This week scientists from around the world will converge in Puerto Rico to discuss emerging science on Limnología y Oceanografía en un Mundo en Cambio, Limnology and Oceanography in a Changing World during the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography’s (ASLO) 2011 Aquatic Sciences Meeting.
The conference brings together freshwater and marine scientists to meet the challenge of global change, exploring diversity and connections across the range of aquatic systems impacted by humans.
The first ‘citywide’ convention to be held in San Juan in 2011, ASLO will gather over 1,700 delegates to seven official host properties in the metropolitan area.
The group, which selected the destination through its liaison with the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau and local aquatic research entities, represents a $2.6 million infusion into the Island’s local economy.
Host hotels for the program include the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, the Caribe Hilton, Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza, Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde, InterContinental San Juan Resort & Casino, La Concha – A Renaissance Resort and the Verdanza Hotel.
“This is an example of a high-profile citywide conference not only meeting at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, but also exploring the Island’s unique aquatic eco-systems as well as participating in an exchange of information with local aquatic researchers and specialists,” stated Ramón Sanchéz, executive vice president and COO, Puerto Rico Convention Bureau.
During the convention, ASLO attendees will attend plenary sessions, workshops, seminars and other presentations related to the field of aquatic science. In addition, researchers attending the convention
will visit some of Puerto Rico’s special aquatic reserves, including the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the San Juan Bay Estuary. Also as part of the program, attendees will experience a bit of Puerto Rico’s culture with a welcome reception sponsored by Rums of Puerto Rico at the Puerto Rico Convention Center.
Local sponsors of the ASLO meeting include the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, with additional support from Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the San Juan Bay Estuary Program, the University of Puerto Rico Sea Grant Program, Caribbean Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing System, UPRM – Department of Marine Sciences and the Center for Hemispheric Cooperation in Research and Education in Engineering and Applied Science –CoHem.
ASLO seeks to foster a diverse, international scientific community that creates, integrates and communicates knowledge across the full spectrum of aquatic sciences, advances public awareness and education about aquatic resources and research, and promotes scientific stewardship of aquatic resources for the public interest.
