NOAA's Ocean Acoustics Program would like to announce an international symposium entitled “Potential Application of Quieting Technology on Large Commercial Vessels” to be held on 1-2 May 2007 at the NOAA campus in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. A multi-disciplinary steering committee (initially formed during the 2004 symposium: “Shipping Noise and Marine Mammals: A Forum for Science, Management, and Technology”) is currently finalizing the goals, objectives, and agenda for the 2007 symposium. At the symposium, speakers will discuss current knowledge and applications in a variety of technical subject areas. Working groups will be formed and assigned specific tasks with the goals of: (1) specifying quieting targets; (2) producing a tangible assessment of current capabilities and costs; and (3) identifying the most promising opportunities given what is known about future trends within the vessel industry. More details on the symposium will be posted to this listing in the near future and will be available at NOAA's Acoustics Program website (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/). The purpose of this email is to announce the dates for those interested and alert you to be aware for more detailed information forthcoming. You may contact the Acoustics Program manager (Brandon.Southall@noaa.gov) for more information.