NZMSS Newsletter September 2005

Wellington was where to be during 22-26^th August 2005

It worked – bringing NZ Marine Sciences, International Marine Bioinvasions, and US-NZ MARGINS together for a joint conference – and it was successful. It had over 350 registrations including over 100 delegates from overseas, around 200 oral presentations and over 100 posters; three keynote addresses and two ministerial opening addresses; seminars on toothfish, Oceans 20/20, and marine energy. So there was an “awesome” amount of marine science communication going on in the three concurrent programmes, and it continued during tea and lunch breaks and the icebreaker/poster sessions, despite the sumptuous food and beverage that was available throughout. The VUW Pipitea Campus and its facilities proved to be a great venue and with organisation from VUW’s Continuing Education, this large international marine science meeting ran without a hitch. If you weren’t there, you missed “a very worthwhile and interesting experience” (unsolicited feedback), but you’ve probably already heard about it from someone who was. We were able to award lots of prizes for some of the many excellent papers and posters presented during the four days. One of the highlights came right at the very end, during the conference dinner at Te Papa, with the presentation of the NZ Marine Sciences Award to Dr Dennis Gordon, NIWA scientist, world renowned for his expertise in bryozoans and marine biodiversity. Well not quite at the very end, because there was still the night’s entertainment from the Beat Girls to bring the conference to a loud and energetic conclusion.

The Council in 2005-06 …

The Society’s AGM, held during the Conference and attended as usual by only a fraction of the membership, included the President’s Report (highlighting efforts at communication), the unaudited financial report (which the incoming Council was asked to attend to expeditiously), a summary of the subscription and membership situation (deemed satisfactory), and some discussion of venues for conferences in 2006 (undecided) and 2007 (Waikato offered).

The election of the new Council was held, and your NZMSS Council for 2005/06 comprises:-

President: Bob Hickman Vice President: Kathy Walls

Immediate Past President: Mark Gibbs

Treasurer: Andrea Alfaro Secretary: Alison MacDiarmid

Council Members: Mark Costello; Martin Cryer; Steve Dawson; Jonathan Gardner; Colin McLay; Don Neale; Mary Sewell

Membership Secretary: Brian Paavo

Student Representatives: Kate Steger (VUW); Kareen Schnabel (Otago)

The Council will get together shortly to discuss matters arising from the AGM and make plans for regular communication by means of conference calls throughout the coming year. So if you’ve already got something you want the Council to consider, please contact the Secretary, Alison MacDiarmid (a.macdiarmid@niwa.co.nz)

*******************Contact your Council if you want to know more********************