Welcome to Sharks International!

C taurus The organising committee for Sharks International would like to extend an invitation to attend this one-time event being hosted in Cairns, Queensland, Australia from 6-11 June 2010. The aim of this conference is to provide a forum for the world’s leading shark and ray experts, along with students and up and coming early career researchers, to come together to share ideas, update information and report on the progress of the most recent scientific studies in the field of shark and ray ecology. As these species become more affected by human and environmental factors on a global scale, international approaches to their study and management will be increasingly important. This conference is a first step in encouraging and developing international linkages between researchers from various regions.

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With the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics Rainforest at its doorstep Cairns is the perfect venue for a conference of this type and your gateway to experience Australia. Cairns offers a wide array of shopping and dining options, and activities and provides a good jumping off point for tours to the outback, reef and rainforest. The international airport ensures travel in and out of the region will be convenient. The size of Cairns also means the airport is located near the city easing transport to the conference venue. Although June is winter in the region, temperatures in Cairns will average 18-26 ˚C (64-79 F). It is also the dry season, so despite the tropical nature of the region the weather should be dry providing good conditions for diving and touring activities.

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Cairns provides a myriad of opportunities and we hope that you will take the time to participate in Sharks International and soak up the Far North Queensland hospitality and atmosphere.

Local Host Committee

Chair

Michelle Heupel (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University)

Committee Members

Colin Simpfendorfer (Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre, James Cook University)
Andrew Chin (Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre, James Cook University)
Cynthia Awruch (Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre, James Cook University)