For Immediate Release: February 28, 2000

Contact: NOAA/Madelyn Appelbaum
202/482- 4858
madelyn.appelbaum@noaa.gov
DOI/Stephanie Hanna
202/208-6416
Stephanie_Hanna@ios.doi.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY

U.S. CORAL REEF TASK FORCE LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING PLAN
Will Tackle Major Risks to Economy, Consumers, Environment

WHAT: News conference launching first-ever comprehensive plan to help save the world's coral reefs, an alarming 70 percent of which may perish by 2050.

Topics will include:

The current staggering loss of coral reefs - and how human activity driving it.

Multi-billion dollar impact of U.S. coral reefs.

Coral reefs as the medicine chests of the 21st century.

Groundbreaking actions addressed by the new U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, including recommending 20% of U.S. Coral Reefs as non-consumptive ecological reserves

WHEN: Thursday, March 2; 12:00 - 1:00 PM

WHERE: Dept. of Commerce, 14th and Constitution, NW Room 5430, Secretary's Conference Room

WHO:

D. James Baker, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Donald J. Barry, Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and ParksU.S. Department of the Interior

Roger T. Rufe, Jr., President, The Center for Marine Conservation

SATELLITE COORDINATES:

Thursday, March 2 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
SBS 6; Transponder 4; KU
Downlink Frequency 11798 MHz (V)
Audio 6.2 & 6.8

-DOI-