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HCCC/CARES is host of FOTAS 2011 this year. HUGE auction, fish show and the speaker lineup is the best you will ever see. Please read below for more information.
If you need help setting up reservations for the hotel or If you have any questions about anything please contact me at FOTAS2011info@yahoo.com.
FOTAS CARES, the largest conservation themed convention ever organized for the
aquarium hobby in North America will take place November 4th - 6th 2011 at the Airport
Doubletree Hotel in beautiful San Antonio, Texas.
What is FOTAS?
The Federation of Texas Aquarium Societies (FOTAS) is a collection of aquatic
organizations based throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Annual conventions rotate among
the member organizations and have been held annually since 1953. In 2011, the Hill
Country Cichlid Club, based in south central Texas, will host FOTAS for a second time.
What is CARES?
An acronym for Conservation, Awareness, Recognition and Responsibility, Education
and Encouragement, Support and Sharing, CARES is a hobbyist based organization. It
was initially formed to promote the creation of a solid base stock of conservation priority
species within the collective tanks of hobbyists. Since formulation of this concept,
CARES has spread into the U.S. school system as well as worldwide projects such as
the rebuilding of the Kenyan Marine and Fisheries Institute in Kisumu, Kenya. With
hundreds of colonies registered and many success stories, CARES gives threatened fish
a fighting chance for survival. On the 7th anniversary of this organization, we celebrate
with a gathering of like-minded scientists, conservationists, and hobbyists.
The Hill Country Cichlid Club, together with the Federation of Texas Aquarium
Societies, the Oklahoma Aquarium Association, and USA Fishbox are supporters and
participants in CARES. FOTAS CARES!
We have assembled a stellar lineup of speakers including:
Les Kaufman
Well known for his knowledge on the haplochromine species of the Lake Victoria
region, Les Kaufman is responsible for the introduction of many haplochromines into
the aquatic hobby. On the forefront of identifying the deep problems that plague Lake
Victoria, Les was the scientist responsible for erecting the Lake Victoria Species Survival
Plan (LV-SSP). Many of the colonies of fish collected for the LV-SSP have since been
extinguished from the great African lake and survive only in captivity today thanks to his
foresight. Les is presently involved with studies on coral reefs of the world and played a
pivotal part in bringing the CARES effort to Kenya.
Ad Konings
A prolific author on the cichlids of Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika, as well as cactus, Ad
Konings is a perennial favorite among hobbyists throughout the world. Ad’s perspective
on the fish of Africa’s Great Rift has been keeping aquarists on the edge of their seats for
decades. Ad is presented at FOTAS CARES courtesy of USA FishBox.
Anton Lamboj
A prominent scientist best known for his work with West Africa cichlids, Anton Lamboj
is an excellent presenter, frequent visitor, and friend to many. Anton lectures at the
University of Vienna in Austria and has written countless books and papers and has
described many West African cichlids.
Paul V. Loiselle
Author of many publications dealing mainly with cichlid fishes, Paul Loiselle is well
known for his ongoing conservation efforts around the globe, and in particular, dealing
with the environmental changes occurring in Madagascar. A champion of bridging
the gap between the hobbyist and the scientist, Paul is considered among the most
knowledgeable minds with regards to changing environmental conditions and the
consequences to aquatic life on Earth.
Melanie Stiassny
Considered to be the ichthyologists' ichthyologist, Melanie Stiassny is sought after to
present at conferences and conventions around the planet. Her current work on the
Congo River is examined on a National Geographic special. We are extremely proud
to present Melanie at FOTAS CARES. This is a rare opportunity to meet the most
preeminent ichthyologist on the planet today.
Kathy England
Kathy England is well known in the fish world as a longtime aquarist and water gardener.
She maintains a large fish house together with her husband, Marvin, containing many
varieties and species from around the globe. Kathy comes to us from the Texas Cichlid
Association.
Charles Jones
A well known hobbyist who has worked at many levels within the hobby, Charles Jones
has presided over his home club, Houston Aquarium Society, and is current President
of the Federation of Texas Aquarium Societies. Charles will share his knowledge of the
history of aquatics in Texas.
FOTAS CARES Show
As with other aquatic events, FOTAS CARES will have a show that is free for all to
participate in. However, this is not your typical show! Breaking from the traditional
method of showing fish rows of bare tanks, this show will consist of participants creating
displays for their fish. Each entrant may contain only one species but one may enter
as many displays as they wish. These displays may or may not consist of live fish.
Examples include tri-fold displays, aquariums displaying live individuals, posters, video
displays or anything else the entrant can come up with. The species being depicted must
be reserved in advance. Substantial prize lots including cash, auction credit, goods, and
awards will be presented to the three winners. Criteria being judged include presentation,
educational value, and aesthetics, with bonus points being awarded for depiction of a
CARES species.
Vendor Information
For information on vendor space please contact David Fair midmitt@att.net.
Rare Fish Availability
The largest gathering of CARES species will be available for sale in the main CARES
room. For those wishing to sell fish, rental tanks will be available and must be purchased
in advance. For more information and to reserve the aquariums you require, contact Dan
Schacht at dwschacht@gmail.com.
Babes in the Cichlid Hobby
The ‘Babes’ will be in attendance continuing their incredible tradition of funding efforts
in areas of cichlid conservation.
Registration
Registration packets contain unlimited entrance to all FOTAS CARES events including
a pizza party with Melanie Stiassny on Friday evening, all speakers and special
happenings, a TexMex Awards Banquet Saturday night, and entrance to the giant auction
all day Sunday.
