• NaGISA World Congress 2006

  Over 130 participants from 27 countries (31 nationalities) gathered in Kobe, Japan for the First NaGISA World Congress from October 15 to 18, 2006. The gathering was meant to: facilitate the interaction of near shore benthic ecologists and taxonomists; strengthen the connection between NaGISA and complementary projects; present research and results from the NaGISA project.

  The most obvious outcome from the congress was that the NaGISA network has truly become global and that with the help of the dedicated researchers on board we may reach both our scientific goals (to elucidate scale of variability while creating the first global baseline of coastal biodiversity) and our more long-term aspirations (increasing coastal community marine awareness, improving the state of benthic taxonomy).

  Thank you to all who participated!

  Group photo taken on the morning of October 17th 2006 Kobe Japan

  

  Further Information...

  Photos from the congress can be seen on the Congress Photo Page.

  Copies of the proceedings, posters from the event etc. can be requested by contacting HQ offices.

  A full transcript of Jesse Ausubel`s opening speech on October the 15th can be downloaded as a PDF ( 56 KB).

  Authours wishing to submit a paper to the Special Edition Publication should follow the instructions given here: `Full Paper` Instructions to Authors (PDF 32 KB)

Meetings in the Caribbean and South American Region

Meetings have been held in Venezuela (Margarita Island, Caracas).

• Margarita Island, Venezuela

  Date: 15-17 June 2004

  Meeting: First Caribbean CoML Workshop

  Re: The CoML Regional Plan

  NaGISA Participant/Presenter: Robin Rigby

  
  

  CoML Participants: Ron O`Dor (secretariat), Victor Gallardo (South America Region), James Woods (OBIS), Poul Holm (HMAP), Marjorie Reaka-Kudla (Coral Reefs)

  Comments: The meeting centered on the implementation of CoML projects in the Caribbean Region. In this manner NaGISA was introduced and found to be very relative to a number of the participants and there representative institutions. Interested parties divided off from the main group and discussed the application of NaGISA to the Caribbean Region. An attempt was made to note the agencies and bodies currently working in biodiversity and the region and those that would benefit from collaboration with NaGSIA (instead of just those from which NaGISA could benefit). Dr. Paula Spiniello of the Universidad Central de Venezuela agreed to take on the budding project after being elected regional Project Investigator (RPI). It was agreed that a number of steps needed to be taken including securing regional participation and assessing the individual needs of NaGISA in the Caribbean region. With this as a preliminary goal a regional committee is currently being formed

Meetings in the Eastern Pacific Region

Meetings have been held in United States (San Diego and Fairbanks), Canada (Vancouver).

• San Diego, California

  Date: 16-18 April 2004

  Meeting: Eastern Pacific NaGISA First Regional Meeting

  Re:The EPAC regional Plan

  NaGISA Participants/Presenters: Brenda Konar, Matthew Edwards, Robin Rigby

  CoML Participants: Ron O`Dor (secretariat), Karen Stocks(OBIS)

  Other participants: Todd Anderson, Brian Hentschel, Kevin Hovel (San Diego State University) Rusty Fairey (California Department of Fish & Game; Erin Maloney (Moss Landing Marine Laboratories); Jane Watson (Malaspina University, Nanaimo Campus BC); Gustavo Hernández-Carmona (CICIMAR, La Paz, BCS); Rafael Riosmena-Rodriguez (UABCS, La Paz, BCS)

  Comments: BK & RR gave an overview of international NaGISA, project vision and NaGISA protocols. this was followed by discussions of regional management and collaboration. Integration of the project in to current biodiversity studies going on in the EPAC region were discussed as well as protocol expansion in to rhodilth and fish diversity. The general conclusion was that the region would remain a loose affiliation of scientists willing to carry out NaGISA protocols and would be coordinated through the regional office in Fairbanks Alaska with the help of sub regional chiefs; ME in California and RRR in Baja California. It was agreed on that there needed to be more participation from colleges to be found south of Juno and north of California and that South of Baja would be co- collaborated with the South American Group.

Meetings in the European Region

Meetings have been held in Germany (Frankfurt and Hamburg), France (Paris), Poland (Gdansk), Italy (Pisa).

