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<DIV><B><U><FONT face=Arial>
<P align=center>SUMMER COURSE</P></B></U>
<P></P>
<P align=center>FUNDACIÓN CIENTIFICA LOS ROQUES</P>
<P align=center>UNIVERSIDAD DE PUERTO RICO</P>
<P align=center>UNIVERSIDAD SIMÓN BOLIVAR</P>
<P align=center>CORAL REEF BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY</P>
<P align=center>DOS MOSQUISES MARINE LABORATORY</P>
<P align=center>ARCHIPIELAGO DE LOS ROQUES NATIONAL PARK, VENEZUELA</P>
<P align=center>JUNE 23 - JULY 4, 1999.</P></FONT><B><U><FONT face=Arial size=3>
<P align=center>SECOND ANNOUCEMENT</P></B></U></FONT><FONT face=Arial>
<P> </P>
<P> </P>
<P>The Fundación Cientifica los Roques announces an intensive summer
course in coral reef biology and ecology that will be taught at the Dos
Mosquises Marine Laboratory. The lab is located on the southwest corner of the
Archipielago Los Roques National Park, an atoll-like reef complex 110 km north
of the Venezuelan main coast. This reef complex boasts some of the best
developed and diverse coral reef, sea-grass beds and mangrove forests in the
Caribbean and is far away from continental and major anthropogenic influences.
Eco-tourism and a declining fisheries are the major human activities in the
area. </P>
<P>The course include topics in evolution of reef communities, modularity as an
evolutionary successful strategy, biology of major biological groups and their
ecological roles in the reef community, current anthropogenic and natural
threats and coral biogeography. A special session on sea-grass communities is
also included. Field and lab work include taxonomic identifications, reef and
sea-grass community characterization and structure, reef zonation, reef health
assessment, coral diseases, ecological and monitoring methods, etc. A detailed
program is available from Dr. Ernesto Weil. </P><B><U>
<P>Faculty :</P></B></U>
<P>Ernesto Weil, Ph.D Sven Zea, Ph.D</P>
<P>Associate Professor Associate Professor </P>
<P>Department of Marine Sciences Department of Biology</P>
<P>U. of Puerto Rico U. Nacional de Colombia-INVEMAR</P>
<P>David Bone, Ph.D</P>
<P>Associate Professor</P>
<P>Department of Biology</P>
<P>U. Simón Bolívar, Caracas.</P>
<P> </P><B><U>
<P>Cost:</B></U> The course cost is US $ 900.00 per student. This includes
tuition fees, dive activities, room and board, round trip transportation from
Caracas to Los Roques and limited insurance. Each participant will be required
to sign a release form at arrival. Costs of Visa to enter Venezuela and travel
to Caracas is the responsibility of the applicant. </P><B><U>
<P>How to get there</B></U>: Many US and other international carriers fly into
the Simón Bolivar International Airport, 15 km north of Caracas. The
Organizers will make all the arrangements for the round trip transportation from
Caracas to the field station. If a commercial airline is used, they land in the
main island of El Gran Roque, 20 km north-east of the Station. Boat
transportation (2 hours) will then be provided from El Gran Roque to the Dos
Mosquises Marine Lab.</P><B><U>
<P>Registration and dead lines</B></U>: Mail to either of the addresses below :
(1) Letter of application stating why you want to take the course and what is
your experience in coral reefs research, (2) two letters of recommendation, (3)
x-copy of current diving certificate, (4) Curriculum Vitae, (5) list of
undergraduate or graduate courses, (6) a deposit of US $ 100.00 (check to
Fundacion Cientifica Los Roques). Full payment of course must be done by June 15
th.</P><B><U>
<P>DEAD LINE</B></U> : MAY 24. Acceptance will be communicated within 5 days of
receiving your application. Remember that there is a limit of 15 students.
</P><B>
<P>International students</B> must get a visa to enter Venezuela. This could
take some time so plan accordingly. Contact the nearest Venezuelan Consulate or
your travel agent.</P>
<P></P>
<P>For information and/or sending your application contact:</P>
<P>Dr. Ernesto Weil : Dept. of Marine Sciences, U. of Puerto Rico. PO BOX 908,
Lajas, PR 00667. Pho: (787) 899-2048 x. 241 - Fax (787) 899-2630/5500, </P>
<P>If using courier, mail to: Dept. Marine Sciences, Isla Magueyes Lab. Road
304, Lajas, PR 00667.</P>
<P>Sr. Juan Carlos Fernandez. FCLR Apartado 1139. Caracas 1010-A Venezuela.</P>
<P>Pho: (58-2) 263-9729, Fax: (56-2) 261-3461, <A
href="mailto:fclr@reacciun.ve">fclr@reacciun.ve</A>.</FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Dr. Ernesto Weil<BR>Depart. of Marine Sciences,
UPR<BR>PO BOX 908 Lajas PR 00667<BR>Ph. (787) 899-2048 x. 241<BR>FAX (787)
899-2630/899-5500.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>