U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service -- Press Releases

U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to Meet September 14-15 in Miami, FL

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2004

Contacts:
Tom MacKenzie, (404) 679-7291, cell: (678) 296-6400
Ben Sherman, NOAA, (301) 713-3066 ext. 178

The United States Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior announce a public meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) September 14-15, in Miami, FL. Through the coordinated efforts of its members, including representatives of 12 federal agencies, the governors of seven states and territories, and the leaders of the Freely Associated States, the Task Force has helped lead U.S. efforts to protect and manage valuable coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. and internationally.

This two-day public meeting will feature a joint meeting with the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force and a keynote speech by Andrew Skeat, the Executive Director of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

On Monday, Sept. 13 three pre-meeting symposiums will be held on “Improving the Science and Management of Florida’s Coral Reef Ecosystems,” “Damage Assessment and Restoration Protocols for Coral Reef Habitats” and “Sustainable Diving and Snorkeling Practices.” All symposiums and the two-day meeting are free and open to the public.

WHAT:

The 12th biannual meeting of the United States Coral Reef Task Force.

WHEN:

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2004 – Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel, 4525 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 305-531-0000
NOTE: Registration available at the hotel.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2004 U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Business Meeting

8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Agenda available on the web at: http://www.coralreef.gov

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Joint Session, U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Public Comment Session
Anyone intending to provide public comment is required to sign-up in advance at the reception desk, or e-mail DaJuana_Blackmon@ios.doi.gov (202) 208-3828. Each speaker will be provided five minutes.

Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004 U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Business Meeting

8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Agenda available on the web at: http://www.coralreef.gov.

8:40 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Remarks by Andrew Skeat, Executive Director of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority Executive Director.

12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m. Nancy Foster Great Barrier Reef Naming Ceremony and Lunch (media & by invitation)

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Panel presentation: “Building Resilient Coral Reef Ecosystems in South Florida: Challenges and Opportunities.”

For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit our home page at http://southeast.fws.gov/ or http://www.fws.gov/.

NOTE: You can view our releases or subscribe to receive them -- via e-mail -- at the Service's Southeast Regional home page at http://southeast.fws.gov. Our national home page is at: http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/.

Atlanta, GA 30345
Phone: 404/679-7289 Fax: 404/679-7286

2004 News Releases