The aims of this workshop are to teach graduate students and scientists who are working on coral reef research particular in the Indo-Pacific region to be able to identify genera and some species of octocorals and to gain more knowledge on the biology and ecology of octocorals in the region. 

Specifically, the objectives of the workshop are to:

1. Instruct the current classification and diagnose specific classification problems among different taxonomic levels.

2. Instruct the methods of field collection and specimen collection.

3. Instruct important aspects of octocoral biology, including distribution patterns, reproductive biology, competitive capabilities, along with aspects of their chemical ecology

4. Discuss possible solutions to the identified problems of octocoral classification.

5. Establish a future agenda for a collaborative effort among all interested participants.

Organized By

Organizers:

Department of Marine Science, Chulalongkorn University.

Phuket Marine Biological Center.

Specialists:

Dr. Leen van Ofwegen of the National Museum, Netherlands, Dr. Yehuda Benayahu from Tel Aviv University, Isreal and Dr. Tina Tentori visiting scientist at the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Mexico will act as resource people and leaders to conduct an international workshop on the taxonomy and biology of octocorals.

Sponsored By

Workshop Location:

The workshop will be at the Phuket Marine Biological Center, Phuket

Dates:

October 1-5, 2007

Workshop Fee:

$350 U.S. Dollars

    This will include:

-         Accommodation 5 nights at the Bay at Cape Panwa (2 persons per room) (check in September 30 and check out October 5)

-         Breakfast, lunch, and coffee break during the conference (October 1-5)

-         Reception on Tuesday, October 2

-         One-day diving trip

Each participant will be responsible for his/her own international travel expense (round-trip ticket between his/her home country to Phuket, Thailand). 
 

Reception:

All participants are welcome to attend the reception on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at a restaurant.

Applications:

To apply, please submit the following information to Dr. Suchana Apple Chavanich
(suchana.c@chula.ac.th). The deadline for submitting the application is July 27, 2007.  The number of participants that can attend the workshop is very limited. Notification of acceptance will be sent on July 28, 2007.

Once receiving the notification of acceptance, the workshop fee should be paid by August 5, 2007 to secure a space.  The details of the payment method will be sent to participants later.

 
        Information needed:    Name (Ms. or Mr.):

                                                Affiliation:

                                                Contact address:

                                                Telephone:

                                                Fax:

                                                Email:

                                                Education background and degrees:

                                                Research related to octocorals:

Accommodations:

The Bay Hotel at Cape Panwa
31/11 Mu8, Sakdidej Road
Cape Panwa,
Phuket 83000, Thailand

Tel: (66) 076-391-514

Approximately a 5-minute walk to the Phuket Marine Biological Center.

Transportation from the airport to the Bay Hotel:

Airport transfer can be arranged through the hotel. The cost for the hotel’s Limousine Taxi is Baht 850 baht per way and for round trip is 1,700 baht per person. Participants can also arrange for private taxi at the airport with a cost around Baht 650 baht per way and it is available upon arrival inside the terminal closed to the baggage claim area.  

More information about Phuket can be found at the following links:

http://phuket.sawadee.com/general.htm

http://www.phuket-maps.com/frameme.php?page=panwa.htm

http://www.phuket.go.th/

Contact Person:

Dr. Suchana Apple Chavanich

Department of Marine Science
Faculty of Science,
Chulalongkorn University

Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Tel: 662-218-5394

Fax: 662-255-0780

Email: suchana.c@chula.ac.th

Schedule of the Workshop