For up to date information on FOTAS CARES, stop by and visit the forum at
www.hillcountrycichlidclub.com.
If you need help setting up reservations for the hotel or If you have any questions about anything please contact me at FOTAS2011info@yahoo.com.
FOTAS CARES, the largest conservation themed convention ever organized for the
aquarium hobby in North America will take place November 4th - 6th 2011 at the Airport
Doubletree Hotel in beautiful San Antonio, Texas.
What is FOTAS?
The Federation of Texas Aquarium Societies (FOTAS) is a collection of aquatic
organizations based throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Annual conventions rotate among
the member organizations and have been held annually since 1953. In 2011, the Hill
Country Cichlid Club, based in south central Texas, will host FOTAS for a second time.
What is CARES?
An acronym for Conservation, Awareness, Recognition and Responsibility, Education
and Encouragement, Support and Sharing, CARES is a hobbyist based organization. It
was initially formed to promote the creation of a solid base stock of conservation priority
species within the collective tanks of hobbyists. Since formulation of this concept,
CARES has spread into the U.S. school system as well as worldwide projects such as
the rebuilding of the Kenyan Marine and Fisheries Institute in Kisumu, Kenya. With
hundreds of colonies registered and many success stories, CARES gives threatened fish
a fighting chance for survival. On the 7th anniversary of this organization, we celebrate
with a gathering of like-minded scientists, conservationists, and hobbyists.
The Hill Country Cichlid Club, together with the Federation of Texas Aquarium
Societies, the Oklahoma Aquarium Association, and USA Fishbox are supporters and
participants in CARES. FOTAS CARES!
We have assembled a stellar lineup of speakers including:
Les Kaufman
Well known for his knowledge on the haplochromine species of the Lake Victoria
region, Les Kaufman is responsible for the introduction of many haplochromines into
the aquatic hobby. On the forefront of identifying the deep problems that plague Lake
Victoria, Les was the scientist responsible for erecting the Lake Victoria Species Survival
Plan (LV-SSP). Many of the colonies of fish collected for the LV-SSP have since been
extinguished from the great African lake and survive only in captivity today thanks to his
foresight. Les is presently involved with studies on coral reefs of the world and played a
pivotal part in bringing the CARES effort to Kenya.
Ad Konings
A prolific author on the cichlids of Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika, as well as cactus, Ad
Konings is a perennial favorite among hobbyists throughout the world. Ad’s perspective
on the fish of Africa’s Great Rift has been keeping aquarists on the edge of their seats for
decades. Ad is presented at FOTAS CARES courtesy of USA FishBox.
Anton Lamboj
A prominent scientist best known for his work with West Africa cichlids, Anton Lamboj
is an excellent presenter, frequent visitor, and friend to many. Anton lectures at the
University of Vienna in Austria and has written countless books and papers and has
described many West African cichlids.
Paul V. Loiselle
Author of many publications dealing mainly with cichlid fishes, Paul Loiselle is well
known for his ongoing conservation efforts around the globe, and in particular, dealing
with the environmental changes occurring in Madagascar. A champion of bridging
the gap between the hobbyist and the scientist, Paul is considered among the most
knowledgeable minds with regards to changing environmental conditions and the
consequences to aquatic life on Earth.
Melanie Stiassny
Considered to be the ichthyologists' ichthyologist, Melanie Stiassny is sought after to
present at conferences and conventions around the planet. Her current work on the
Congo River is examined on a National Geographic special. We are extremely proud
to present Melanie at FOTAS CARES. This is a rare opportunity to meet the most
preeminent ichthyologist on the planet today.
Kathy England
Kathy England is well known in the fish world as a longtime aquarist and water gardener.
She maintains a large fish house together with her husband, Marvin, containing many
varieties and species from around the globe. Kathy comes to us from the Texas Cichlid
Association.
Charles Jones
A well known hobbyist who has worked at many levels within the hobby, Charles Jones
has presided over his home club, Houston Aquarium Society, and is current President
of the Federation of Texas Aquarium Societies. Charles will share his knowledge of the
history of aquatics in Texas.
FOTAS CARES Show
As with other aquatic events, FOTAS CARES will have a show that is free for all to
participate in. However, this is not your typical show! Breaking from the traditional
method of showing fish rows of bare tanks, this show will consist of participants creating
displays for their fish. Each entrant may contain only one species but one may enter
as many displays as they wish. These displays may or may not consist of live fish.
Examples include tri-fold displays, aquariums displaying live individuals, posters, video
displays or anything else the entrant can come up with. The species being depicted must
be reserved in advance. Substantial prize lots including cash, auction credit, goods, and
awards will be presented to the three winners. Criteria being judged include presentation,
educational value, and aesthetics, with bonus points being awarded for depiction of a
CARES species.
Vendor Information
For information on vendor space please contact David Fair midmitt@att.net.
Rare Fish Availability
The largest gathering of CARES species will be available for sale in the main CARES
room. For those wishing to sell fish, rental tanks will be available and must be purchased
in advance. For more information and to reserve the aquariums you require, contact Dan
Schacht at dwschacht@gmail.com.
Babes in the Cichlid Hobby
The ‘Babes’ will be in attendance continuing their incredible tradition of funding efforts
in areas of cichlid conservation.
Registration
Registration packets contain unlimited entrance to all FOTAS CARES events including
a pizza party with Melanie Stiassny on Friday evening, all speakers and special
happenings, a TexMex Awards Banquet Saturday night, and entrance to the giant auction
all day Sunday.
For up to date information on FOTAS CARES, stop by and visit the forum at
www.hillcountrycichlidclub.com.
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