Welcome

The SAFARI Initiative (Societal Applications in Fisheries and Aquaculture using Remotely-sensed Imagery) is organising an International Symposium on Remote Sensing and Fisheries from 15-17 February 2010 in Kochi, India. This symposium will highlight case studies using Earth observation data with contributions from key fisheries systems around the world.

SAFARI aims to accelerate the assimilation of satellite Earth observation data into fisheries research and management on a global scale. This initiative, funded by the Canadian Space Agency, falls under the Group of Earth Observation (GEO) Task AG-06-02, which calls for consultation at the international level to identify opportunities for enhanced utilization of Earth observation data in fisheries and aquaculture.

The poster for this symposium can be viewed here.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

1. Poster Specifications: Posters must be in A0 size (0.85 m x 1.2 m) and in portrait (vertical) orientation.

2. A limited number of rooms have been reserved for conference participants at The Abad Plaza Hotel and The Abad Atrium Hotel, which are located next door to each other. To book accommodations, please contact Mr S.S. Rana, the manager of these hotels, at: 'rana -at- abadhotels.com' or 9895112330 (mobile). In order to get the special conference rate you will need to indicate that you are a participant of the SAFARI Symposium. In addition, please copy 'info -at- geosafari.org' and 'pravinp2005 -at- gmail.com' on all correspondence.

To facilitate bookings for participants that DO NOT wish to stay at Abad's, CIFT has arranged for Ocean Color Holidays (Santosh and/or Deepa) to book accommodations for all participants; they will also arrange airport/train pickup and any excursions you may wish to take during your stay in Kochi. In addition, Ocean Color Holidays can confirm bookings if you have any concerns with your current reservation. Ocean Color Holidays can be contacted at: oceancolor -at- gmail.com or Ocean Color Holidays.

3. SAFARI is pleased to announce that a three-day training course will be held in Kochi (NIO RC, Kochi) prior to the SAFARI Symposium (February 11-13, 2010). The programme for the training session can be downloaded here.

NOTE: All spaces for the training course have been filled. Applications will no longer be accepted.

4. A ChloroGIN general meeting will take place immediately after the SAFARI symposium, from February 18-19, 2010. Please click here for more details.

If you would like to attend this meeting, please inform the SAFARI organisers (info -at- geosafari.org) if you have not already done so.