join Us to Discuss the Key Issues Facing the Aquatic Environment – Call for Paper Starts!

www.iac2008.cn

Pursuing progress is the common objective of all mankind, regardless of varying focus on economic, social, civic or education by different communities. The pursuit of progress has positive as well as negative impact on nature, and inevitably the aquatic environment.

Aquariums are fruits of mankind's love and care for the environment. The negative impact on nature and environment from progress pursuance is a common issue confronting all mankind. This issue is and should be the driver for the aquarium community to engage and participate in solving the problem.

We have lined up three main discussion sections for IAC 2008:

Section One      Conservation and Education
This section will include papers on:
      ■ Ethics in Aquarium – the Green Movement is Coming
      ■ Innovative Education Programs, Strategies, Exhibits and Their Effectiveness
      ■ Conservation Strategies and Their Implementation
      ■ Linking the Aquarium with Field Conservation Programs
      ■ Building Successful Partnership and Collaborations
      ■ Sponsorship and Marketing for Conservation
      ■ Strategies to Connect Guests with Aquatic Animals and Ecosystems

Section Two      Husbandry and Management
This section will include papers on:
      ■ Water Quality Management in Closed Recirculation Systems
      ■ New Developments in Life Support Systems
      ■ Captive Breeding for Conservation
      ■ Medical Advances in Aquatic Animal Husbandry
      ■ New Developments in Nutrition and Feeding Regimes
      ■ Sustainable Collection Strategies for the Future
      ■ Aquarium Management and Operations
      ■ Business Management and Marketing Strategies - Can Aquariums Combine Conservation with Commercial Success?
      ■ Staff Management and Training – Challenges and Strategies
      ■ Aquarium Crisis Management

Section Three      Progress and Advances
This section will include papers on:
      ■ New Aquariums, New Advances?
      ■ New Exhibit Designs –Exhibiting Ecosystems – the New Challenge
      ■ Legislation and Government Regulations Affecting Aquaria
      ■ International Aquarium Standards and Accountability
      ■ International Cooperation between Aquariums in Developed and Developing Countries
      ■ Sustainable Aquariums – Dream or Reality?
      ■ A “Future Look” at Our Changing Markets and Changing Audience

To find out more on how to submit papers, posters or DVDs that cover any of the above discussion topics, please refer our website: www.iac2008.cn

About IAC
The International Aquarium Congress, commonly known as IAC, is probably the most important and prestigious event for the public aquarium industry. The congress which is held every four years, gathers professionals from public aquarium all around the world to share and learn about new developments in research, technology, management and other related issues for the industry. A mini exhibition will also be held concurrently during the event, providing an opportunity for businesses that offer products or services for the public aquarium industry.

IAC 2008
7th International Aquarium Congress

Dates
20 – 24 Oct 2008 (Conference) 21 – 23 Oct 2008 (Exhibition)

Venue
Shanghai International Convention Center

Theme
Progress and Conservation - The role of aquariums in protecting the aquatic environment

About Organiser – Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

At Shanghai Ocean Aquarium (“SOA”), we welcome you to the biggest aquarium in Shanghai and one of the most beautiful ones in the world. The Aquarium has a total built in area of 20, 500 square meters. It is a US $50 million joint investment by Singapore-based Straco Corporation Limited and China's China Poly Group. Since its opening in February 2002, SOA has received more than 1 million visitors every year from within China and all over the world.

Located just next to the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai's bustling financial district of Lujiazui, SOA is divided into 9 different thematic zones, with a collection of more than 450 species of aquatic animals from the five continents and four oceans. The design concept of SOA is to bring our visitors along an underwater journey that starts from China and continues throughout the major continents and regions of the world. Each zone in the Aquarium is specially designed to recreate the most natural surroundings for our aquatic animals, and to enable our visitors to experience and admire the uniqueness of every region around the world. SOA is currently the only aquarium in the world to have a separate exhibition zone that showcases aquatic animals from China, particularly rare and precious species from the famous Yangtze River.

At SOA our mission is to inspire visitors of all ages and from all walks of life to better understand and care about our rivers and oceans. Through fascinating exhibits and interactive programs, we aim to provide both entertainment and education for every person that walks into the aquarium.