September 16-19, 1998, Cascais, Portugal
Theme sessions:
Mini symposium on coastal eutrophication, system productivity and (harmful) algal blooms: what do we learn from mesocosms?
Prof. Dr. Yngvar Olsen, Trondhjem Biological Station, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Bynesveien 46, N-7018 Trondheim, Norway, Tel. +47 735 91592; Fax +47 735 91597;
E-mail: yngvar.olsen@vm.ntnu.no; and Dr. Aad Smaal, Netherlands Institute for Fisheries Research, P.O.Box 77, NL-4400 AB Yerseke-N, The Netherlands, Tel. +31 113 572781; Fax +31 113 573477;
E-mail:a.c.smaal@rivo.dlo.nl
In many areas, coastal waters receive excessive amounts of nutrients, leading to eutrophication effects such as increased productivity, increased risk of oxygen depletion and the occurrence of harmful algal blooms. Reduction of nutrient loads may have positive effects in reducing the risk of harmful blooms, but may also reduce the productivity of the ecosystem. The question is therefore to what extent measures have to be taken in order to prevent the risk of harmful blooms and oxygen depletion, meanwhile maintaining a productive ecosystem. In some coastal areas, nutrient reduction measures have proven to be successful for phosphate; nitrogen reduction is more difficult to achieve. As a consequence, eutrophication effects still exist and the increased N:P ratio may even enhance risks of harmful blooms.
Mesocosm research projects have been set up to study ecosystem effects of various nutrient loadings in relation to other factors influencing ecosystem processes. These studies may help in understanding the role of top-down versus bottom-up control, the influence of mixing and stratification, and the role of internal feed-back mechanisms in the responses of the system to nutrient loads. On the other hand mesocosms are model ecosystems and the question is how to extrapolate results to field conditions.
The Mini-Symposium will focus on mesocosm results and their contribution to understanding nutrient impacts and resolving eutrophication problems.
Theme session on the use of genetics in aquaculture:
Prof. Jarle Mork, NTNU, Trondhjem Biological Station, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Bynesveien 46, N-7018 Trondheim, Norway, Tel. +47 735 91 589; Fax +47 735 91 597; E-mail:jarle. mork@vm.ntnu.no; and Dr. R. Devlin, Dept. of Fisheries & Oceans, Pacific Biological Station, Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5K6, Canada, E-mail:devlinb@mailhost.pac.dfo.ca
Genetic techniques and theory are gaining increasing importance in aquaculture. This theme session aims at establishing status reports for the conventional areas of application, as well as achieving an update on new techniques and their current and potential applications. This wide scope has made it convenient to subdivide the session into three sections, as listed below:
1) Qualitative genetics applications
2) Quantitative genetics applications
3) Genetically Modified Organisms
Theme session on farming marine fish beyond the year 2000: technological solutions for biological challenges
Dr. Bari Howell, CEFAS Conwy Laboratory, Conwy LL32 8UB, UK, Tel. +44 1492 593 883, Fax +44 1492 592 321; E-mail: b.r.howell@cefas.co.uk
Farming fish in the marine environment has increased dramatically during the last two decades or so and in many countries now represents an industry of considerable socio-economic importance in rural coastal areas. The industry is, however, becoming increasingly constrained by the availability of sites for conventional on-growing systems (tanks, cages), climatic limitations on choice of species and the need to minimise environmental impacts. Thus, the future development and sustainability of what has become a major international industry may depend to a large extent on the development of novel approaches which alleviate these constraints.
Papers are invited on a range of topics, which may include the following:
- Biological needs and mechanisms;
- Technology used for fish farming;
- Methods and management regimes reducing the risk of disease;
- Socio-economic and geographical constraints;
- Ethics and animal welfare.
Info
ICES, Palaegade 2-4, DK-1261 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
Tel. +45 33 15 42 25; Fax +45 33 93 42 15;
E-mail:ices.info@ices.dk;
WWW:http://www.ices.dk