Cancun, Mexico  –  Noted marine biologists from some of the world's most prestigious research institutions will present their research at the Third Annual Whale Shark Festival in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, this July, have been announced. 

The scientists – who hail from the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, the Center for Shark Research/Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida, the nonprofit Ecocean and Mexico's Project Domino -- will discuss marine conservation and whale shark preservation during an Academic Conference to be held concurrently with the Whale Shark Festival July 16-18, 2010 in Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

The Academic Conference will be held July 17, 2010 at City Hall, Isla Mujeres.  Admission is free.  Members of the scientific community as well as the general public are welcome.

"It's exciting for the Georgia Aquarium to continue working with Project Domino in studying the whale sharks of Quintana Roo.  The waters of Quintana Roo are home to the most exceptional gathering of whale sharks known to science and a host of other beautiful and important marine species," said Dr. Al Dove, Senior Scientist, Georgia Aquarium and presenter at the Whale Shark Festival. 

"We are thrilled to have such noted researchers participate in the Academic Seminars.  They have come from all over the world to present their conclusions on whale shark migration and preservation," said John Vater, co-founder of ecotourism travel agency Ceviche Tours, a key sponsor of the Whale Shark Festival.  "This is an important time to study marine conservation and how to protect our oceans and its inhabitants."  

The schedule for the Academic Conference is as follows:

July 17, 2010

4:30-5:15pm

"The Utila Connection" 

Research collaboration program of the Whale Shark between México-Honduras
Presented by Biol. Beatriz Eugenia Galván Pastoriza
Project Domino, Mexico

5:15-6:00pm

"Afuera 2009, an extraordinary aggregation of Whale Sharks."
Biol. Rafael de la Parra Venegas, Research Coordinator
Project Domino, Mexico

6:00-6:45pm

"Threats for Whale Sharks in the Gulf of Mexico."
Dr. Robert Hueter, Director, Center for Shark Research
Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida, E.U.A.
www.mote.org

6:45-7:30pm

"Whale Sharks: from the aquarium to the sea."
Dr. Al Dove, Senior Scientist
Georgia Aquarium
www.georgiaaquarium.org

7:30-8:00pm

"Whale shark community monitoring: understanding a threatened species"
Darcy Bradley, International Outreach Coordinator
Ecocean
www.ecocean.org