Dear MARMAMers, It is with great regret to inform you that Dr. Peter J. H. van Bree has passed peacefully away at the age of 83. Peter van Bree has worked most of his career as conservator of the Zoological Museum of Amsterdam, from where he conducted a lot of systematic work on marine mammals in particular cetaceans and pinnipedia while publishing his first article on cetaceans in 1963. He also actively supported conservation work all around the globe and received several honours such as "Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau" and "Officer in the Order of the Golden Ark" to name a few. He has been chairman of the Netherlands Committee of the IUCN and has been member of IUCN Species Survival Commission and its Steering Committee for a long time. Peter van Bree has also devoted much of his time to his tasks as secretary of the Van Tienhoven Stichting and Dutch Commission for International Nature Protection, advisor on mammals of the Advisory Committee of the Netherlands Scientfic Authority for CITES and several other working groups. Peter van Bree also has actively guided many students and researchers including myself even after his retirement while sharing his excellent and most complete literature collection and good advice. His good sense of humor, kindness and enthusiasm for the conservation and research on marine mammals will not easily be forgotten. Any condolences may be forwarded to his nephew Marc van Bree (marc.van.bree@hetnet.nl). May his soul rest in peace.. With all respect, Danielle Kreb -------------------------- Danielle Kreb (Ph.D.) Scientific Program Advisor Yayasan Konservasi RASI Komp. Pandan Harum Indah (Erlisa) Blok D, No. 87 Samarinda 75124 Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia Tel/ fax: + 62.541.206406 Mobile: 081346489515 http://www.ykrasi.110mb.com