17-18 October 2026 — Pre-Conference Workshops
19-23 October 2026 — Main Conference
Centro de Convenciones Pedro Roselló González
San Juan, Puerto Rico
17-18 October 2026
Pre-Conference Workshops
19-23 October 2026
Main Conference
Centro de Convenciones Pedro Roselló González
San Juan, Puerto Rico
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.
Conference registration is now open! Take advantage of early-bird rates available until June 24, 2026. While registering, be sure to sign up for workshops and local tours—spaces are limited and filling quickly, so secure your spot today.
ATTENTION PRESENTERS: If you submitted an abstract for SMM2026 and accepted your invitation to present, you should have received an email with your program session details. If you did not receive this email, you can access the information by returning to the abstract submission page, where your accepted presentation status and session assignment are available.
"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.
Conference registration is now open! Take advantage of early-bird rates available until June 24, 2026. While registering, be sure to sign up for workshops and local tours—spaces are limited and filling quickly, so secure your spot today.
ATTENTION PRESENTERS: If you submitted an abstract for SMM2026 and accepted your invitation to present, you should have received an email with your program session details. If you did not receive this email, you can access the information by returning to the abstract submission page, where your accepted presentation status and session assignment are available.
"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
Joanna Alfaro
PhD | Managing Director, ProDelphinus
Bob Bonde
PhD | U.S. Geological Survey
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
Joanna Alfaro
PhD | Managing Director, ProDelphinus
Bob Bonde
PhD | U.S. Geological Survey
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
Get to know SMM2026 with the Schedule-at-a-Glance—an easy snapshot of the conference, from workshops to keynote plenaries, sessions, and events.
The Dr. Pedro Rosselló González Puerto Rico Convention Center (or Centro de Convenciones de Puerto Rico in Spanish), is a located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. With a total space of 600,000-square-foot (55,742 m2), it is the largest convention center in the Caribbean and one of the most technologically advanced in the Americas.
Join us in October 2026 for the 26th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals!
Set on the beautiful and historic Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, this marks the first time our Biennial Conference will be hosted in Latin America—a proud milestone celebrating the region’s vital role in marine mammal science and conservation. This conference will highlight the remarkable efforts across Latin America to study and protect marine mammals.
Make the most of your conference experience by exploring everything Puerto Rico has to offer! Discover premium tours and experiences available through conference registration.
World’s Premier Marine Mammal Science Conference
This is the first time in the Society’s history that the event will take place in Latin America.
SMM2026 SPONSORSHIP AND EXHIBITION PROSPECTUS
We are actively fundraising to ensure the 26th meeting is an outstanding international success.
Our prospectus presents sponsorship and exhibition opportunities designed to maximize your organization’s visibility and engagement with our worldwide community of scientists, NGOs, government, and industry leaders. Sponsorship places your brand at the forefront of the world’s largest gathering dedicated to marine mammal science and conservation, positioning your organization as a trusted leader in advancing ocean sustainability.
World’s Premier Marine Mammal Science Conference
This is the first time in the Society’s history that the event will take place in Latin America.
SMM2026 SPONSORSHIP AND EXHIBITION PROSPECTUS
We are actively fundraising to ensure the 26th meeting is an outstanding international success.
Our prospectus presents sponsorship and exhibition opportunities designed to maximize your organization’s visibility and engagement with our worldwide community of scientists, NGOs, government, and industry leaders. Sponsorship places your brand at the forefront of the world’s largest gathering dedicated to marine mammal science and conservation, positioning your organization as a trusted leader in advancing ocean sustainability.
Your support also advances social responsibility goals, including United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
To view the official conference prospectus, click the image:
