Workshop on diseases in Antarctic Wildlife

[Eric Woehler <>]

Background
At the XXI Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), Australia offered to host a workshop on diseases in Antarctic wildlife. This Workshop is now to be held at the headquarters of the Australian Antarctic Division from 25 to 28 August 1998. It has been timed to immediately precede the VII SCAR International Biology Symposium to be held in Christchurch New Zealand from 31 August to 4 September, to enable participants to attend both meetings.
Objectives
The objectives of the workshop are to identify the potential for disease incursion into Antarctica's wildlife, and to develop a series of recommendations to be presented to the ATCM to reduce the risk of such introductions and limit the consequences of any disease establishment and spread.
The workshop will focus on diseases of birds and seals breeding within the Antarctic Treaty area and will consider both endemic and exotic diseases. It will also take into account scientific information relating to diseases of wildlife in the subantarctic.


The workshop will review the following topics:
? The status and epidemiology of disease in birds and seals in Antarctica
? prevailing Antarctic environmental conditions and the ecology and characteristics of the biota that might influence the introduction and spread of disease (such as migration, scavenging, overlap of habitat, discrete or interbreeding populations)
? Changing risks in introduction of disease (such as tourism, global climate change)
? Mechanisms to control the introduction and spread of disease including disease preparedness and response plans
? Relevant current and future research of nations working in Antarctica
? International treaties and the legal framework for the control of introduction to and spread of disease among Antarctica's wildlife.
A series of case studies on the outbreak of disease in wild, non-Antarctic, populations of seals and birds will be considered as an aid to the workshop.


An Invitation
The workshop is open to all interested parties particularly those who can contribute to formulating plans and practical measures for responding to the risk of introduced diseases, and to identify priority areas for future research.
Invited review papers on the above topics will be presented. Additional posters or oral presentations are encouraged. It is intended that the proceedings of the workshop will be published.


Cost
A cost of $Aus100 per head, will be levied to cover the cost of refreshments and documents.
Accommodation
We have obtained a bulk booking at St Ives Motel, 86 Sandy Bay Road and Woolmers Inn 123 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay 7005. All have full kitchen facilities and ensuite bathrooms.  Both are a short walk to Salamanca, the waterfront and the city.
? St Ives $69 Single or $79 Double or Twin
? Woolmers $85 Single or Double or $120 for a two bedroom. Some units will accommodate up to 5 people at only $69 plus $15 each extra person.  So if you are willing to share please note clearly on your Registration form, this could bring your accommodation cost down to as little as $26 per night.

Bookings must be confirmed by 31 May 1998 and include a $50 deposit to secure the booking with the balance paid directly to the Hotel on departure.
Please note:  Prices were correct at the time of printing but can be subject to slight variation.  Should you fail to arrive without prior notification your deposit will be forfeited.


Further Information
Those interested in the workshop should visit our website
http://www.aadc.antdiv.gov.au/human_impacts/disease_workshop/


Further information on the meeting itself, including background and research information and news will be placed at this web site as it becomes available. Research workers are encouraged to submit abstracts of their work, or any other relevant information, for posting on the web.
For additional information please contact:
Dr Knowles Kerry
Australian Antarctic Division
Channel Highway Kingston
Tasmania 7050 Australia
Phone, +61 3 62323363
Fax, +61 3 62323351
E-mail 


Registration of interest
If you are interested in receiving information or attending the workshop please print this page, complete the details and send to:
Diseases in Antarctic Wildlife
Mures Convention Management
Victoria Dock Hobart 7000
Tasmania Australia
Please return the following before 31 May 1998
Title/Surname______________________________
Given Names ______________________________
Institution _________________________________

*Email ___________________________________
Postal Address _____________________________
_________________________________________
City_________________ Postcode_____________
State/Country______________________________
Telephone Number _________________________
Fax_____________________________________
Please tick one of the following options:
_____ I wish to attend
_____ I am interested in presenting a poster/oral paper with the provisional title: ________________________________________
________________________________________


Accommodation Details
I wish to reserve accommodation at
_____ St Ives Motel
_____ Woolmers Inn
Please tick one of the following options:
_____ I would like a private room
_____ I am willing to share
I wish to share my room with__________________________
Tentative dates of stay___________________
Payment
Workshop registration $100 plus,
Accommodation $50 deposit
Total $150.00
I wish to pay by:
Visa / MasterCard / Cheque (payable to Diseases in Antarctic Wildlife, Mures Convention Management)
Card Number __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Expiry Date ____________________________
Account Name _________________________
Signature ________________Date__________


* Wherever possible additional information will be provided on the web site or sent by email.