CALL FOR POSTER ABSTRACTS

Thank you for your interest in the 2005 National Marine Mammal Stranding Network Conference. The poster abstract submission is closed. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to nmfs.nmsnc@noaa.gov.

The NOAA Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program and the Steering Committee encourage you to participate in the poster session at the National Marine Mammal Stranding Conference. Depending on the number of abstracts submitted, the attended poster sessions may be divided over two days, but all posters will be on display for the duration of the conference. The poster sessions provide the opportunity for organizations or individuals within organizations to present their research, response, and/or rehabilitation efforts and offer an excellent venue for extended informal discussion with meeting attendees. We are particularly seeking posters highlighting accomplishments resulting from funding received through the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program. This will be the first poster session we have sponsored at a national meeting devoted entirely to health and stranding issues to allow you to share with your colleagues.

Abstracts are being solicited for the poster session. Abstracts may be submitted by organizations or by individuals within organizations. There is no limit on the number of abstracts that may be submitted by an organization or individual. All poster abstracts will be peer-reviewed by the Poster Committee, and not all abstracts will be selected for presentation. Abstracts will be judged on a variety of factors, including relevance and value of information presented to the stranding network, scientific or technical merit, and clarity of poster summary.

Presentors will be notified by email regarding acceptance of the poster, the poster number, and the session and time assigned. Abstracts from accepted posters will be printed in the 2005 National Marine Mammal Stranding Conference Proceedings.

Poster Committee includes: Dr. Teri Rowles (Chair), Sue Barco, Dr. Frances Gulland, Bill McLellan, and Sarah Wilkin.

• Education and Training
• Science
• Innovative Techniques, Procedures, and Protocols
• Case Studies
• Enhancement of Response, Rehabilitation, or Necropsy Practices

ABSTRACT FORMAT: Prepare an abstract (1000 words or less; a Microsoft Word document; Font 12; and Times New Roman) describing the subject matter of the presentation in adequate detail to inform the attendees of the goal and expected outcome of the poster. Abstracts should include the following:

• abstract title;
• author(s) listed by first name, middle initial, last name;
• organization of each author;
• contact information for primary author (including e-mail address);
• name of associated recognized stranding network organization;
• choice of poster category (listed above);
• three keywords;
• summary of the poster including methods, results, and an explanation of the importance and relevance of the work to the stranding network.

POSTER FORMAT: Posters should be no larger than 40” tall X 48” wide and include font that is readable from normal poster viewing distance (4-6 feet away).

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION: Please submit your abstract(s) for the poster session by MARCH 14, 2005. Only abstracts that meet the submission deadline will be considered. Please only submit final abstracts. This will be available to the public on February 15, 2005.