Two Oceans Aquarium Curator Michael Farquhar is also the head of the 2012 International Aquarium Congress (IAC) Programme Committee.

The IAC is one of the most prestigious global events on the aquarium industry calendar and it comes around only once every four years.

This year, in September, it’s taking place in Cape Town and we are the hosts! So, what will delegates be getting up to while they’re here in sunny South Africa? Michael gives us a preview in this short video …

Incidentally, Michael will be presenting the keynote paper in the 2012 IAC “In-situ Conservation” category. Entitled “A five-year sandtiger (Carcharias taurus) release and satellite tagging programme”, Michael will give delegates an insider’s look at our ragged-tooth shark release programme, which was established in 2004 to allow our raggies to complete their lifecycles naturally.

The Two Oceans Aquarium Youth Symposium

As part of the 2012 IAC, we have created a huge opportunity for learners and students.

The Two Oceans Aquarium Youth Symposium has been rescheduled to Sunday 19 August 2012. We want kids to get involved in ocean conservation by either making a video or participating in live discussions.

All interested high school and university students will be invited to present a speech of no more than five minutes, in which they propose the changes they would like aquarium authorities from across the globe to implement.

These need to focus on engendering positive and lasting impacts on our marine ecosystems.

A panel of selected guests and members of the symposium will adjudicate.

All entries must be submitted by midday on 13 August 2012.

Click here to find out more about this great event or email education@aquarium.co.za for more information. We look forward to hearing from you!

Attend the opening day of the 2012 IAC

For the opening day of the 2012 IAC (9 September), we have booked a large auditorium at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in order to accommodate an extra 500 invited high school, university and college students from across South Africa. Entry to the first day of the event is free, including the symposium, but entrants must please remember to preregister.

The aim is to expose this school-related audience to the role that aquariums play in the conservation of our oceans, and to involve them in discussions on some of the key issues regarding education programmes in such facilities.