2nd GCC Marine Biotechnology conference: emerging opportunities and future perspectives

2nd GCC Marine biotechnology conference was held at Sultan Qaboos University, 31 October – 1 November 2017. The conference was organized by the Center of Excellence in Marine Biotechnology, SQU. The conference focused on four major themes, including Genetics and biodiversity, Marine biofouling and its prevention, Marine natural products, and Aquaculture and fisheries. In total, 160 delegates from 23 different countries were registered for this conference and 106 delegates attended the conference. One plenary lecture and three keynote addresses were given, 39 oral and 30 poster presentations were made. The final session reviewed national and regional issues and identified some of the main challenges in marine biotechnology in the region.