On March 14, 2003, two events, a NOAA Briefing and a House Oceans Caucus Luncheon, highlighted deep-sea corals. The purpose of the two events was to raise the awareness on issues related to deep, cold-water corals to our leaders in NOAA and the United States Congress.

Attendance at both events was outstanding! Over 100 NOAA employees attended the NOAA Briefing. While over 80 individuals, including congressional staffers, NOAA and Smithsonian Institution staff, non-governmental organizations, and media, attended the House Oceans Caucus Luncheon.

Both events expressed the importance of the need to locate and learn more about deep-sea corals, as they are unique and fragile habitats that may serve as essential fish habitat.

The following individuals gave opening speeches at the two events, respectively:

NOAA Briefing:

Peter Heffernan, Ph.D., Chief Executive, Marine Institute, Ireland

House Oceans Caucus Luncheon:

Tim Keeney, DAS for Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA
David L. Evans, Ph.D., Undersecretary of Science, Smithsonian Institution

Talks were presented at both events by:

Dr. Stephen Cairns, Smithsonian Institution
Dr. Ken Sulak, USGS
Dr. Peter Auster, National Undersea Research Center at the University of Connecticut
Dr. Mike Risk, McMaster University
Dr. Anthony Grehan, Irish Coral Reef Task Force, Chair/National University of Ireland

The NOAA Briefing and the House Oceans Caucus Luncheon were sponsored by NOAA's Undersea Research Program (NURP), the Office of Ocean Exploration, and NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology.

Contact information
Name: Kimberly Puglise
kimberly.puglise@noaa.gov