The International Aquarium Congress (IAC) will take place September 25 to 30 in Vancouver, Canada. The event, hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, will be the ninth congress meeting since its inception in 1960.
The Congress is held every four years, and Vancouver joins Monaco, Boston, Tokyo, Monterey Bay, Shanghai and Cape Town as a host city. We are particularly thrilled to be representing ReefBuilders at this meeting of international aquarium professionals in our hometown, and excited to share this event with our readers.
The IAC brings together top aquarium professionals to share and learn about animal husbandry, research, technology, management, education, conservation, and sustainability. The Congress provides the scientific community the opportunity to discuss global and local issues and share successful initiatives.
Keynote Speakers
This year’s keynote speakers will be doing something unique, says Vancouver Aquarium Director John Nightingale. Eight experts will be delivering a comprehensive overview of the current state of the world’s oceans and freshwater ecosystems.
Keynote speakers will present in the mornings from 8:10-8:50 and 8:50-9:30, with a wrap-up Thursday morning at 10:15. The IAC program at a glance can be found here.
Monday: John Nightingale will give an introduction and welcome speech, followed by John Englander who will present climate change, rising ocean and ocean acidification.
Tuesday: Dr Gregory Flato, will present on climate, climate models and climate predictions followed by Dr Boris Worm will highlight both challenges and solutions for the conservation of fish species at a global scale.
Wednesday: Dr. Paul Loiselle, will discuss the state of freshwater fish populations followed by Dr James Guest to discuss Coral Reefs in the 21st Century: Reasons for Both Optimism and Despair
Thursday: Dr. Jennifer B. Pramuk will present the state of amphibian and other non-fish aquatic species, Adapt or Perish: Amphibian Conservation in a Rapidly-Changing Landscape followed by Dr Paul Ross, the state of ocean pollution and plastics, with a keynote wrap-up by Julie Packard, Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium at 10:15am.
For those who are not attending the congress, the Vancouver Aquarium will be hosting a panel discussion with presentations from six of the IAC keynote speakers. The event is called “ocean check-up” and will be held September 27th 2016 at the Aquarium.
Exhibitors
The IAC will also feature an exhibitor hall where we will be checking in for a look at new aquarium products. We expect to find some super-sized sumps, pumps, lights, and other large scale aquarium products.
Stay tuned to ReefBuilders next week for a first-hand look at the International Aquarium Congress.
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