SIAL 9 will be held in Kigoma, Tanzania, on the eastern shore of spectacular Lake Tanganyika. Following on the tradition of the many prior successful Species in Ancient Lakes meetings, SIAL 9 will be an opportunity for researchers to come together to discuss recent findings on the evolution, ecology, paleobiology, conservation and history of ancient lakes from around the world. The meeting will serve as an opportunity to look at recent discoveries resulting from the efforts of many research teams worldwide exploring these fascinating systems. We welcome presentations on any ancient lake, including those that are well known and where past SIAL meetings have been held (i.e., photo gallery above), as well as lesser-known lakes, which nevertheless have important stories to tell. We are particularly interested in encouraging talk and poster presentations that cross interdisciplinary boundaries and those with important lessons for the conservation of these critical aquatic ecosystems and hotspots of freshwater biodiversity.
Lake Tanganyika, the venue for SIAL 9, probably needs little introduction. It is the oldest and one of the most biodiverse lakes in the world. With a geological and ecological history spanning about 10 million years, Tanganyika has amassed an enormous range of endemic animals and algae. During the meeting we will have an opportunity to explore this biodiversity up-close, with the meeting venue on the shore of the lake and through opportunities to snorkel and observe many iconic fish and invertebrate species during the mid-meeting excursion.
Meeting Venue
SIAL 9 will be held at the Lake Tanganyika Hotel, in Kigoma, Tanzania. Kigoma is a medium-sized (~200,000 inhabitants) town on the eastern coast of Lake Tanganyika. Kigoma is an important commercial and passenger port for Lake Tanganyika, and is the terminus of the Tanzania Railways Central Line from Dar es Salaam. The Lake Tanganyika Hotel is on the shore of the lake, within walking distance of Kigoma town center and Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI). There are many interesting things to see and do in and around Kigoma, including snorkeling or SCUBA diving in the lake, visiting the Kigoma market and nearby historic town of Ujiji (the original early 19th C caravan terminus for the slave and ivory trade from central Africa, and to home to the David Livingstone Museum), and visiting Gombe Stream National Park (~2 hrs. by boat), with its famous chimpanzee population.
During our meeting time in July, Kigoma is in the middle of its windy and dry season, with daytime high temperatures around 31°C (87°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F). Rainfall can occur but is rare this time of year. Moderate to strong winds occur almost daily at this time of the year, particularly in the afternoons. Lake Tanganyika surface water temperatures in July are ~25-26°C. Over the past 15 years Lake Tanganyika’s surface elevation has been steadily rising and is currently quite high, which has caused the inundation of many of the beaches near Kigoma town.
COVID Information: At the present time SIAL 9 participants should plan to be vaccinated for COVID and should plan to test for COVID prior to attending the meeting. We will update requirements as conditions develop closer to the meeting dates. COVID requirements for entry. Rapid COVID testing is available for outbound passengers at the Dar es Salaam International Airport.
Important Meeting Dates
Lake Tanganyika, the venue for SIAL 9, probably needs little introduction. It is the oldest and one of the most biodiverse lakes in the world. With a geological and ecological history spanning about 10 million years, Tanganyika has amassed an enormous range of endemic animals and algae. During the meeting we will have an opportunity to explore this biodiversity up-close, with the meeting venue on the shore of the lake and through opportunities to snorkel and observe many iconic fish and invertebrate species during the mid-meeting excursion.
Meeting Venue
SIAL 9 will be held at the Lake Tanganyika Hotel, in Kigoma, Tanzania. Kigoma is a medium-sized (~200,000 inhabitants) town on the eastern coast of Lake Tanganyika. Kigoma is an important commercial and passenger port for Lake Tanganyika, and is the terminus of the Tanzania Railways Central Line from Dar es Salaam. The Lake Tanganyika Hotel is on the shore of the lake, within walking distance of Kigoma town center and Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI). There are many interesting things to see and do in and around Kigoma, including snorkeling or SCUBA diving in the lake, visiting the Kigoma market and nearby historic town of Ujiji (the original early 19th C caravan terminus for the slave and ivory trade from central Africa, and to home to the David Livingstone Museum), and visiting Gombe Stream National Park (~2 hrs. by boat), with its famous chimpanzee population.
During our meeting time in July, Kigoma is in the middle of its windy and dry season, with daytime high temperatures around 31°C (87°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F). Rainfall can occur but is rare this time of year. Moderate to strong winds occur almost daily at this time of the year, particularly in the afternoons. Lake Tanganyika surface water temperatures in July are ~25-26°C. Over the past 15 years Lake Tanganyika’s surface elevation has been steadily rising and is currently quite high, which has caused the inundation of many of the beaches near Kigoma town.
COVID Information: At the present time SIAL 9 participants should plan to be vaccinated for COVID and should plan to test for COVID prior to attending the meeting. We will update requirements as conditions develop closer to the meeting dates. COVID requirements for entry. Rapid COVID testing is available for outbound passengers at the Dar es Salaam International Airport.
Important Meeting Dates
Online Registration Deadline: 4 July, 2022 (after that date only in-person registration [cash only] will be possible)
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