The Marinelife Aquarium Society of Michigan is pleased to announce The MASM Breeder's Workshop! Please join us for an exciting afternoon with two of the brightest stars in the marine breeding realm: Matthew Wittenrich and Matt Pedersen.

Matthew Wittenrich is a marine biologist who has been deeply involved with the aquarium world since the age of 15. He is currently pursuing his doctorate at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne Florida, with research projects centered in the Philippines. Matthew has successfully raised over 56 species of marine fish and shrimp. His research focuses on the development of feeding abilities in early stage larvae of coral reef fishes.

Matt Pedersen currently resides in Duluth, MN, and has been a marine aquarist for 23 years and an aquarist for 28 years. Matt's current area of interest is marine fish breeding. He has currently spawned 17 species of marine fish, successfully raising five of them, including one worldwide first (the Harlequin filefish, Oxymonacanthus longirostris). Matt Pedersen is credited with starting MOFIB and writes for multiple publications. Matt was awarded "Aquarist of the Year" honors by both IMAC West and MASNA in 2009 in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to the marine aquarium hobby.

In an effort to support and encourage captive breeding, MASM has designed a workshop that will both inspire and assist anyone that is interested in captive breeding.

This workshop is part of the larger MASM Breeding Initiative: http://www.masm.org/mForums/tt.aspx?forumid=88

The workshop will begin with presentations relating to the captive breeding of marine organisms by both speakers. After a short break, attendees will have plenty of "one on one" time to ask questions and discuss their own, personal, breeding efforts.

The workshop will be held at the Cranbrook Institute of Science on Saturday, March 13, 2010, starting at 1pm.
Admission is free to MASM members. Non-members can purchase tickets in advance for $5, or at the door for $10

For more information please visit The MASM Breeder's Workshop.