On Monday, October 20, the International Conference on Harmful Algae (ICHA) begins in Punta Arenas. This is the first time it will be held in our country, marking its twenty-first edition.
ICHA is the world’s leading conference on these events and is an initiative of the International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae (ISSHA). The main objective of this conference is to provide a platform to share the latest scientific and technological advances in the study of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)—from molecular biology to the use of satellite imagery. The event will bring together an international scientific audience of around 500 people, along with decision-makers from both the public and private sectors.
For this reason, it is worth highlighting the most relevant aspects we will see in the city of Punta Arenas, Chile. Organizing a scientific conference of such global importance has required strong efforts in planning and logistics, with the aim of delivering the best of the scientific world to researchers and to the local community through two educational and outreach activities. We will have seven plenary lectures addressing various topics of global interest, featuring national and international researchers with extensive experience in marine sciences. These talks will cover subjects ranging from cyanobacteria to the future of HABs research.
Additionally, eight workshops will be held. One of them will take place during the week of October 13–17, focusing on PCR studies applied to microalgae. Then, during the week of the conference (October 20–24), the Early Warning Systems for HABs workshop will begin, followed by sessions on GlobalHAB planning for the coming years, the use and management of multiple oceanographic instruments, emerging toxins, the development and sustainable management of HABs, and an ecology-based interactive game.
Oral presentations will be held across 31 parallel sessions from Monday, October 20, to Friday, October 24, 2025, with the participation of more than 80 national and international researchers who will chair the sessions and guide audience questions to the presenters. Additionally, 180 posters will be exhibited over two days (Monday and Thursday), along with a total of 45 rapid presentations (Ignite Talks) on Monday.
An important part of every conference is the opportunity to share with attendees, colleagues, and friends. Several social events—traditional in previous ICHA editions—have been organized for this purpose, such as the welcome cocktail (Ice Break) on Sunday, October 19. On Tuesday, October 21, the Welcome Party will be held, featuring a performance of local folklore, allowing participants to enjoy and experience Chilean culture. Undoubtedly, one of the most anticipated and entertaining events is the ISSHA Auction, which will take place on Thursday, October 23, aiming to raise funds to support students and young researchers in financing their participation in future conferences. These activities will be held in the ballrooms of the Hotel Dreams del Estrecho.
To help ICHA attendees discover more about Punta Arenas and its surroundings, several tours have been arranged, with detailed itineraries, costs, and tour operators. The Local Committee has coordinated directly with each provider to ensure safety and confidence for those choosing to participate.
Finally, the conference will close with a gala dinner on Friday, October 24, at the Hotel Dreams.
We deeply appreciate the trust and enthusiasm of all those who submitted their work in various formats (oral, poster, and ignite talk) to share and enrich the latest knowledge on HAB studies. We also thank everyone traveling thousands of kilometers to actively participate in this edition, the companies supporting the organization, and the Local Organizing Committee, which has worked hard to make this ICHA an unforgettable event.
