Calling all UK reefers! The Coral Aquarist Research Network (CARN), the University of Essex and MarineMad Limited are holding a big reefkeepers event on the 26th May at The Zoological Society of London. With doors opening at 1000am the event runs from 1045am to approximately 3pm and is free to attend with lunch, coffee and refreshments provided.
The purpose of the event is to launch ‘The Big UK Experiment’ which will involve reefkeepers becoming part of the research team at the University of Essex by allowing data acquired from their own reef tanks to be used in the research projects run here at the university. Participants will be kept involved with the outcomes of the research and be named on any academic papers written based on these experiments and develop some key skills in research development, methodologies, reporting, and organisational and communication skills etc. As a bit of background, the Coral Aquarist Research Network (CARN) was launched in October 2009. The network was set-up to promote greater links, collaborations, communication and engagement between coral reef researchers and industry, with the primary focus being to involve the reefkeeping community in the research being undertaken within the UK. This workshop is being run with this in mind, to encourage reefkeepers to engage with and become involved in the first experiment of this kind.
This experiment is going live on the 26th May with academics, industry, Government, and of course a multitude of reefkeepers being present in the 150-capacity venue at the Zoological Society of London. The day will include presentations from some of the top academics in coral reef studies, conservation managers at ZSL and representatives from one of the largest Government Funded aquariums in the UK. The official launch of ‘The Big UK Experiment’ will then take place followed by refreshments, a tour of the zoo (by donation) and the close of the workshop.
If you can make it along to this event, we seriously recommend you attend as this looks like a great way to get to participate in a really positive initiative that has numerous potential benefits (please contact Philippa Mansell at: pippa@carnuk.org if you wish to attend).


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