Financial Support for Students, Early Career Scientists and Participants from Developing Countries

The Organising Committee would like to support students, early career scientists and other potential participants from developing countries to attend the 12th ICWL conference in 2023.  We would like to see as many countries as possible represented at the conference.

The support may be available to participants who are without sufficient financial support to attend the ICWL 2023.  The level of support may cover some of the expenses to help defray the cost of attending the conference such as airfare, registration and accommodation.  Any application will benefit from having secured some of their own financial support.

The level of support we are able to supply (if any) to participants will be dependent on the sponsorship we can attract.

There is currently some financial support from different sources that apply to different categories of participants:

• The Jock Clough Marine Foundation (JCMF) (thejockcloughmarinefoundation.com) is generously providing support for students, early career scientists and other worthy participants in the Austral-Asia and Oceania region, particularly from developing counties in the region;
• Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in Western Australia is also providing some funds for scientists from all developing countries that require financial support; and;
• The Paul Kanciruk Student travel award provides an opportunity for all students apply for support to attend the ICWL2023.

WAMSI OFFERING TWO STUDENT REGISTRATIONS FOR LOBSTER BIOLOGY CONFERENCE

The Western Australian Marine Science Institution is offering two WA-based Honours, Masters or PhD students the chance to improve their understanding of rock lobster and crab biology at the International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management (ICWL) in Fremantle this October.

The theme of the 12th ICWL is ‘Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM)’ – an approach that recognises all interactions within an ecosystem rather than considering a single species or issue in isolation.

WAMSI is a Bronze Sponsor of the conference and has secured two student registrations to offer people undertaking study at any of our partner universities (Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia) or working at our partner organisations while doing further studies. They must be WA based but can be enrolled at other universities.

WAMSI Research Director Dr Jenny Shaw said it was an opportunity for students to find out more about marine research and fisheries and explore career opportunities.

“The ICWL began in Perth more than 40 years ago. At the time, 37 biologists from six countries met to discuss and compare their work on a range of lobster topics,” Dr Shaw said. “Since then, it has grown in popularity and prestige. “

“Given the WA rock lobster fishery is the largest single species fishery in Australia with a value of more than $450m annually and was the first in the world to achieve Marine Stewardship Council accreditation, this is a fabulous opportunity for students to learn more about the industry as well as science around the species. It’s also a terrific opportunity to network at a prestigious, international conference.”

Students who are interested in applying for WAMSI’s student registration offer are asked to:

Write a letter (maximum of one page) outlining their area of study, explaining how they would benefit from attending the conference and stating where they are enrolled.

Applications should be addressed to Dr Jenny Shaw and be emailed to info@wamsi.org.au by 5.00pm on Monday 4 September 2023. A decision will be made on Monday 18 September.

Details about the conference can be found here.

Photo courtesy: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

The Paul Kanciruk Student Travel Award

The Paul Kanciruk Student Travel Award is available to graduate students who are without sfiuufficient financial support to attend the International Conference and Workshop on Lobsters (ICWL). Recipients of the award will receive free registration to the ICWL, free lodging, and airfare.

The award honors the late Paul Kanciruk (1947-2006), who received his Ph.D. in 1976 under the supervision of Professor William Herrnkind at Florida State University (USA), and whose estate established this award.  Dr. Kanciruk spent most of his professional career as a respected scientist in the area of climate change and large database management, but his doctoral research contributed substantially to our understanding of lobster behavior.  Paul was unable to present his dissertation research at the first ICWL held in 1977 in Perth, Western Australia because of lack of funding.  Thus, it is fitting that this award be used to assist students in attending the ICWL in his memory – especially given that the 12th ICWL will again be held in Western Australia.

To apply:
Students wishing to apply must give either an oral or poster presentation at the ICWL. They must be students at the time of application, but may have graduated by the time the conference convenes. The selection criteria for the award are:

1. strength of the science to be presented at the conference, as judged by the scientific abstract submitted by the student, and
2. demonstrated need for travel funds, as determined from the student’s personal statement and a recommendation statement from the student’s major advisor confirming the student status of the applicant and describing how the student is deserving of the award.

Students who wish to apply for the award to attend the 12th ICWL in Fremantle, Western Australia should complete the application form below by 31 May 2023 (see application form above). The completed application form must be emailed to the Chair of the award committee (Dr. Mark Butler; Email: mbutleri@fiu.edu).

The Award Committee:
Dr. Mark Butler (Chair), Florida International University (USA)
Dr. Alison MacDiarmid, National Institute for Water & Atmospheric Research (New Zealand)

Contributions:  Members of the international community with interests in lobster fisheries, management, and science who would like to contribute to the Kanciruk fund to ensure its existence for future conferences should contact Mark Butler (mbutleri@fiu.edu).

Want to Contribute?  Members of the international community with interests in lobster fisheries, management, and science who would like to provide sponsorship to support students, early career scientists and participation of people from developing countries can contribute using the sponsorship packages available here.