GulfCon 2026

Researchers, environmental managers, and policymakers use information to make important decisions about the environment and inform restoration activities, among a great many other things. While several applications and data portals have been developed to address the wealth of information that has been generated, we have yet to answer the question of how to integrate, synthesize, and distribute the information now available to effectively inform environmental management, restoration efforts, future response strategies, community members, and Gulf research priorities.  

Further, how can we foster more trans-disciplinary and cooperative approaches to science, decision-making, and community engagement? Data on its own will not fulfil the need and must be synthesized and served to the many Gulf audiences in a clear and compelling way if we are to achieve the goal of turning information into insight. Existing analyses and tools can be powerful instruments in effectively communicating science, and efforts are underway to develop a data management framework to support more efficient aggregation, integration, and synthesis of information in the future.  

Session proposals should explore and highlight notable data synthesis, data integration, and data display efforts as well as underscore some of the difficulties in compiling data and publishing synthesis concepts.  

Methods in science education, communication, engagement, and extension are rapidly evolving, providing opportunities to reimagine effective methods of collaboration, communication, and engagement with youth and adults.   

Session proposals may include:  

• innovative technologies in science education 

• citizen science research 

• building public trust through communication and extension 

• creating diverse and equitable science education opportunities 

• integrating virtual learning strategies into programming 

• innovative stakeholder engagement with a focus on novel approaches to inform resource management 

• social media in education and research 

Water quality, quantity, and management are of utmost importance to the Gulf ecosystem. The Gulf is vast and water quality patterns and trends are highly variable, both in space and time. Human activities (e.g., water use, excess nutrient inputs, sediment diversions, oil production, derelict fishing gear, etc.) and natural disturbances (e.g., storms, flooding, etc.) influence the water quality and quantity of the coastal environments within the Gulf, many of which lead to changes in physical, chemical, and biological conditions.  

Session proposals should highlight science, monitoring and data management, and related resource management challenges brought on by water quality and quantity such as:  

• freshwater flow 

• coastal inundation and flooding 

• sediment and nutrient loadings 

• harmful algal blooms  

• hypoxic events 

• blue carbon 

• impacts to living resources 

• social media in education and research 

Effective habitat management and restoration in the Gulf is critical for the sustainability of its many living resources (including human populations). Addressing threats and stressors to coastal habitats and living coastal marine resources is a cornerstone of ecosystem restoration. There is a great need to understand how habitat management and restoration support the long-term development of community structure and function and how human linkages and behaviors impact project success.  

In particular, we seek to answer, “How do we identify and develop indicators of ecosystem restoration success?” and “What do the history and future of habitat restoration in the Gulf (broadly or by habitat type) look like?”  

This topic invites sessions on: 

• restoration of Gulf habitats and ecosystems (coastal zone uplands to deep benthic communities) 

• restoration indicators 

• ecological thresholds and targets 

• restoration in a changing climate  

• living shorelines 

• monitoring and mapping habitats 

• oil spill impacts on habitat 

• habitat modeling 

• Integrated Ecosystem Assessments 

• Marine Protected Areas 

Living Resources encompasses terrestrial and aquatic organisms ranging from bacteria to megafauna. Management of these important and sometimes understudied resources is complicated by insufficient data on biology, ecology, and poorly understood vulnerability to various threats and stressors, including anthropogenic impacts. Complex and diverse life histories, population trends, and responses to natural and anthropogenic stressors have and will remain the focus of science and management to correctly guide policy decisions. This conference theme encourages session proposals involving any of the above topics. 

As investments are made to promote the recovery, restoration and protection of the Gulf Coast’s ecosystems and economies, sound science is needed to develop systems-level, integrated strategies that support local, state, and regional planning; adaptive management; and science-based decision-making. At the same time, for successful application of science it is important for the scientific community to understand the needs of managers and policy makers and the roles of science in informing decisions and practices.  

The purpose of this topic is to highlight the nexus between science, policy-making, and improved management. Session proposals should highlight work connecting science (socio-economic, and ecological research and monitoring) to advancing policy-making and adaptive management, bridging science to management, knowledge to action, the present and future of energy planning, and could provide examples of co-production work and or activities. 

The Gulf, threatened by coastal land loss, degraded habitat and water quality, population growth, and increasing development, is extremely vulnerable to impacts of climate change. Extreme air temperatures, warmer ocean water, sea level rise, and increased intensity and frequency of hurricanes and major storms all exacerbate the ecological, financial, and societal stresses that coastal communities in the Gulf face every day.  

Session proposals will explore the science and research needed to develop and implement climate adaptation, mitigation, and resiliency strategies. This includes:  

• ocean and coastal acidification 

• modeling climate change impact scenarios 

• modeling and its integration into resource management and planning 

• monitoring and mapping 

• addressing impacts on communities disproportionately impacted by climate change 

Coastal ocean processes and physical oceanography encompass a wide range of dynamic phenomena, including tidal currents, wave-driven circulation, and estuarine mixing. These processes are critical for understanding sediment transport, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem health in nearshore environments. For example, studies of upwelling systems and internal wave propagation reveal how physical forces influence biological productivity and climate interactions. Together, these topics highlight the interconnected nature of coastal and global ocean dynamics, offering vital insights for advancing marine science.   

Session proposals may explore: 

• tidal dynamics and coastal circulation modeling for habitat restoration and flood risk management 

• wave-driven sediment transport 

• shoreline morphology in support of coastal erosion management 

• upwelling systems and their impact on fisheries 

• advances in remote sensing of coastal ocean processes for real-time decision support 

Environmental conditions, natural, and other systems drivers are changing in the Gulf region. Whether due to natural or man-made conditions, scientists and resource managers must study, understand, and address emerging environmental issues to ensure effective planning and management.  

Session proposals will include research, management, and response considerations concerning issues such as:  

• international collaboration 

• nearshore and open ocean aquaculture 

• marine debris 

• artificial reefs 

• current and future challenges 

• proactive management measures 

• innovative technologies 

• research to increase understanding of potential ecosystem impacts  

• topics not covered in other sessions 

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Open  

7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sponsor Exhibits Open 

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Rise and Shine: Poster Session and Breakfast 

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Opening Plenary  

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Networking Break 

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Concurrent Scientific Sessions  

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own) 

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Concurrent Scientific Sessions  

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Networking Break 

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Concurrent Scientific Sessions 

Facilitated Breakout Discussions: Where Can Science, Policy, and Management Intersect 

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Tools Café and Reception 

7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Open  

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sponsor Exhibits Open 

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Rise and Shine: Poster Session and Breakfast 

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Plenary  

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Networking Break  

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Concurrent Scientific Sessions  

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own) 

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Concurrent Scientific Sessions  

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Networking Break 

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Concurrent Scientific Sessions 

Facilitated Breakout Discussions: Where Can Science, Policy, and Management Intersect 

7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration/Information Desk 

7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Sponsor Exhibits Open 

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Rise and Shine: Poster Session and Breakfast 

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Concurrent Scientific Sessions 

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Networking Break  

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Concurrent Scientific Sessions  

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own) 

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Concurrent Scientific Sessions  

Facilitated Breakout Discussions: Where Can Science, Policy, and Management Intersect  

Gulf of America Alliance Team Meetings 

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Networking Break 

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Concurrent Scientific Sessions 

Facilitated Breakout Discussions: Where Can Science, Policy, and Management Intersect  

Gulf of America Alliance Team Meetings 

5:00 p.m. – Adjourn