Scientific meeting will address oceanographic themes of estuarine and coastal ecosystems in the Latin American region.

Puerto Varas prepares to receive, for the first time in Chile, III Latin American Congress on the Physics of Estuaries and Oceanic Coasts (LAPECO 2025), which will take place between 24 and 28 November at the Wyndham Pettra Hotel. This outstanding international body will bring together researchers, professionals and representatives of the productive sector to address the scientific advances and challenges associated with oceanographic processes in estuarine systems and coastal areas.

LAPECO 2025 is organized jointly by the I-Mar Center of the University of Los Lagos, the University of Concepción, the University of Bío-Bío, the University of Florida, the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG) and the Technological Institute of Salmon (Intesal). The congress includes master exhibitions, oral presentations, poster sessions and technical workshops.

“We invite the scientific community, producing companies, suppliers, professionals in the area and all those interested in better understanding the themes associated with the oceanographic processes of estuarine systems and the oceanic coastal zone, so relevant to our sector. In addition, they are invited to present research summaries as part of the scientific program of the Congress,” explained Esteban Ramírez, General Manager of Intestal.

Dr. Iván Pérez Santos, researcher at the I-Mar Center of the University of Los Lagos, highlighted that LAPECO was inspired by the biennial physics conferences of Estuary and Coastal Seas (PECS), high-level international events in which Latin American participation has been historically low. In this context, “the LAPECO Congress emerges as a Latin American initiative to bring together students and researchers with the main objective of sharing the advances in dynamic knowledge of our estuaries and coastal zones, threatened by climate change and variability,” he said.

The first edition of LAPEO was held in Florianópolis, Brazil in 2019, followed by a second edition in Panama City in 2023. In both meetings, pre-congress courses were held and the papers presented contributed to publications in high-impact scientific journals. “Our LAPECO is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the physical and biophysical dynamics of our fjords and channels, helping to improve the economic operations that develop in this ecosystem,” Pérez Santos added.

From Brazil, Dr. Debora Gadelha, of the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), highlighted the educational value of the event, noting that “LAPECO represents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs, teachers and students from all over Latin America. A congress like this not only promotes the exchange of scientific knowledge, but also strengthens networks among young researchers and ocean professionals. Spaces like LAPECO are essential to inspire new people generations committed to science, sustainability and the future of our seas.”

The Organizing Committee is already actively working on the preparations and the opening of the call for abstracts will be announced shortly, as well as the formal formation of the Scientific Committee, charged with drawing up the final programme of the congress.

For more information and details about LAPECO 2025, visit the official website of the event  https://lapeco.sciencesconf.org/?lang=en