The EIS was founded in Paris in 1976, during the second Congress of European Ichthyologists. One of the main considerations of the Society has been to further Congresses held every third year and hosted by members in different countries. The Society changed names several times. It was first known as the European Ichthyological Union (1976-1991), then for some time as Societas Europaea Ichthyologorum (1991-1997). The Seat of the Society was in Paris, but changed into Bern, Switzerland, where it is currently located.
