Report of the Opening of the Symposium 

 11:00-12:00 12 Oct. 87 



The Western Atlantic Sea Turtle Symposium II (WATS II - STAO 

 II) was formally opened by the convenor, Dr. Manuel L. Hernandez, 

 Director, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto 

 Rico-Mayaguez Campus. 



The convenor expressed his pleasure in welcoming the 

 participants to Mayaguez and- extended his wishes for a most 

 successful and productive meeting. He then introduced the 

 individuals primarily responsible for WATS II - STAO II: Mr. 

 Harvey Bullis, Mr. Frederick Berry, Dr. Karen Bjorndal, Dr. J.L. 

 Martinez Pico, Dr. Manuel Murillo, Capt. Rafael Steer Ruiz, Mr. 

 Henri Reichart, and Dr. Robert Lankford. 



Dr. Hernandez extended the regrets of both Professor 

 Fernando Agrait, President of the University of Puerto Rico, who 

 was unavoidably detained in Spain and the Honorable Benjamin 

 Cole, Mayor of Mayaguez who was unable to participate in the 

 opening ceremonies due to other committments. 



Dr. J.L. Martinez Pico, Chancellor of the University of 

 Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus warmly welcomed the national 

 representatives, experts, and interested participants. He 

 briefly described the university and its many campuses and 

 departments and noted the 30 year history of marine science 

 research and education at the Mayaguez Campus. He wished the 

 attendees every success in their work at WATS II. 



The symposium chairperson. Dr. Karen Bjorndal, introduced 

 Capt. Rafael Steer Ruiz. Capt. Steer, as president of the co- 

 sponsoring agency, lOCARIBE, thanked the executive committee for 

 their efforts and gave a brief explanation of what lOCARIBE is, 

 how it functions, as well as a chronological overview of WATS I 

 and II. 



Next to be introduced was Dr. Manuel Murillo, President of 

 WATS II. Dr. Murillo thanked the previous speakers, organizers, 

 national representatives, scientists, managers and interested 

 participants for their interest and efforts in bringing WATS II 

 to fruition. He further elaborated on the origins of WATS I and 

 stated that few programs within IOC have had the solidarity of 

 goals and outcome as WATS. He voiced the hope that at the 

 conclusion of WATS II there can be a continuation of this great 

 effort so that scientists and managers can work together to 

 manage properly the marine resources. He identified 

 two people that acted as "Fathers" of the WATS effort: Harvey 

 Bullis and Frederick Berry. 



