International Conference on Recent Advances in Lobster Biology Aquaculture and Management

During the 8th international lobster conference in Charlottetown, Canada, in September 2007, the delegates felt the need to meet and exchange ideas more often and a review meeting midway through two lobster conferences was suggested. As the 9th International Lobster Conference is to be held in Norway in June 2011, the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, India came forward to conduct the proposed conference at Chennai, India in January 2010. India is among the major lobster landing countries in the world with an annual production of 2000 to 3000 tones of spiny and slipper lobsters. The focus of lobster research in India is on the biology, breeding, reproduction, nutrition, physiology, larval rearing and farming. The ecology, habitat conditions, post larval settlement and recruitment to fisheries and conservation of Indian lobsters remain unexplored. Collaborative projects in these fields involving leading lobster scientists across the world would greatly enhance the knowledge to develop strategies for optimum exploitation and conservation of lobster stock in India. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is organizing a four day International Conference on Recent Advances in Lobster Biology, Aquaculture and Management (RALBAM 2010) at NIOT premises in Chennai during 5-8 January 2010. The theme of the conference is a review of lobster research across the world and focus on lobster research in India to generate international cooperation in formulating projects on lobster management, ecology, habitat, biology, and aquaculture. The conference is being organized in collaboration with institutions/agencies connected with lobster research/fishery/export in India.