The 59th annual AMSA conference, will be held from July 13-17, 2025, in Naarm, Melbourne, Victoria. Victoria is home to a long history of marine science, with Budj Bim National Park, a UNESCO word heritage area, having the oldest known aquaculture network in the world. Universities in Victoria also have a long history of harmony through collaboration with the Victorian Marine Science Consortium established in the late 1990’s provided state-of-the-art facilities for collaboration in a wide aspect of marine science including ecology, oceanography and biology. Victoria was the first state to establish a network of marine national parks, with Port Phillip Heads, Wilsons Promontory and Bunurong marine national parks all established in 2002 to protect a diverse range of habitats including sponge gardens, kelp forests, and seagrass meadows.

The theme ‘Harmony in Marine Systems’ aims to integrate Indigenous and Western knowledge systems, foster collaboration among scientists, policymakers, managers, and industry leaders. Together, we will explore how to enable science, the economy, and the environment to thrive for future generations. Our goal is to better understand the dynamic nature of marine environments and address the need for adaptive strategies in the face of global changes. We will highlight the advancements in solutions such as restoration efforts and the blue economy, while also investigating potential challenges that our unique ecosystems face currently and in the future.

The AMSA 2025 conference will be held at the Sofitel Hotel, right in the heart of the Melbourne CBD. This amazing venue is in close proximity to plenty of accommodation, restaurants, pubs, bars, and entertainment options, all easily accessible by public transport. And of course, being the coffee capital of Australia, there are plenty of cafés to enjoy in the morning. Extending your stay for the weekend will also allow you to explore some of the most iconic coastlines in Australia including the Great Ocean Road, the penguin parade at Phillip Island, diving with dragons around the many piers of Port Phillip Bay, or camping and hiking with wombats down at Wilsons Promontory.

We can’t wait to see you in Naarm, Melbourne!