Dear Jim and annelida scientists,
It is nice to see the formation of our own newsgroup on internet which will
allow us to discuss some issues important to all of us in a more causal
format. The questions arised in Jim's message are very important ones. I
would be very happy to learn and to join the discussion. Also, I have my
own questions to give. One of most difficult one but very practical one is
how we could promote the fundamental research of annelids today. In China
and other countries, funding for basic scientific research is very hard to
come nowadays, a sharp decline in man power in polychaete research in China
is a bad signal to us. Possibly within 10-15 years (after the old
generation retires), we will not be able to continue any taxonomy work or
ecological studies in this region. In fact, it is a common problem for all
of taxonomical groups. We need some actions.
Pei-Yuan Qian
Assist. prof., Department of Biology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong
Fax: 852-2358-1559; Tel: 852-2358-7331
E-mail: boqianpy at usthk.ust.hk
_____________________
Meeting announcement:
I am currently invovled in organizing the "Asia-Pacific Conference on
Science and Management of Coastal Environment" which will be held from 25 to
28 28 June 1996 on this campus. The conference will cover the following
areas: biodiversity, productivity, sustainability of ecosystem, mangrove
ecology, habitat recovery, natural product, ecotoxicology, pollution
control, impact & fate of maine pollutants, waste treatment, bioremediation,
eutrophication, dredging & sediment contamination, marine toxins and
diseases, seafood contaminants, carcinogens/toxicology, transgenic
organisms, recombinant hormones & their applications, application of
molecular biology techniques in marine biology/ecological research,
mariculture & fishery, conservation of coastal ecosystem, beach erosion and
nourishement, impact assessment, legislation and policy, management
strategy, reclamation, sediment behaviour and transport. 18 scientists
have been invited as keynote speakers from over the worlds (including A. O.
D. Willows, director of Friday Harbor Lab, Jarl-Ove Stromberg from
Kristineberg marine research station, sweden, Joe Baker from Australia, Choy-
Leong Hew from U. of Toronto, Canada.....). Deadline for submission of
abstracts is on Jan. 15, 1996 and deadline of early registration in on March
31, 1996. Please contact me if you need further information and I can send
your a copy of second announcement.
Pei-Yuan Qian
