🚀 go-pugleaf

The rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) is a fish species that is found in
numerous rivers and lakes in eastern North America as either anadromous
or landlocked populations. Its great fecundity and relative abundance
allows it to support both commercial and sport fisheries. The population
dynamics of this forage fish can in  itself  greatly influence the whole
ecosystem. It is in effect an important element in the diet of many
species of sport fish, as well as marine mammals. Moreover the rainbow
smelt is of great interest for fundamental research because of  its life
cycle, its migrations, its capacity for adaptation, and its
distribution. In spite of all this many of the studies and work done on
this species still remain little known and unpublished  forgotten on
dusty shelves in someones office.

The  pooling and diffusion of this knowledge could definitely contribute
to better understanding  and appreciating not only the significance of
ongoing studies and fundamental research but  also could give more
insight, based on a greater understanding of population dynamics, into
the pertinence of present day management policies.

In order to provide the opportunity and the forum necessary to permit
the exchange of ideas and opinions between those people interested in
learning more on the rainbow smelt and willing to share their own
experiences we are proposing to convene, in Quebec city, the first North
American workshop on rainbow smelt.

The event will be February 21 to 23 1999, actually most of the program
is prepared (attached file). We have already more than 60 positives
answers and the scientific level is quite interesting. Simultaneous
traduction will be provided.

The workshop is shedule to be a two days event (21-23 february 1999) at
the clarendon Hotel, consisting in four half day with each one
containing a bloc of pesentations (for example 20 minutes) followed by
an open exchange period.  Inscription fees will be 50$ can. that will be
used mainly to produce a written resume of the worshop.  Following your
answer, we will contact you to give you more information about the
event.

Friendly yours,


Organizing Committee of North American Workshop on Rainbow Smelt

Julian J. Dodson / Frederic Lecomte LAVAL UNIVERSITY

Guy Trencia / Pierre Berube Quebec Ministry of Environment
 and Wildlife
Luc Bouchard / Charles Lesueur Lac St.Jean Ecology Center

ADDRESS ALL INQUIRIES TO

Frederic Lecomte
G.I.R.O.Q.
University Laval
Quebec, Canada
G1K 7P4
Tel: 1-418-656-2131 #8022
Fax: 1-418-656-2339
E-mail: frederic.lecomte@giroq.ulaval.ca