Indian Ocean Cetacean Symposium 2009

Paradise Island Resort and Spa, North Male' Atoll, Maldives

The past ten years has seen a rapid expansion of the cetacean research in the Indian Ocean. However, there has so far been no opportunity fo regional researchers to gather, to share their findings and plan collaborative research activities. This conference aims to do just that, bringing together active cetacean researchers from across the region, as well as representatives of international organisations concerned with cetaceans and marine research funding.

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) established the Indian Ocean Sanctuary (IOS) in 1979. One of the main objectives of the IOS is to promote benign research cetaceans. This meeting, occuring as it will during the Sanctuary’s 30th anniversary year, will provide an opportunity to review progress on benign research in the IOS. It will also provide opportunities for researchers to forge collaborations to enhance Indian Ocean cetacean research in the future.

The Maldives lies in the Central Indian Ocean, at the very heart of the IOS. It is home to remarkable abundance and diversity of cetaceans. All whales and dolphins are protected in Maldivian waters. Perhaps more importantly, all pelagic gill-net and purse-seine fishing is banned in Maldives, in order to protect the traditional pole-and-line tuna fishery. As a result there is no catch (directed or incidental) of cetaceans, and the Maldives is a sanctuary within the Sanctuary.

The beautiful island scenery and magnificent coral reefs of the Maldives are major factors in the remarkable growth of tourism over the last 30 years. However, in recent years whale and dolphin watching has also become popular. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in an excursion to see Spinner Dolphins during the course of the conference.

Dates and Venue

The symposium will be held from the 18 - 20 July 2009 at the Paradise Island Resort and Spa, North Malé Atoll, Maldives. The island is about 25 minutes by speed launch from the Malé International Airport. It has Conference Facilities which is more than adequate for this symposium.

Sessions

Session 1: Country reports
Session 2: Species reports
Session 3: Conservation and management
Session 4: Future directions

Eligible papers will be published in a peer-reviewed proceedings volume. Abstracts to be submited before by march 15, 2009. Poster submissions are encouraged.

Registration and payments:

Early registration: Upto 31st March 2009 (US$ 150)
Late registration: After 31st March 2009 (US$ 200)

If you would like to register, please download and complete IOCS 2009 Registration form (link below) and return it to us via mail, fax or post, as soon as you have made your money transfer either by Telegraphic Transfer or Bank Draft (details given in attached form).

PLEASE NOTIFY US BY EMAIL ONCE YOU HAVE MADE YOUR MONEY TRANSFER EITHER BY TT OR BANK DRAFT.
 
If you prefer to pay by bank draft, please attach a copy of the completed registration form with the bank draft for our reference.

Sponsorship requests:

We are currently seeking external funding and sponsorship from various sources. This funding will be mainly used for the sponsorship of some participants, but priority will be given to keynote speaker(s) and regional scientists presenting papers or posters. If you would like to apply for sponsorship please send a letter with details of return airfare to Male from your orign. The request letters should sent with the registration for and should be addressed to:

Shahaama A. Sattar
Marine Research Centre
H. White Waves, Malé 20025, Maldives
tel: +(960) 332-2242; 332-2328; fax: (+960) 332-2509
email: sasattar@mrc.gov.mv

Download conference brochure (677kb)

Download Registration Forms:

» MSWord (97) Format (Send an email to Shahaama A. Sattar for a copy)

» PDF Version  (Send an email to Shahaama A. Sattar for a copy

Current sponsors: