17-18 October 2026 — Pre-Conference Workshops
19-23 October 2026 — Main Conference
Centro de Convenciones Pedro Roselló González
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Early bird rates have ended, but registration is still open.
Don’t miss your opportunity to connect with the
global marine mammal science community.
17-18 October 2026
Pre-Conference Workshops
19-23 October 2026
Main Conference
Centro de Convenciones Pedro Roselló González
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Early bird rates have ended, but registration is still open.
Don’t miss your opportunity to connect with the
global marine mammal science community.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
We are delighted to officially invite you to the 26th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, which will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from 19-23 October 2026. This will be a landmark event—the first SMM biennial conference in Latin America—celebrating the region’s key role in advancing marine mammal science and conservation.
The conference will take place at the Centro de Convenciones Pedro Rosselló González, centrally located in Isla Grande, San Juan, with pre-conference workshops on 17–18 October.
ONE OCEAN, ONE FUTURE:
Advancing Marine Mammal Science for Ecosystem Health
Our theme, “One Ocean, One Future,” underscores our shared responsibility to advance marine mammal science amid growing human pressures. It calls for stronger global partnerships, innovative research, and timely, evidence-based action to ensure healthy oceans for all.
IMPORTANT UPDATES FOR PRESENTERS: Please review the updated Guidance for Presenters page for important information about presentation formats, presentation upload requirements, deadlines, on-site presentation procedures, and poster specifications. Presentations may be uploaded in advance until September 30, 2026.
"Our biennial conference will bring together a global community to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and drive progress in research and conservation. In 2026, the 26th Biennial Conference will make history as the Society’s first meeting in Latin America, hosted in San Juan, Puerto Rico."
— Jeremy Kiszka,
President, Society for Marine Mammalogy
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
We are delighted to officially invite you to the 26th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, which will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from 19-23 October 2026. This will be a landmark event—the first SMM biennial conference in Latin America—celebrating the region’s key role in advancing marine mammal science and conservation.
The conference will take place at the Centro de Convenciones Pedro Rosselló González, centrally located in Isla Grande, San Juan, with pre-conference workshops on 17–18 October.
ONE OCEAN, ONE FUTURE:
Advancing Marine Mammal Science for Ecosystem Health
Our theme, “One Ocean, One Future,” underscores our shared responsibility to advance marine mammal science amid growing human pressures. It calls for stronger global partnerships, innovative research, and timely, evidence-based action to ensure healthy oceans for all.
IMPORTANT UPDATES FOR PRESENTERS: Please review the updated Guidance for Presenters page for important information about presentation formats, presentation upload requirements, deadlines, on-site presentation procedures, and poster specifications. Presentations may be uploaded in advance until September 30, 2026.
"Our biennial conference will bring together a global community to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and drive progress in research and conservation. In 2026, the 26th Biennial Conference will make history as the Society’s first meeting in Latin America, hosted in San Juan, Puerto Rico."
— Jeremy Kiszka,
President, Society for Marine Mammalogy
Laura May-Collado
PhD | Associate Professor, The University of Vermont; Research Associate, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Bob Bonde
PhD | U.S. Geological Survey
Joanna Alfaro
PhD | Managing Director, ProDelphinus
Fernando Elorriaga-Verplancken
PhD | Professor (Full), National Polytechnic Institute
Jorge Velez-Juarbe
PhD | Associate Curator, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Laura May-Collado
PhD | Associate Professor, The University of Vermont; Research Associate, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Bob Bonde
PhD | U.S. Geological Survey
Joanna Alfaro
PhD | Managing Director, ProDelphinus
Fernando Elorriaga-Verplancken
PhD | Professor (Full), National Polytechnic Institute
Jorge Velez-Juarbe
PhD | Associate Curator, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Get to know SMM2026 with the Schedule-at-a-Glance—an easy snapshot of the conference, from workshops to keynote plenaries, sessions, and events.
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CONFERENCE NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest SMM2026 conference news and announcements, including program updates, important deadlines, travel information, and other details to help you prepare for your time in San Juan.
Puerto Rico’s Hurricane Season: Preparedness and Perspective
Dear SMM community, Puerto Rico, like other destinations throughout the Caribbean and southeastern United States, is within the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 through November 30. While SMM2026 will take place during this period, being within hurricane season does not mean that a storm is expected to affect Puerto Rico or the Conference. NOAA’s … Read More
Read MoreWater Conditions in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Dear SMM community, Some of you have seen news coverage of the water rationing affecting parts of metropolitan San Juan, which has raised some concerns from our community. Here are some important facts to consider. Puerto Rico is experiencing its driest conditions in over a century, and the water authority (PRASA) has implemented rotating 48-hour … Read More
Read More