WHAT: News conference to introduce three experts on the issues of shark attacks, risk reduction techniques, and shark fishery biology and management.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 9 a.m.

WHERE: 1st Amendment Lounge, National Press Club 13th Floor, 529 14th Street Northwest, Washington D.C.

WHO: George Burgess, Director, International Shark Attack File, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Robert E. Hueter, Director Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL

Rebecca Lent, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, and former Chief of Highly Migratory Species Management Division, NOAA Fisheries, Silver Spring, MD.

WHY: The public perception of the risk of shark bites and attacks was heightened through intensive news media coverage following last summer's shark attack fatalities. The press briefing will aim to put the risk of shark attacks in perspective; provide both the news media and the general public with resources where they can go to learn more about sharks and how to reduce their risk of a shark encounter; and to provide the media with additional scientific and fishery management background material.

SPONSORS: National Sea Grant College Program, NOAA Fisheries

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Ben Sherman, National Media Relations Director, National Sea Grant College Program (O) 202-662-7095,
(H) 301-262-5495, Email: sherman@nasw.org

Gordon Helm, Chief Public Affairs, NOAA Fisheries (O) 301-713-2370, Email: gordon.j.helm@noaa.gov

WEB SITE MEDIA ADVANCE REGISTRATION: http://www.seagrantnews.org

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Contact: Ben Sherman
sherman@nasw.org
202-662-7095
National Sea Grant College Program
16-Apr-2002