This is a last call for student pre-registrants interested in applying for
a one-week course in Shark Biology and Ecology taught in July on Paradise
Island, Bahamas.  Application forms will be issued by e-mail to interested
students within one week.

COURSE TITLE:  BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF SHARKS AND RAYS

Offered By:  Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory
Dates:  July 13-20, 1997
Location:  Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Lecturers:  Dr. Robert Hueter, Dr. Enric Cortes and Dr. Charles Manire of
the Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory; Dr. Jose Castro of
the National Marine Fisheries Service, Miami Laboratory; and Dr. Philip
Motta of the University of South Florida.

This week-long course in elasmobranch biology covers selected topics of
interest to advanced undergraduates, beginning graduate students, science
teachers and other interested persons.  The course begins with an
introduction to elasmobranch taxonomy and evolution and the general
ecology of tropical Atlantic marine environments.  Four selected topics of
elasmobranch biology follow:  1) reproductive biology; 2) sensory biology;
3) feeding mechanisms and ecology; and 4) life history patterns of sharks
indigenous to the tropical western Atlantic.  The course includes
discussions of the population biology of sharks and rays as related to
contemporary conservation issues.  Approximately 15 hours of lecture time
and 30 hours of laboratory/field time are involved.

The course this summer will be held at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise
Island (just north of Nassau) in the Bahamas.  Atlantis is a world-class
resort that includes an incredible 3 million gallon saltwater aquarium
facility with over 100 species of tropical fish in captivity, including at
least eight species of sharks and six species of rays (for more info on
Atlantis, see http://www.cpscaribnet.com/ads/atlantis/atlantis.html).

Class activities will include snorkeling in shallow water environments,
longline fishing to collect and tag large sharks, and two afternoon
two-tank scuba diving trips, all involving sharks, off New Providence
Island with Stuart Cove's Dive South Ocean (http://www.stuartcove.com).
The first dive will be an 80-ft. reef wall dive with Caribbean reef sharks
followed by a 45-ft. sand-bottom dive with primarily female Caribbean
reef, blacktip and nurse sharks.  The second dive will be at an ocean buoy
in the Tongue of the Ocean with juvenile silky sharks followed by a
shallow dive with male Caribbean reef sharks.

Students and instructors will be housed at Atlantis' Pirates Cove facility
and will have full access to Atlantis facilities including aquarium, water
park and beaches.  Full-course breakfasts and dinners will be provided;
lunches will be on your own.

Cost of the one-week course:  $1,500 per student.  Cost includes:
Roundtrip airfare from Miami, Florida, including all taxes; room and board
(not including lunches) for seven days; and two two-tank scuba dives
(including tanks, weights and belts but not other equipment, which can be
rented at additional cost).

** The course is limited to 20 students.  This is a final solicitation of
interest to all students, professionals and other persons interested in
shark biology with some background in biological science.  A full
application including copies of college transcripts will be required.  To
register your interest and receive an application and more information,
please contact Dr. Bob Hueter at the addresses/telephone numbers below.
Communications and applications by e-mail (to [log in to unmask]) are
preferred. **

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ROBERT E. HUETER, Ph.D.                           [log in to unmask]
Senior Scientist & Director                       Tel:  941-388-4441 X323
Center for Shark Research                         Fax:  941-388-4312
Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway                         MORE INFO AT:
Sarasota, FL 34236 USA                            http://www.mote.org

  MML is an independent, nonprofit research and education organization.
    Opinions expressed are not MML policy unless otherwise indicated.
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