Three years after the Santorini conference, we decided to organize the next meeting in another country. The 2nd International Conference on the Ecological Importance of Solar Saltworks (2nd CEISSA) was held in Merida, Mexico under the authority of the Global Network of the Environmental Science and Technology (Global NEST) in cooperation with the Industria Salinera De Yucatan S.A. (I.S.Y.S.A.) on March 26-28, 2009.

The 2nd CEISSA dedicated to Prof. Steve Davis for his pioneering work on the relationship between the Solar Saltworks biological systems and solar sea salt manufacture.

CEISSA also honored the President of Industria Salinera de Yucatan S.A. Mr. Eduardo Roche, for his efforts to preserve the environment of the Ria Lagartos Biosphere in which the Las Coloradas saltworks is located.

At the Fiesta Americana Hotel Conference Center in Merida, scientists and Saltworks managers from many countries of the world, such as Argentina, Mexico, USA, China, France, Italy, Israel, Switzerland and Greece, had the opportunity to discuss the issues of the 2nd CEISSA and to present their work. The conference concluded that Solar Saltworks are integrated coastal wetlands where regular and hyper-saline environments coexist, establishing high significance shelters for wildlife. With the proper management of their biological system, we can optimize both product quality and their wetland function.

Professor Aharon Oren with his presence as ISSLR representative, contributed substantially to the success of Merida Conference.

«How many more ecologically and evolutionarily important microbes exist in salinas we do not know, but we do know that if the solar salterns are destroyed, we will lose a significant source of microbial biodiversity»; words of Carol Litchfield in Merida conference.

With your registration, you can download from members area, the presented papers and the Book of Proceedings of the conference.