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WMC 2001 - How Did it Go? By Florence Cortez This year's Western Marine Conference took place in scenic Monterey, California from April 6 through 8. It was sponsored by The Saltwater Enthusiasts of the Bay Area (SEABay). For the first time in nine years, the format focused on individualized interaction and socializing amongst attendees, speakers, coordinators, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. To this end, the emphasis shifted towards more workshops than discussion sessions. Analogous to small school classroom sizes, shared quality time flows in our smaller groups. In spite of light attendance, vendors were surprised that sales was not much less than that of a prior WMC where attendance was five times more. Excellent output such as this may induce greater participation in future WMCs by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of aquatic wares. The board of directors of SEABay particularly selected Monterey Bay as the setting of this conference and chose the grand Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA)as the reception hall so that family and friends of attendees can meaningfully share our big event. We are glad to see that they, too, had the opportunity to meet their love one's aquatic counterparts. We are glad to see children (and adults) dig into tunnels that David Cripe creatively designed at the Splash Zone to heighten visitor's anticipation and interest in the displays. Our precious guests came from as far as England, Japan and all over the USA. David Cripe, talked about the challenges the greatest aquarium on earth, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, has to meet. He touched on aspects of water quality, exhibit techniques, husbandry issues, collections issues, and how to keep visitors coming back for more. He mentioned MBA's financial self-sufficiency technique … help from volunteer workers, among others. Behind the scene of the WMC David did more than can be expected of anyone. He was responsible to intercede with the management of MBA (1) to provide us with expensive equipments such as the microscope, etc. used in the workshops, and (2) to allow our guests to tour the Splash Zone at no cost to anyone. David, hats off to you. Lab activities, such as the one in Greg Bingman's water testing workshop, so captivated the participants that not a moment can be spared by each, other than concentrate on performing the testing procedures and calculating the values per instructions found in the hand out. Thanks to Greg for an excellently prepared workshop. There were more than enough testing paraphernalia and chemical solutions for everyone. Testing equipment was impressive enough to make the hobbyists be aware that for a more accurate analysis of the quality of one's tank water, there are avenues other than test kits commonly accessed. Eric Borneman's food processing was just as interesting …. something that hobbyists can take home and immediately put to use in their own aquaria. Ron Shimek's magnification of creatures in attendees' sand bed proves that extra diverse benthos growth in a 20-gallon hobbyist tank is possible. It gave the sample owner much comfort and satisfaction, to the observers much needed inspiration for, majority of the samples tested did not produce the same abundant varieties. The importance of benthic animals and the roles they play in the filtration cycle, as well as, food chain was very well explained. Rob Toonen showed hobbyists how to culture planktons and raise larvae on a shoestring. He emphasized benefits of joining groups such as the Breeders' Registry, etc. to learn from the experience of others and enhance our own. Eric Borneman covered food processing. Dr. Beverly Dixon talked about fish diseases, Richard Harker about "big" tank design, Dana Riddle about lighting, David Behrens about the colorful sea slugs, Morgan Lidster and Carmen Carouche about fish and coral propagation, Scott W. Michael about underwater photography, and Bob Fenner about aquarium photography. Bob's humor brought us down to the very basics of aquarium keeping-which is enjoyment and fun. I sat in the same table with Carmen Carouche and Randy Reed at the reception. Randy had spoken about phytoplankton culture in one of the SEABay meetings. Unfortunately, I missed it. This reception gave me an opportunity to learn a little bit about the topic. Here is an insert from an attendees email: "Thank …… everyone at SEABay for hosting and setting up such a wonderful conference. This was my first conference and I just flat out loved it! I learned so much from all the folks in each discussion group I attended. The vendor's area was a lot of fun … I picked up a couple corals among other things. and the reception at the MBA and the banquet the next evening were, oh my gosh, top notch! Thanks again for a fantastic weekend!" Via this WMC 2001 SEABay was able to continuously accomplish the goal of dissipating aquaculture info and conservation practice by (1) engaging the speakers, leaders, coordinators to share their knowledge and expertise on aquatic life, (2) engaging the manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers to display and explain how their products can help aquarists provide the optimum environment for their wet pets, (3) providing free booth for other nonprofit organizations to raise membership funds, and donations for the cause of aquatic propagation and conservation, and (4) sending out flyers and advertisements to as many hobbyists as we can reach to let this info availability be known to them. Some of you, the readers, may be interested to know the financial section of this activity. We are proud to announce that we meet our status as a nonprofit organization. We gave back to our attendees what we took in, that is within a fine line. I can't conclude this short "prose" without mentioning the attention, the thoughts, the time and the efforts the members of the board of SEABay have pumped into this successful project. Rex was the director of finance and programs. The workshop sessions needed so much details and readjustments to the choices as they randomly turned their selections. This comes with the territory of freedom of day of registration. Bill numbed himself to the pain of broken fingers, etc. so that he can build and revise the website as needed. Alice ignored her physical health obstacles. She directed the reception and banquet activities. It was a well-organized and well-praised achievement. The attendees told me so. John received so many compliments from the vendors for a very satisfying and smooth exhibition of their products. Even though Scott's heart and soul was in the imminent arrival of his second son, his job of directing the speaker engagement department did not diminish one bit…. congratulations, Scott, for the arrival of your son a few days after the conference. Mark was so very, very, important because without him we couldn't be able to see any slide or hear anything on the podium or in the workshops. He was the director of av. Al and Grace took care of the raffle part. David Newman was the man in support of Grace. Rod coordinated the activities of the conference. Terry took care of all the money part. She was also in charge of making hotel engagements. Nely, Terry's friend volunteered her precious hours for the cause of the club. I must mention Don, for other than assigned task, he is also the catch all for filling in on vacant posts. Thank you all. Most important of all I would like to thank all our guests for coming to the conference, particularly to the hobbyists as …… they are the reasons why the WMC was established and why this gathering was held.
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