SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM

In preparation for the workshop, registered participants will receive aworking paper that reviews the status of beluga research in areas commontoaquaria and wild beluga management interests. This is intended to bringparticipants up to speed in areas that may be outside their particularareasof expertise in preparation for discussion and collaboration during theworkshop.

The workshop will extend over two-and-a-half days with the goal of producing a research agenda that will be mutually beneficial to managers of belugas in both the wild and captive environment. It will simultaneously develop a list of public education goals to guide aquarium, eco-tour, and scientific outreach educational programs.

The workshop will consist of four sessions led by invited speakers, followed by in-depth discussion. A reporter will summarize the key ideas from each session and these will feed into the development of a draft research agenda by the scientific committee.

On the last day, the draft research agenda will be presented for discussion, revision and approval by the workshop participants. Throughout the workshop, posters about beluga research, husbandry, management, traditional knowledge, eco-tourism, and educational outreach will be displayed for review and discussion.

   Workshop sessions and invited talks schedule is available here