HAB 2000

The red bar portrays an algal bloom causing surface water discolouration. While Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) can appear yellow, brown, red, purple, green, blue or even white in colour depending upon the organism involved, in the past such events have often been referred to as "Red Tides". This practice dates back to a passage in the Bible: "... all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river" (Exodus 7: 20—21).

The triangle depicts the island state of Tasmania which was cut off from the mainland of Australia around 12,000 years ago when the end of the Ice Age caused sea levels to rise creating a 240 km wide strait. Its capital Hobart is the proud host for the 9th International Conference on Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB2000). The triangle also poses as a warning sign for any humans using HAB contaminated water ways for recreation, drinking water, wild fisheries or aquaculture food production.

Superimposed upon the triangle is a scanning electron microscope image of the hieroglyphe-like ornamentation on the apical pore plate of the tropical dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus from the Australian Great Barrier Reef (a causative organism of ciguatera fish poisoning). The "question mark" reflects our quest during HAB2000 to answer important questions about the taxonomy, physiology, ecology and toxicology of these ancient and sometimes deadly microorganisms which already produced toxins hundreds of millions of years before humans turned to the oceans for food production.

The first circular announcing the 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS has met with an enthusiastic response: more than 400 experts from 35 countries have pre-registered. This second circular invites participants to formally register, and submit abstracts of communications to be presented orally or in poster sessions.

The HAB2000 conference will provide a broad forum for phycologists, microbiologists, toxicologists, physiologists, molecular biologists, aquatic ecologists and managers to address and exchange research findings and perspectives concerning all aspects of toxic and harmful algae, including freshwater cyanobacteria and ciguatera fish poisoning. Harmful algae and their toxins can have serious implications for human health, aquaculture, fisheries, seafood trade, tourism and the aquatic environment. These phenomena pose a growing global problem at a time when human reliance on coastal zones for food, recreation and commerce is expanding.

The topics of the conference will be:

Taxonomy of harmful algae, using morphological, biochemical as well as novel molecular and immunological approaches
Population dynamics of harmful algal blooms, including coupling of physical and biological processes, and interactions with zooplankton, viruses and bacteria
Ecophysiological, biochemical, genetic and toxicological aspects of harmful species, with a focus on new analytical methods and novel toxins or novel toxic episodes
Monitoring and management of harmful algal blooms as they relate to eutrophication, aquaculture, public health and shipping (ballast water problem). Options for prevention, control and mitigation will be especially emphasized.

The official conference language is English, which will be used for all presentations and documentation.

Participants are kindly requested to fill the registration form in this announcement and mail it to the Conference Design address. Please provide complete name (first, middle initial, last names), institution or affiliation (include Department if applicable), mailing address (including E-mail), telephone and facsimile numbers, because the participant index in the abstract book will be prepared based on this information.

The conference banquet ($85) and "Ice Breaker" ($35) are not included in above fees, but Welcoming Ceremony and daily coffee/ tea breaks as well as lunches are covered. Registration for mid-conference excursions may attract modest additional fees as detailed below. Please make payment by credit card or bank cheque, carefully following the instructions on the form.

Cancellation must be notified in writing to Conference Design. Cancellations received before 1 December 1999 will be eligible for a full refund. Cancellations received after that date will incur an Aus$100 cancellation fee.

All hotels listed on the registration form are within walking distance (a few minutes to 15-20 min) of the conference venue. Prices range from Aus $45 (budget accommodation) to Aus $155 (Wrest Point tower). All hotels can be identified on the map of Hobart included in this brochure. A $100 accommodation deposit is requested.

All foreign visitors entering Australia must have valid passports. Participants requiring visas should apply to the Australian consulate or diplomatic mission. Visa requirements vary from country to country. Please check with your travel agent when making arrangements for travel to Australia.

Being an island continent, Australia is free from many plant and animal diseases prevalent in other countries. Very strict quarantine regulations apply to the import of plants and animals and their products (including biological sediments, plankton samples, algal cultures, and ship’s ballast water), which cannot be brought into the country without prior application for special quarantine permits. If you have a need for such imports, contact Gustaaf Hallegraeff. Exports of native animals and plants are also prohibited.