FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			March 11, 1997


Contact:	John Robinson  (831) 647-4237 or 4201

Symposium to Explore the Incredible Variety of Life 
Within the Monterey Bay Sanctuary


Some of the most life-filled and richest waters of the world are 
found within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Almost monthly  scientists  discover  previously unknown species of 
life  living deep within the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon and 
Sanctuary waters.  With the help of new technology and futuristic 
underwater vehicles, scientists are  gaining a new appreciation and 
understanding of the intricacies of our ocean  and the staggering 
amount  of life it contains.
On Saturday, March 15,  leading marine scientists will gather for the 
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuarys annual symposium, this 
year entitled Facets of Biodiversity.  The symposium,  which is 
open to the public and free of charge, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 
p.m. at the Cocoanut Grove, at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz.
This is a wonderful chance for teachers,  students and anyone with 
an interest in the ocean to learn about the  latest research and 
discoveries within the Sanctuary, said Terry Jackson,  Sanctuary 
Manager.  The deep ocean environment is one of the last 
unexplored areas of the earth.  Only in the past few years has new 
technology enabled us to begin studying deep sea life in its natural 
state. The results have been astounding, with much of the basic 
research taking place in the Monterey Bay National Marine 
Sanctuary.
Some of the featured talks include:
Elliot Norse from the Marine Conservation Biology Institute who 
will speak on human impacts to the ocean environment, such as 
pollution, fishing and global climate change  as well as the 
importance of marine sanctuaries.
Bruce Robison from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research 
Institution will illuminate the discovery of new species found within 
the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon,  particularly gelatinous 
animals that comprise  as much as a quarter of the pelagic biomass. 
Judith Connor, also of MBARI will describe  the new generations of 
undersea research vehicles  which can dive, film and collect animals 
from as deep as 6,000 feet - offering a view into a world of 100-foot 
long glowing worms and animals previously unseen in their natural 
state.
Don Potts, a UC Santa Cruz professor,  will chart the water currents 
and ecological conditions which enable thousands of marine species 
to flourish within the Monterey Bay Sanctuary,  one of the worlds 
most diverse temperate coastlines. 
Holly Price, director of the Sanctuarys Water Quality Protection 
Program, will speak on the many partnerships the  Sanctuary has 
formed with area government and business agencies to examine 
land and watershed use to ensure that the streams and water 
draining into the ocean are clean.
The symposium will also honor Dr. Greggor Cailliet, a Moss 
Landing Marine Laboratory professor, who has received this years 
prestigious  Ricketts Memorial lecture Award for Exemplary 
Research in Marine Sciences. 
The award is named after Edward F. Ricketts, the famed marine 
biologist who was portrayed in the Cannery Row novels of John 
Steinbeck. 

Caillet,  who grew up surfing with his father on the beaches of 
Southern California, has had a lifelong fascination with marine life. 
He received his bachelor and doctorate degrees from UC Santa 
Barbara  in Biolotgical Sciences  and has been a professor at Moss 
Landing Marine Laboratories since 1972. 
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He has authored more than 75 scientific papers and is an expert in 
the fields of marine ichthyology, biology and ecology.  His lecture 
Saturday is entitled Below Pacific Tide: the Predictability, Diversity 
and Importance of Habitats for Marine Fishes.
The symposium will also be the occasion for the awarding of the 
annual Monterey Bay national marine Sanctuary Awards. This 
years recipients are:

Special Recognition  - Monterey Bay Sanctuary manager Terry 
Jackson, a National Oceanic  and Atmospheric Administration 
Commissioned Corps officer recently promoted to the rank of 
Captain. 
Public Officials  - State Senator Bruce McPherson and Monterey 
City  Public Works Director Bill Reichmuth.
Citizen -  Mark Silberstein.
Education - Jane Orbuch.
Conservation - Holly Price.
Science/Research - Bruce Robison.
Organization - Moss Landing Marine Labs.

The symposium is sponsored by the Association of Monterey Bay 
Area Governments, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Seaside Co., 
UC Santa Cruz Monterey Bay Regional Studies Program and the 
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 


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