2003, December 2 - 4. WWF, Fiji Islands Marine
Ecoregion (FIME) Biodiversity Vision Workshop. Suva, Fiji.
This workshop was a wonderful opportunity to meet with people from the
various NGO's, interest groups, national representatives and international
scientists who live, work and have an interest in Fiji's marine ecosystems.
Based on existing knowledge and the scientific expertise available, the
workshop defined and prioritized areas of known or potentially high biodiversity.
2003, September 8 - 12. 38th European Marine
Biology Symposium. Aveiro, Portugal.
Another great marine biology symposium. The focus of the conference was
Marine Biodiversity with emphases on patterns and processes, assessment,
threats and management, and conservation. With plenary sessions from some
great biodiversity experts such as, John S Gray and Bob Whitlatch, the
conference emphasized the importance of understanding human impacts on
biodiversity and how to measure and monitor changes and impacts.
It was a great opportunity to share our work on marine biodiversity in Fiji with researchers from all over the world. Aside from the work, Sabine and I had a chance to relax for a few days after the conference and enjoy Sintra and some sites of Lisbon.