2006 International Charr Symposium, Reykjavik, Iceland

Abstract

The most recent in the continuing series of international conferences dedicated to charrs, Salvelinus species, was held in Reykjavik, Iceland 1–5 August 2006.

The most recent in the continuing series of international conferences dedicated to charrs, Salvelinus species, was held in Reykjavik, Iceland 1–5 August 2006. The Symposium was organized and hosted by two committees. The Scientific Committee included: Sigurður S. Snorrason, University of Iceland, Skúli Skúlason, Hólar University College, Bjarni Jónsson, Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Bjarni K. Kristjánsson, Hólar University College, Hilmar J. Malmquist, The Natural History Museum of Kopavogur, Ingi Rúnar Jónsson, Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Þórólfur Antonsson, Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Colin Adams, University of Glasgow, and David L.G. Noakes, Oregon State University. The Organizing Committee consisted of: Sigurður S. Snorrason, University of Iceland, Bjarni Jónsson, Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Bjarni K. Kristjánsson, Hólar University College, Hilmar J. Malmquist, the Natural History Museum of Kópavogur, Ingi Rúnar Jónsson, Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Skúli Skúlason, Hólar University College, and Þórólfur Antonsson, Institute of Freshwater Fisheries. Major sponsors of the Symposium were the University of Iceland, Holar University College, the Natural History Museum of Kópavogur, and Ministries of the Government of Iceland. All sessions were held in Askja, the Natural Sciences Building of the University of Iceland.

The papers in this special issue from the Symposium reflect more than 60 papers presented by delegates from more than 15 countries in both oral papers and poster paper sessions during the Symposium. An important contribution is the tribute to Lionel Johnson, the foremost Canadian charr researcher, a true pioneer in the study of charr biology and the organizer and host of the first International Charr Symposium. His continuing influence is shown not only by this contribution but also by the research of his collaborators and ideas in many of the other papers in this issue. Of course the diversification of charrs, in life history, reproductive behavior and foraging behavior is a continuing theme in several of the papers. The responses of charr populations to exploitation, climate change and invasive species are other important emerging themes. Details of the adaptations of charrs to a range of local conditions, including some remarkable deepwater lakes, point the way to future studies of these remarkable fishes. In all the papers in this issue, there is continuity with studies presented at earlier Charr Symposia, in terms of the geography, the major research laboratories devoted to these species, and the growing body of information that contributes to our understanding of charrs. Perhaps the major collective contribution of the Reykjavik Symposium will be the recognition of the importance of process, in addition to the long-standing focus on pattern. I emphasized that theme in my own keynote presentation, and I have summarized my thoughts as an Editorial in this issue.

The next International Charr Symposium is scheduled for Glasgow, Scotland in 2009. We look forward to that Symposium with enthusiasm for our science, eagerness to meet old friends and new colleagues and dedication to continue our joint efforts to understand our charrs (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

Fig. 1

Group photo of delegates to the 2006 International Charr Symposium during the excursion to Thingvallavatn (photograph courtesy of Bjarni Kristjansson)

Fig. 2

Skuli Skulason (Iceland) and Hiroya Kawanabe (Japan) discuss details of spawning behavior of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, in Thingvallavatn (photograph by David Noakes)

Fig. 3

Hilmar Malmquist (Iceland) dissects Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, from Thingvallavatn to demonstrate the parasites found in the different morphs (photograph by David Noakes)

Fig. 4

Participants in the excursion to Thingvallavatn during the guided tour of the museum and outdoor displays at Thingvellir (photograph by David Noakes)

Fig. 5

Japanese, Icelandic and Russian colleagues compare observations and interpretations of spawning behavior of charrs, from left to right; Masayuki Kuwahara, Koji Maekawa, Skuli Skulason and Sergei Alexeev (photograph by David Noakes)

Fig. 6

Sergei Alexeev (Russia) and Kalina H. Kapralova (Bulgaria), during the excursion to Thingvallavatn (photograph by David Noakes)

Fig. 7

Famous morphs of arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, and brown trout, Salmo trutta, from Thingvallavatn with feet from famous charr biologists (photograph by David Noakes)

Fig. 8

Bjarni Kristjansson and Hrefna Sigurjonsdottir plan for the next stop in the Thingvallavatn excursion (photograph by David Noakes)

Fig. 9

Ksenia Savvaitova (Russia) stands out among the charr enthusiasts at Thingvallavatn (photograph by David Noakes)

Fig. 10

Some delegates to the 2006 Charr Symposium; a Camille Leblanc, France; b John Gunn, Canada; c Per-Arne Amundsen, Norway; d Jim Reist, Canada; e Kentaro Morita, Japan; f Randy Eshenroder, USA; g Siggi Snorrason, Iceland (photographs by David Noakes)