SOCIEDAD LATINOAMERICANA DE ESPECIALISTAS EN MAMIFEROS ACUATICOS-SOLAMAC LATIN AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AQUATIC MAMMAL SPECIALISTS THE LATIN AMERICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC MAMMALS – LAJAM A N N O U N C E M E N T Workshop on Research and Conservation of the genus Sotalia Following deliberations at its eleventh biennial meeting in Quito, Ecuador in 2004, SOLAMAC is organizing a Workshop on Research and Conservation of the genus Sotalia to be held in the seaside resort town of Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 19 and 23 June 2006. The aim of the workshop is to address the conservation, biology and taxonomy of the genus Sotalia. Specific objectives are: · to ascertain the current status of Sotalia; · to identify where and what data are scarce and needed; · to make recommendations for further research, legislative and management measures, and conservation programs; and · to contribute and further the implementation of international and national conservation and management Action Plans of relevance to the species. This five-day workshop is expected to bring together approximately 50 people. Participation at the workshop will be by invitation only. All invited participants are expected to contribute with an abstract and working paper in English on the main focus areas for the Workshop: distribution and status, taxonomy, natural history, major threats, research and monitoring, conservation and management including socio-economic aspects. Working languages of the workshop will be Spanish and Portuguese. English translation will be considered on the basis of English-speaking confirmed participants. Results of the workshop will be published as a Special Issue of The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals-LAJAM. Financial support is provided by MBR- Minerações Brasileiras Reunidas S.A. and other prospective Brazilian and international partners. Institutional support is given by FIOCRUZ, Wildlife Conservation Society-Brazil and Brazilian private sector partners. Workshop schedule deadlines are provided below. Letters of invitation, provisional workshop agenda, participation confirmation forms, as well as presentation and paper formats will be forwarded in due course. Direct all inquiries to: On behalf of SOLAMAC- Salvatore Siciliano, President: <mailto:sal@ensp.fiocruz.br>sal@ensp.fiocruz.br Workshop Schedule Deadlines for Invited Participants * Abstract ­ 15 February 2006 * Working Paper ­ 30 April 2006 (to <mailto:sal@ensp.fiocruz.br>sal@ensp.fiocruz.br) * Participation Confirmation Forms ­ 10 May 2006 * Sotalia Workshop ­ 19-23 June 2006