• Frankfurt Germany

  Date: 2-3 Nov 2005

  Meeting: NaGISA SSG (followed by the Census of Marine Life All Programs Meeting)

  NaGISA Participants: Yoshihisa Shirayama -NaGISA PI (also rep. WestPac NaGISA), Robin Rigby -NaGISA Coordinator (also rep. Indian Ocean NaGISA), Brenda Konar -EPac NaGISA RPI, Patricia Miloslavich -South Amer. NaGISA RPI (also rep. Caribbean NaGISA), Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi -European NaGISA RPI, Iacopo Bertocci- European NaGISA Manager, Gabriel Navas –SAm Participant

  Comments: A summary of decisions and discussion points are available through HQ for all interested NaGISA members

• Paris France

  Date: 1-3 Dec 2004

  Meeting: Census of Marine Life SSC Meeting and Outreach Liaisons Workshop

  NaGISA Participants/Presenters: Yoshihisa Shirayama and Robin Rigby

  Other participants: CoML SSC members, Regional Leaders and O&E liaisons

  Comments: none at this time

• Hamburg Germany

  26-27 Nov 2004

  Meeting: OBIS SSG meeting

  NaGISA Participant: Robin Rigby

  Other participants: OBIS SSG members

  Comments: none at this time

  
  

• Gdnask Poland

  Date: 1-3 April 2004

  Meeting: MARBENA workshop hosted by Dr Jan Marcin Weslawski, Institute for Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences

  Re: An introduction to NaGISA followed by a discussion on its application to monitoring biodiversity in Europe

  NaGISA Participant/Presenter: Tetsuya Kato

  Other participants: Jan Marcin Weslawski (Poland), Pim van Avesaath (Netherlands), Edward van den Berghe (Belgium), Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi (Italy), Aleksander Drgas (Poland), Carlo Heip (Netherlands), Isabel Sousa Pinto (Portugal), Chris Emblow (Ireland), Valentina Todorova (Bulgaria), Kari Ellingsen (Norway), Christos Arvanitidis (Greece), Guy Baker (UK), Snejana Moncheva (Bulgaria), Henn Ojaveer (Estonia), Sabine Cochrane (Norway), Fred Buchholz (Germany), Paul Somerfield (UK), Jonne Kotta (Estonia), Krzysztof Jazdzewski (Poland), Helen Orav-Kotta (Estonia), Tihomir Makovec (Slovania).

  Comments: TK introduced NaGISA`s concept, research plan and supporting activities to the participants. The hope was that a European Regional group could be initiated and although at the time of the meeting that seemed to be possible recent communication has confirmed that instead of gathering under a united flag member states will be free to join NaGISA international directly and that at some future date regional cooperation will again be attempted. So far Italy, Ireland, Germany and Poland have shown interest. (Updated July 2004)

  Update: We now have a European Regional Center and information will be forth coming!

Meetings in the Indian Ocean Region

Meetings have been held in Australia (Perth), Mauritius (Grand Baie), Kenya (Mombassa).

• Perth Australia

  Date: 14-18 Feb 2005

  Meeting: Indian Ocean Marine Environmental Conference (IOMEC) 2005

  Re: Introducing the NaGISA concept to the Indian Ocean Region

  NaGISA Participant/Presenter: Robin Rigby

  Download the presentation given here (PDF 2.0MB)

  Comments: Rr introduced NaGISA`s concept, research plan and activities to the participants. The hope was that direct contacts could be made with researchers in the region which with help could grow and strengthen the regional group. could be initiated and it seems possible with new contacts having been made in Australia, India, Kenya, Malaysia and Sir Lanka. Further communication with each interested participant is ongoing and will hopefully be able to bee seen in the Indian Ocean Regional Plan set to be released in the fall (Updated April 2005)

• Grand Baie Mauritius

  Date: Aug 29- Sept 3

  Meeting: 4th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium

  Re: Discussions with potential IO participants

  NaGISA Participant/Presenter: Edward Kimani

  Download the brochure handed out here (PDF 174 KB)

  Comments: EK introduced NaGISA`s concept to individual participants with the hope that he could initiate interest in the Western Pacific region. New contacts have been established with: Kenya, Tanzania/Zanzibar, Mozambique, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoro Islands and Reunion. (Updated Sept 2005)

Meetings in the Western Pacific Region

Meetings have been held in Japan (FMAP/NaGISA Joint meeting in Kyoto and NaGISA SSG meeting in Kyoto), Thailand (Bangkok and Phuket), Philippians (Palawan), China (Chingtao), Vietnam (NhaTrang and Hanoi), Indonesia (Lombok).

