This paper aims to summarize the work, topics and contributions of the First European Symposium Research, conservation and management of biodiversity of European seashores/RCMBES, 8-12 May 2017, Primorsko, Bulgaria. The symposium was organized by OPIMOS and ECOPAN in cooperation with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Faculty of Biology of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and Primorsko Club Ltd. The symposium aimed to: 1) Present the status of scientific approaches within the European coastal areas; 2) Discuss the role of biodiversity research in trans-border issues; 3) Bring together scientists, academics, practitioners with a view to strengthening and promoting the trans-border cooperation and this with municipalities; 4) Define the priorities concerning various aspects of conservation research and good practices. In accordance, thirteen more detailed symposium topics were announced and later on discussed at the scientific sessions, during the field trip along the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast and Strandzha Mt, and at the Symposium Round Table. In total, 65 scientific reports (5 plenary lectures, 26 oral presentations and 34 posters), prepared by 146 contributors from 11 countries were presented. The main topics of the contributions and studied regions, described briefly in the paper, helped to outline different problems related to the studies and conservation of the coastal areas, to share some good practices and new methodological approaches, as well as to define priorities and discuss the future design of studies and activities in these exceptionally rich in biodiversity, but also severely threatened areas.