80th Annual Conference

Call for Program Content

Scheduling Note: 

The SEAFWA program pattern is shifting and will officially begin on Tuesday, October 27th, and will adjourn at noon on Friday, October 30th. The Concurrent Technical Program and Organized Symposia will begin on Wednesday afternoon, and continue through Friday noon, when the conference adjourns.

About the Scientific Program

The scientific program will consist of three types of sessions:

• Organized Symposia – A series of integrated presentations that address aspects of a single topic or theme.
• Contributed Oral Presentations – 20-minute individual oral presentations that are grouped into thematic sessions based on selected disciplines: Fisheries; Wildlife; Law Enforcement; Legal; and Marketing/ R3/ Communications.
• Poster Presentations – printed poster showcased as part of the Poster Session.

Call for Symposia – Now Open; Deadline: May 1st

An Organized Symposium is a series of integrated presentations that addresses aspects of a single topic or theme, and should be an innovative idea on a timely subject. Symposia will be included as part of the technical program and will run concurrently with the general contributed sessions. All individual presentations within a symposium, including those that have been invited, need to submit abstracts through the online call for abstracts. 

Responsibilities of Symposia Organizers: Organizers are responsible for coordinating with the Program Committee, planning their session, selecting presenters, moderating their symposium, and adhering to all deadlines. SEAFWA does not pay registration fees, travel expenses, or honoraria for symposium organizers or presenters; and everyone must register for the conference.

Submit a Proposal

Related Meeting Requests – will be available soon

Related meeting requests will be available for committees and working groups, universities, organizations, agencies, and others interested in holding a meeting or social function in association with the 80th Annual SEAFWA Conference. 

• The Plenary Session is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28th from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Related meetings will not be scheduled during this time.
• The schedule-at-a-glance and program information is available at https://seafwa.org/conference/2026#schedule  Updates will be made on a regular basis.
• Specific room assignments for related meetings and other functions will not be assigned or published until closer to the event date.
• Specific arrangements for any events involving food and beverage are to be coordinated directly with the hotel. Information regarding menus, a/v, and set-up needs will be provided.
• Please also note that all related meeting participants must pre-register for the Conference, which will be available online via the website, starting in mid-August.  Please inform all meeting/function members of this policy.
• Delaney Event Management will be coordinating the schedule: Email to: meg@delaneymeetingevent.com. For questions, call: 802-448-9065

Call for Presentation Abstracts – will open mid May

The Call for Presentation Abstracts will open in mid-May for an individual presentation within an Organized Symposium, for a General Contributed Session, or a Poster.

Online Submission Form: The submission form will prompt you for the following details:

• Presentation Title
• Presentation Type*
• Authors
• Abstract (300 words)
• Topic Selection

*For Presentation Type you may submit an individual presentation abstract for either: 

1. Oral Presentation - General Contributed Paper - a 20-minute presentation, to be assigned to a general contributed track (Track options include: Wildlife, Fisheries, or Outreach & Education/R3)
2. Oral Presentation - Part of Symposium - an individual presentation to be included as part of an Organized Symposium (Overviews of the accepted symposia are posted to the conference website for reference.) 
3. Poster Display - printed display to be showcased during the Poster Session 

* Presenting authors must be registered and pay applicable registration fees for the conference on the day of their scheduled presentation.

NOTE: SEAFWA Journal Submission Process & Instructions are available here.

Important Dates

• Call for Symposia: Open; Deadline: May 1st
• Call for Abstracts for oral presentations and posters: Open by mid-May
• Accepting related meeting requests: Open by mid-May