Photo taken by Tali Treibitz, Fiji, and entered into the Photographic Competition. The photos will be on display in the Gallery at the Cairns Convention Centre and the winners will be announced at the Banquet.

Message from Terry Hughes,
ICRS 2012 Convenor

It is not too late to register to come to ICRS 2012.
You can still register online until tomorrow, 29 June, or you can register on-site at the Cairns Convention Centre when you arrive.

These ICRS gatherings are critically important opportunities for advancing coral reef science, management and conservation, and certainly the need to improve our understanding and management of coral reefs grows ever urgent. The scientific program for the 12th ICRS looks fabulous and I am really looking forward to listening to as many presentations as possible. I encourage those of you who have not yet registered to do so, as it is another 4 years before the next one!

This edition...

ONLINE Registration closes tomorrow, Friday 29 June

Click here for information about registering to attend the world’s most important coral reef meeting, and to access the online registration form. You can still register on-site to attend ICRS 2012 at the Cairns Convention Centre when you arrive.
Social Media

Research, discussion and news from ICRS 2012 will be of interest to people around the globe. We want to build upon this interest, with you, the "people in the room", to generate a well informed, buzzing online discussion sharing the event’s findings and happenings.

So if you want to play your part in a valuable and interesting online conversation, you can engage directly with ICRS 2012’s social media.
Program Book, Book of Abstracts & Symposium Proceedings

Click on this link to see the Program Book with the complete scientific program. Here is the link to the Book of Abstracts.
You will receive an electronic copy of the Symposium Proceedings, on a memory stick, when you pick up your satchel.
ePosters - deadline is tomorrow, 29 June

If you are presenting a scientific poster at ICRS 2012, we have given you the option of archiving your poster on the ICRS 2012 website. Upload a PDF file of your poster here by tomorrow, Friday 29 June. Uploaded posters can be viewed from Monday, July 16.
Asking and answering questions during a presentation

Each presenter has been allocated a total talk time of either 5 or 15 minutes, including time for questions. Your session Chair will assess if sufficient time remains for questions, and ensure that each presentation ends within the allocated time.
Weather in Cairns

Typically in July, Cairns has perfect, sunny days with a maximum temperature of around 25°C (77°F).The average temperature overnight is 17°C (62°F), but it can be cooler. If you are overnighting in Brisbane or Sydney, remember it is winter. Please remember that both the Welcome Reception (Sunday 8 July, 1700 - 1830) and Banquet (Thursday 12 July, 1830-2300) are outdoor evening events, so bring warm clothing. Please also note the Banquet is in a park, with grass underfoot.

For those of you who are planning to snorkel or dive during your time in Cairns, the water temperature will be close to its annual minimum - we advise you to bring a wetsuit.
Support the Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs

We launched the portal for the Consensus Statement in mid-May and to date have collected over 2,400 signatures. To learn more and to sign the Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs, please click here.
Invitation to a Coral Triangle Initiative Meeting

This is your last opportunity to RSVP to attend the meeting on Science and Governance in the Center of Global Marine Biodiversity: The State of the Coral Triangle Reports which will be held from 1.30pm to 5.00pm on Saturday 7 July in Cairns. The event sees the release of the State of the Coral Triangle Report and will be attended by representatives from each of the six Coral Triangle countries. For further information, please contact Ms Abbie Trinidad, abbietrinidad@gmail.com.
Transport to and from Cairns Airport

The Cairns Airport is 5 kilometres from the city centre. We have arranged a 30% discount for local transfers from the Cairns Airport to the city and Northern Beaches for all our delegates. Pre-book your arrival and departure airport transfers for $A7.00 each way, either:
  • Online
  • by email, sales@sunpalmtransport.com (mention “ICRS 2012” for the discount) or
  • by phone +61 (0)7 4087 2900 (mention “ICRS 2012” for the discount).
The Queensland Government sponsorship is funded by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Department of Education, Training and Employment; Department of Environment and Heritage Protection; Department of Transport and Main Roads
12th International Coral Reef Symposium Coral Reef Studies isrs James Cook University Coral Reef Studies ISRS James Cook University