History of PRIMO

The International Symposium series, « Pollutant Responses In Marine Organisms » (PRIMO) began in 1981 with a small group of National Science Foundation-funded investigators who were addressing questions related to « Chemical Effects and the Health of the Ocean » at a mechanistic level.

The first PRIMO Symposium was held in Plymouth, UK, in 1981 with the goal of stimulating international scientific interactions in this area. The success of the first PRIMO meeting led to a second in 1983 in Woods Hole, USA, and then to biennial meetings worldwide. Although the word « marine » was used to produce the memorable acronym, the meeting has never distinguished between, and always has included, marine and freshwater organisms. The PRIMO conference series has always been committed to disseminating scientific and research progress through the publication of special issues in two international scientific journals, namely – Aquatic Toxicology and Marine Environmental Research. Furthermore, and maybe most important, the PRIMO conference series is committed to encouraging the participation and recruitment of young researchers into the field through e.g. provision of travel grants and reduced conference fees for students.

On behalf of the Local and International Organizing Committees, we are glad to welcome you for the 22^nd edition of PRIMO in France. PRIMO will be back for the second time in the country. The meeting will be hold in the historic and amazing city of Nantes.