• FMAP/ NaGISA Joint Synergy Meeting- Kyoto, Japan

  Date: 16th November 2004

  NaGISA Members: Shirayama, Rigby, Kato, Spiniello, Konar, Iken, Benedetti-Cecchi, Rodriguez, Aryuthaka, O`Dor

  FMAP Members: Kishi, Takimoto, Katsukawa, Kondoh, Yamauchi, Tsuji, Matusda, Harada, Myers, Mora, Tittensor, McPherson, Fernandez, Calian

  Comments: Four areas of cooperation were established between FMAP and NaGISA:

  • The development of standard statistical methods and software to analyze the unique data types that NaGISA will produce. This collaboration will start with the assemblage of one demonstration data set that includes the full data structure for a limited number of taxa. FMAP will use this data set to create software that is capable of dealing with the dependent levels of hierarchy and the non-Gaussian nature of NaGISA data. There will be four stages to this collaboration: 1) A subset of NaGISA data will be handed over to FMAP. 2) The possible models will be identified 3) the new methods will be tested and specific statistical experts drafted to work closely with NaGISA scientists. 4) The methods will be made available to NaGISA scientists through software package and training workshops.

  • Standard mapping tools that will optimally display the unusual linear NaGISA data. This will start in mid 2005 and will include the participation of OBIS and occur possibly in relation to the developing OBIS-ESRI initiatives.

  • The development of community dynamic models that will model and predict the NaGISA data types. This will develop from the connections initiated at the meeting. Several potential collaborators were present and as a first step we will consider opportunities to involve them directly in future NaGISA activities, i.e. creating opportunities for them to spend time at one of the centers or have them work with our regional leaders.

  • The development of synthetic large-scale ecological models that can be applied to NaGISA data. This will be a final conclusion of individual cooperation between NaGISA and FMAP participants.

• NaGISA SSG Kyoto, Japan

  Date: 15th November 2004

  NaGISA Members: Shirayama, Rigby, Kato, Sato, Spiniello, Konar, Iken, Benedetti-Cecchi, Rodriguez, Aryuthaka, O`Dor

  Comments: This was the first meeting of NaGISA International. The international team members, Eastern and Western Pacific Regional Investigators were joined by the Caribbean, European and RI`s and national leaders from Baja- California and Thailand. South America was represented in absentia. The agenda included reports from each area, discussion of NaGISA`s scientific and political goals, assessment of the managerial structure in terms of how it meets these goals and how these goals are reflected in the budget and in the project timeline. Other specific goals included; the identification of areas that needed to be brought up to speed and how to do it, the identification of gaps in the sampling coverage and what efforts could be made to fill them, the identification of proposals that will be written and a timeline for field work, scientific collaborations and first publications.

• Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand

  Date: 20-21 June 2004

  Meeting: Opening of the Kasetsart University research center, Bangkok, Thailand

  Re: The setting up of the KU NaGISA research center

  NaGISA Participant: Tetsuya Kato

  Other participants: Dr Chittima Aryuthaka (Faculty of Fisheries, KU), Wachirah, Kosti, Chawaporn, Suphatta, Nun, Krang (KU NaGISA research center staff)

  Comments: The official opening of the KU NaGISA research center included an introduction to the concept behind NaGISA to the new staff members and a managerial meeting at which TK and CA discussed research center particulars. Under discussion was the physical move planed in September from the current location in the faculty of fisheries to an off campus location.

• Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand

  Date: 20 April 2004

  Re: The establishment the Kasetsart University NaGISA Research Center

  NaGISA Attendees: Yoshihisa Shirayama and Tetsuya Kato

  Comments: YS, TK, Dr Yont Musig (Dean of Faculty of Fisheries, KU) and Dr Chittima Aryuthaka (Faculty of Fisheries, KU) met to discuss the establishment of a NaGISA research center in Kasetsart University. Mutual agreement was reached and a working schedule was laid out including plans for the opening (see report :Opening of Research Center June 20)

• Phuket

  Date: October 2002

  Meeting: Opening of the field station at Phuket Marine Biological Center, Thailand

  Re: The official signing of the papers

  NaGISA Attendees: Yoshihisa Shirayama

  Date: September 2002

  Meeting: WESTPAC Meeting Phuket Thailand

  NaGISA Attendees: Yoshihisa Shirayama

  Comments: Presentation of the NaGISA plan `a continuation of coastal DWIPA to WESTPAC members

• Puerto-Princesa, Palawan island, Philippines

  

  Date: 2-3 December 2004

  Meeting: JSPS Multilateral Cooperative Research Program: Coastal Oceanography Coordinators Meeting

  Re: An introduction to NaGISA followed by a discussion of the establishment of a Chinese National committee for the Census of Marine Life

  NaGISA Presenter: Tetsuya Kato

  Comments: TK`s presentation entitled ` Progress Report of the JSPS sub project on Benthic Biodiversity` detailed cooperation between JSPS and NaGISA and highlighted the taxonomic workshops held in Thailand and Vietnam. See the abstract (PDF 18 KB).

• Chingtao, China

  Date: 28-30 April 2004

  Meetings: The national working conference for the strategic development of Marine Biology in China, and workshop for the Census of Marine Life in China, both held in Qingdao, China

  Re: An introduction to NaGISA followed by a discussion of the establishment of a Chinese National committee for the Census of Marine Life

  NaGISA Presenter: Tetsuya Kato

  CoML participants: Fred Grassle (CoML SSC; OBIS), Ron O’Dor (CoML secretariat), Shuhei Nishida (CMarZ) and Yunqing Phoebe Zhang (OBIS)

  Comments: TK`s introduction of NaGISA to workshop participants resulted in procuring interest from 10 oceanology and marine biology scientists representing 4 different institutes. Theses contacts are being followed up with instructions on NaGISA protocols and will hopefully lead to a NaGISA site in China.

• Vietnam - Nha Trang

  Date: 19-22 July 2004

  Meeting: Workshop for the Port Biological Baseline Survey in Nha Trang, Vietnam, hosted by GloBallast (Global Ballast Water Monitoring Program) of IMO (International Maritime Organization)

  Re: An introduction to NaGISA followed by a discussion about collaboration between NaGISA, GloBallast and Vietnam.

  NaGISA Participant/Presenter: Tetsuya Kato

  Other participants: Steve Raaymaker (GloBallast, IMO), Jose Matheickal (GloBallast, IMO), Guo Hao (China), Greame Inglis (New Zealand), Nguyen Viet Anh (IMO, Vietnam), Nguyen Tac An (Director NIO), Nguyen Ngoc Lam (Senior researcher, NIO), and about 20 staff of NIO and IMO, Vietnam.

  Comments: TK introduced the concept, research plan and supporting activities of NaGISA to GloBallast workshop participants and discussed the possibility of future collaboration between these two coastal water projects on biodiversity - specifically there common interest in Taxonomy.

  Date: 23 June 2004

  Meeting: Institute of Oceanography, Nha Trang, Vietnam

  Re: Upcoming JSPS/NaGISA workshop for amphipod taxonomy

  NaGISA Participant: Tetsuya Kato and Pham Dinh Trong

  Comments: TK, PDT and Ms Do Minh Thu (NIO International Relations Office) discussed workshop details and confirmed logistics (lecture rooms, laboratories, hotels). TK and PDT checked the equipment needed for the workshop (microscopes and projectors) everything appeared satisfactory and registration will open on August 10 2004.

• Vietnam - Hanoi

  Date: 22 June 2004

  Meeting: National Center for Natural Sciences and Technology of Vietnam, Hanoi, Vietnam

  Re: Upcoming JSPS/NaGISA workshop for amphipod taxonomy

  NaGISA Participant: Tetsuya Kato and Pham Dinh Trong (head of Vietnam NaGISA)

  Comments: TK met with Dr Pham Dinh Trong (workshop organizer ) and Prof Dang Ngoc Thanh (workshop supervisor ) to discuss the appropriateness of holding the 20 participant workshop on Marine amphipod taxonomy at the National Institute of Oceanography in Nha Trang.