PECS (Physics of Estuaries and Coastal Seas) is an independent organisation whose sole purpose is to organise the PECS biennial conferences. The objectives of these conferences are:

• to promote exchange of information on recent developments in physics of estuaries and coastal seas;
• to stimulate cooperation between coastal engineers and coastal oceanographers, and
• to provide a forum for junior scientists and engineers where they feel comfortable presenting and testing their ideas.

Emphasis is on the results of field and laboratory measurements, and theoretical and numerical analysis, with the aim of better understanding the underlying physical processes. The topic for PECS 2008 in Liverpool, "Process studies in the pre-operational era", serves as a guide for presentations and discussions, but contributions on other relevant topics are also acceptable.

This conference series emphasizes informal exchanges in a collegial environment. All sessions are plenary and attendance is limited to about a hundred participants.