Summary

The National Seminar on Marine Sciences and Technologies - SENALMAR - is a biennial academic initiative unique in Colombia. Since 1969 this seminar has brought together experts in marine sciences, during 4 days of scientific and academic congress, in order to expose, discuss and socialize the most representative advances in this sector at national and international level.

In this scenario the protagonists are the students, scientists, teachers and researchers who develop science at different scales and regions of the Colombian territory, because their research projects make up the academic agenda of the event in oral and poster presentation modalities. All projects presented at SENALMAR undergo a rigorous qualification process carried out by the event's Superior Scientific Committee, a group represented by different national entities leaders in the field of education and research.

Throughout the history of SENALMAR, coastal and inland cities have hosted this meeting, providing from local perspectives the necessary inputs to discuss the most urgent issues of the regions, as well as motivating the participation of different academic, private and public entities around marine and coastal issues.

In this way we seek to promote the creation and dissemination of Colombian science, ensuring the updating of knowledge, the linkage of private and public enterprise towards the analysis of current issues that contribute to the sustainable development of the oceans and coastal areas. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the National Seminar on Marine Sciences and Technologies, SENALMAR, it has been proposed the development of a panel discussion with invited experts from the 7 thematic areas of the event where the most representative questions about the evolution of these ocean sciences in recent years and the most urgent challenges facing the Decade of Ocean Sciences will be addressed.

Background

In the 1960s, the national scientific and academic community needed a space for interaction, dissemination, discussion and analysis of the activities related to marine sciences and technologies that were being carried out in the country. Therefore, in 1971 the National Seminar on Marine Sciences and Technologies -SENALMAR- was created, with the National Pre-Seminar on Marine Sciences and Technologies in Cartagena de Indias, gathering 65 participants. This initiative was organized by the Colombian Commission of Oceanography (today Colombian Ocean Commission), COLCIENCIAS and the Directorate of Merchant Marine (today General Maritime Directorate - DIMAR).

Since then SENALMAR has been held biennially in different cities of the country in order to be a scenario for scientific dissemination and to promote the discussion of the most relevant issues of marine sciences for the academic, scientific and private community. This event is aligned with the National Ocean and Coastal Spaces Policy - PNOEC, highlighting the importance of developing, strengthening and supporting strategic lines of research in the thematic areas related to marine science and technology.

More information: https://senalmar.com/