Please re-post the following announcement- some of the info was left out! Thanks, Stephanie ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- Dear marmamers, Please excuse any double postings. The following workshop will be held prior to the upcoming SMM conference in Cape Town, South Africa (29 Nov- 3 Dec 2007). Participants and additional interested parties are asked to submit abstracts (no more than 200 words) outlining their proposed contribution to Stephanie Plön (see contact details below) Workshop title: Conservation Medicine of Marine Mammals Date: 28 November 2007 Workshop outline: Conservation medicine is an increasingly interdisciplinary field that studies the relationship between human and animal health, and environmental conditions. In particular the environmental causes of health problems are complex,global, and poorly understood. Outbreaks in the last few years such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and the recent bird-flu pandemic illustrate the need to document and understand these diseases for the benefit of both humans and animals. Researchers are learning more about these pandemics in the terrestrial environment, but due to the migratory nature of many marine species, such events are difficult to understand in the marine environment. As a result there is still little documentation on diseases of wild marine mammals and potential overlap with those from other marine animals. However, such disease events in marine systems appear on the increase in recent years, possibly as a result of rising sea temperatures. This workshop aims at information exchange between researchers, gathering existing knowledge on diseases in marine mammals, and identifying the areas where future research efforts need to concentrate. We will have a morning of invited paper presentations, but will allow for an open discussion forum in the afternoon. Workshop Fee: $30 USD The deadline for abstract submissions is: 20 June For any further queries and to submit abstracts please contact: Stephanie Plön Port Elizabeth Museum & Oceanarium/ Bayworld Humewood P. O. Box 13147 Port Elizabeth 6013 SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +27-41-5840650 Fax: +27-41-5840661 E-mail: stephanie@bayworld.co.za