Large Pelagic Fishes in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:
Current Status and Integrated Management

A one day symposium dedicated to scientific presentations and discussions of large pelagic fishes and fisheries will be convened as part of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute annual conference November 5-10, 2006 in Belize City, Belize. The purpose of the symposium is to share current research on the biology and management of large pelagic fishes in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico region and to develop a list of recommendations for future research and management of large pelagic fishes related to critical issues of regional concern. Species to be included in the symposium are billfish (marlins, sailfish and swordfish), tunas, large pelagic sharks, dolphin, wahoo and ocean sunfishes.

The symposium will consist of two keynote speakers, three invited theme speakers, contributed oral and poster presentations and an open panel discussion. The Symposium Themes are 1) Fisheries Ecology, 2) Movements and Population Structure, and 3) Management: Strategies, Problems and Solutions. A special symposium issue of Gulf and Caribbean Research will be published, and oral and poster presenters are encouraged to submit manuscripts for peer review in the issue.

Complete and updated information on the Symposium, including abstract submission information, can be found at the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute website (www.gcfi.org). The initial call for papers will be March 15, and the abstract deadline will be July 31, 2006.

The Symposium Organizing Committee consists of Jim Franks (University of Southern Mississippi, USA), Nancy Brown-Peterson (University of Southern Mississippi, USA), Mark S. Peterson (University of Southern Mississippi, USA), Pete Sheridan (National Marine Fisheries Service, Panama City, USA), Brian Luckhurst (Department of Environmental Protection, Bermuda), Hazel Oxenford (University of the West Indies, Barbados) and Patrick McConney (University of the West Indies, Barbados).

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