(P)ICES Symposium - Small Pelagic Fish and Forage Communities, La Paz, Mexico

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SPF-2026 aims to showcase recent advancements in SPF and forage communities research. By delving into topics encompassing ecology, population dynamics, climate and oceanic impacts, social-ecological systems, and sustainable management practices, the symposium promises to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and pave the way for informed decision-making in forage species conservation and utilization.

The symposium complements collaborative research conducted by the joint ICES/PICES Working Group on Sustainable Pelagic Forage Communities (PICES WG53 / ICES WGSPF) and has the potential to contribute meaningfully to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, serving as a platform for important discussions on how science can address the current needs for innovative fisheries management strategies and policy responses.
Register now for SPF-2026!

Navigating Changes in Small Pelagic Fish and Forage Communities:

Climate, Ecosystems, and Sustainable Fisheries

May 4–8, 2026 | La Paz, Mexico

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for SPF-2026.

Please visit the website for:

This year’s conference features the following topic sessions and workshops, with full program details available here.

Topic Sessions:

  • S1: Bridging the Gap: From Ecological Data and Models to Fisheries Decision-Making

  • S2: New Approaches for Assessment of Human Impacts Beyond Fisheries

  • S3: Life History Variation Across Space, Time, and Ontogeny: Implications for Populations, Ecosystems, and Fisheries

  • S4: Forage Fish and Food Webs: Trophic Dynamics of Small Pelagic Fish, from Freshwater to the Open Ocean

  • S5: Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Small Pelagic Fishes in a Changing Ocean

  • S6: Managing Small-Pelagic Fisheries within an Ecosystem Approach: Lessons, Challenges, and Outlook

  • S7: Integrating Social Metrics into Economic Growth Strategies for Small Pelagic Fisheries

  • S8: Maximizing Value and Sustainability in Small Pelagic Fisheries: Markets, Nutrition, and the Post-Harvest Sector

  • S9: Modeling Human Choices Regarding Harvest and Management of Small Pelagic Stocks

Workshops:

  • W1 : Conceptualizing a Vulnerability Analysis for Anthropogenic Stressors on Small Pelagic Fish Communities

  • W2 : Best Practices for Improving Assessment of Small Pelagic Fishes Using Environmental Indicators

  • W3 : Addressing Knowledge Gaps and Future-proofing Monitoring of Small Pelagic Communities Using Novel Methods and Technologies

  • W4 : Identifying Management- and Industry-informed Research Priorities for SPFs

  • W5 : Revisiting the Potential of Sedimentary Records: New Answers to Old (and Emerging) Questions on Forage Fish Ecology versus Climate Variability

  • W6 : Advancing Spatio-Temporal Species Distribution Models for Fish: Challenges, Methodologies, and Collaborative Solutions

  • W7 : Operationalizing Ecosystem-Based Management of Forage Species using Management Strategy Evaluation

  • W8 : Maximizing Nutrient Yield from Marine Ecosystems: Nutrition-sensitive Management Strategies Based on the Nutrient Composition of Small Pelagic Fish

We look forward to receiving your registration, submissions, and applications. Please contact us if you have any questions.

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