SOCIETIES
German Elasmobranch (In German), http://www.elasmo.de/

Lee Creek Home Page. A site dedicated to providing information about the famous fossil spot in Aurora, N.C. Also includes the best shark tooth identification guide on the web as well as numerous articles on the evolution of sharks with several different viewpoints. This is the best fossil shark tooth informational site on the web and a must-see. Web site is http://www.elasmo.com

Mote Marine Laboratory,1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota FL 34236 , Phone 941-388-4441, Web site: www.mote.org. Mote Marine Laboratory (MML) is an independent, nonprofit research organization dedicated to excellence in marine and environmental sciences. Since its inception in 1955, the Laboratory's mission has been the pursuit of excellence in scientific research and the dissemination of information to the scientific community as well as to the general public. Although internationally recognized through the scientific staff's research and publications, much of the Laboratory's efforts are directed toward the Southwest Florida coastal region. Through this research, the laboratory provides a center for the exchange of scientific information, hosting visiting investigators, student interns, seminars and conferences. Public outreach is accomplished through the Mote Aquarium, an educational museum providing marine programs for all levels, from elementary-school children through adults.

The Paleontological Association. Promotes the study of paleontology through publication of academic journals, newsletters, a series of field guides, regular meetings and field excursions, and a program of annual awards. Based in the UK, but its members are drawn from all over the world. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/Paleonet/PalAss/index.html

The Paleontological Society. An international organization devoted exclusively to the advancement of the science of paleontology through the dissemination of research by publication and meetings. Carl W. Stock, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Box 870338, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0338, cstock@wgs.geo.ua.edu

Shark Population Assessment Group. National Marine Fisheries Service, SEFSC, Panama City Laboratory, 3500 Delwood Beach Road, Panama City, Florida 32408, Tel. no.: (850) 234-6541. The Shark Population Assessment Group is responsible for the assessment of shark populations in US waters from the northwest Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Its main activities include demographic modeling and stock assessment through a variety of modeling approaches. Fisheries and biological work is also conducted in support of these activities. Fishery work includes an ongoing fishery independent index of abundance and development of recruitment indices for sharks in coastal waters of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Biological studies focus on age and growth, but also include other aspects of the life history of sharks such as feeding, reproduction, distribution and movement patterns, and delineation of nursery areas. Quantative experiments include gillnet and longline selectivity studies.

Shark Trust, Web site: http://ds.dial.pipex.com/sharktrust/. Established in 1997, the Shark Trust promotes the study, management and conservation of sharks, skates and rays. The Shark Trust is the UK member of the European Elasmobranch Association. As such, it collaborates with other national member bodies to achieve their aims in British, European and international waters. The Trust aims to join forces with other groups concerned with shark, skate and ray conservation issues. These include commercial fisherman, recreational sea anglers, divers, yachtsmen, and all those who want to ensure the future survival of these fascinating but threatened animals.

World Wildlife Fund, Web Site: www.worldwildlife.org. Known worldwide by its panda logo, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is dedicated to protecting the world's wildlife and wildlands. The largest privately supported international conservation organization in the world, WWF has more than 1 million members in the U.S. alone. Since its inception in 1961, WWF has invested in over 13,100 projects in 157 countries. WWF directs its conservation efforts toward three global goals: protecting endangered spaces, saving endangered species and addressing global threats. From working to save the giant panda, tiger, and rhino to helping establish and manage parks and reserves worldwide, WWF has been a conservation leader for 40 years.