On September 14–17, 2026, the Primorsky Aquarium (Branch of the NSCMB FEB RAS) hosted the First International Scientific and Practical Conference “Ocean Conservation through Education and Research” (OCER-2026), dedicated to the 10th anniversary оf the Primorsky Aquarium.
The four-day conference was attended by 92 specialists representing more than 20 scientific, educational, and environmental organizations, museums, and public aquariums. Eighty participants delivered oral and poster presentations, while another six presentations were presented in digital format. The event attracted participants from Vladivostok, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Sevastopol, Kazan, and other Russian cities, as well as specialists from Singapore and China.
The conference participants included employees of several institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, N.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, St. Petersburg State University, Far Eastern Federal University, the Museum of the World Ocean, the Primorsky Aquarium, Moskvarium, and other institutions. Bringing together specialists in fundamental marine biology and practical operations of public aquariums was a distinctive feature of OCER-2026. The work of the conference participants has covered three areas: "Fundamental Research in Marine Biology," "Science in Oceanariums," and "Ethics of Careful Animal Care."
The topics of the presentations included the biodiversity and ecology of marine organisms, parasitology, genetics, impact of climatic and anthropogenic factors on marine ecosystems, and ocean literacy, as well as husbandry, reproduction, veterinary care and welfare of animals. Significant attention was paid to practical aspects of public aquarium operations, specifically, to the maintenance and modernization of life-support systems, gas dynamics in aquarium systems, and reproduction and demonstration of hydrobionts.
The exchange of practical experience among oceanariums was of particular interest. Specialists from the Museum of the World Ocean have presented the results of the first year of operation of the aquarium exhibit at the new "Planet Ocean" complex in Kaliningrad. The presentation highlighted the long-standing professional collaboration of the Museum with the Primorsky Aquarium and the assistance provided by the Aquarium’s specialists in the course of the preparation and launch of the new complex.
As part of the conference, specialists from China and Singapore held the next meeting with employees of the Primorsky Aquarium, focusing on cooperation under the program for the husbandry and breeding of gelatinous organisms (jellyfish and ctenophores).
The OCER-2026 program also featured guided tours of the Primorsky Aquarium, an open meeting with marine mammal specialists, and a poster session.
The organizers of the conference expect that OCER will become a regular platform for professional interaction among scientists and public aquarium specialists, exchange of practical experience, and development of collaborative research.
