2004, December 5 – 10, 6th International Aquarium Congress.
At this fantastic conference in Monterey, California I had the opportunity to meet with aquarium managers and workers from all over the world. Aquarium professionals from China, Palau, England, the US, Singapore, South Africa and Canada presented talks on everything from the role of aquariums in conservation to technical aspects of life support systems for captive mammals, fish and invertebrates. Two highlights of the conference were being able to discuss my Fiji project with Dr. Jean-Michel Cousteau and his wife Nancy Marr of the Ocean Futures Society and meeting Ted Danson, active spokesperson for ocean issues. You can check out the conference at: www.iac2004.org

2004, October 24 – 28, 3rd Brazilian Crustacean Congress.
Another great crusty gathering! This time in Florianopolis, Brazil. In addition to presenting a paper, a poster and being co-chair of a session, I met up with some old friends and made many new ones. Especially impressive was the representation of research by Brazilian graduate students. Their presentations demonstrated a wide array of research topics, including genetics, ecology, taxonomy and aquaculture.

A scenic archway leading to the beach at Castao Santinho.	Steve with the Monterey Bay Hermit Crabs poster.	The panel of esteemed colleagues at the conference opening.

At this congress I gave both an oral and a poster presentation, as well as co-chaired one of the sessions with colleague Klause Anger. Other colleagues I caught up with there were Rafael Lemaitre, Darryl Felder, Renata Garcia, Fernando Mantellato, and Maria Almeida, Trisha Spears, Sammy De Grave, among many others. The congress was held at the beautiful resort, Hotel Costao do Santinho in Florianopolis, Brazil. I look forward to seeing the crusty group again at the 6th International Crustacean Congress.

Left: Enjoying great food with Dave Camp and Mary Belk.; Right: The final evening with Jens Hoeg, the Felders and Rafa Lemaitre.

Left: Fernando Mantelatto receiving a gift for a great job organizing the congress.; Right: Some of Alex Turra's graduate students and I getting acquainted.