforming seagrass ecosystems into new configurations unlike anything observed before and returning to past configurations is no longer an option. Accordingly, further knowledge and innovative solutions combining novel technologies are required to secure the future of seagrasses and grant the delivery of ecological and economic benefits associated to seagrass ecosystems.

Researchers, students and professionals actively involved in the marine environment from all over the World will meet in the iconic city of Napoli. The city is the cradle of Italian culture, including literature, theatre, music and in particular, the cuisine. Napoli has been also recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site because of its monuments that best represent European and Mediterranean culture. The WSC2024 &ISBW15 congress will take place at the Complesso Monumentale di Santa Maria la Nova, a XIII century architectonic complex right in the historical city center, which represents a perfect example of Napoli essence and participant will have the possibility to easily dive in the Neapolitan culture and environment.

We will also offer to all participants different field trip options around the Gulf of Napoli, including the possibility of directly observing seagrass meadows in their own underwater environment and visiting important historical sites.