The 1997 ICES Annual Science Conference, the 85th Statutory Meeting, will be held from 25 September to 3 October at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel situated in the centre of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The 1997 ASC will witness the implementation of the new Committee structure agreed at the 1996 ASC: responsibilities will be transferred from the old Subject/Area Committee system to the new interdisciplinary Science Committee system. The new structure has been the subject of intensive debate and will undoubtedly continue to be so during the ASC as the details are reviewed and refined. A quick run-down of some of the highlights of the 1997 ASC programme:
Open Lecture by Dr Katherine Richardson on "Algal Blooms: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly", followed by a Response to it from Professor Sandra Shumway;
Theme Sessions on:
The Role of Small-Scale Physical and Biological Processes in the Dynamics of Harmful Algal Blooms (O): Conveners DrP.Gentien and Dr P. Donaghay
Diadromous Fish Extinction: Threats on Local and Global Scales (P): Conveners Prof. B. Jonsson and Dr R. Waples
By-Catch of Marine Mammals: Gear Technology, Behaviour, and Kill Rates (Q): Conveners Dr A. Bjørge, Dr G. T. Waring, and Dr G. Massart
Arctic Oceanographic Processes (R): Conveners Dr J. M. Bewers, L. Føyn, and H. Loeng
Spatial Gradients in Estuarine Systems (S): Conveners Prof. E. Houde, Prof. D. Schnack, Prof. T.R. Osborn, and E. Aro
GLOBEC: Results from Interdisciplinary Programmes in the North Atlantic (T): Conveners Dr P. Wiebe and Dr S. Sundby
Reproductive Disturbances of Marine Species, and Contaminant-Related Issues (U): Convener Dr J. McDowell
Applying the Precautionary Approach in Fisheries and Environmental Management (V): Conveners E. Kirkegaard, Dr K. Richardson, and Dr F. M. Serchuk
The Catching Performance of Fishing Gears Used in Surveys (W): Convener Dr S. J. Walsh
Synthesis and Critical Evaluation of Research Surveys (Y): Conveners F. van Beek and Dr R. L. Stephenson
As Others See Us... (Z): Convener A.Maucorps
Aquaculture and Genetics (AA): Conveners Prof. J. Mork and Dr M. Héral
Biology and Behaviour (I) (BB): Convener Dr H. Heessen
Biology and Behaviour (II) (CC): Convener Dr M. F. Borges
Assessment Methods (DD): Convener F.van Beek
Environmental Factors (EE): Conveners Dr F. Köster and Dr U. Piatkowski
Fisheries Technology (FF): Conveners O. Misund and C. W. West
Trophic Relationships (GG): Convener Dr H. Rumohr
Poster Session (HH): Convener Dr K. Friedland