conference being held today at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research.

The International Year of the Ocean symposium entitled "Exploring New Frontiers'' will kick off at 9 a.m. at BBSR's Hanson Hall, said station public relations officer Kathleen Frith.

It will feature top scientists who are working with new technologies to examine potential threats to the world's oceans including Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution associate director of education Dr. John Farrington.

Ms Frith said: "His presentation is entitled `Health of the Oceans: Reviews and Challenges for Future Research and Monitoring'.

"Dr. Farrington will give an overview of the current status of health of the ocean from the perspectives of the United Nations and world scientific community assessments.'' Dr. Farrington added: "The vast volume of the world's oceans led modern human civilisations to consider the oceans as a waste receptor in the mode of `the solution to pollution is dilution'.

"Although this attitude has met with public outcry, as economic development proceeds, humanity faces environmental challenges, especially in the world's coastal oceans.'' Dr. Farrington's presentation will feature harmful alga blooms, loss of bio-diversity, habitat alteration, harvesting pressure on fisheries, effects of several chemicals of environmental concern and effects of climate fluctuation.

He will also discuss environmental research currently conducted that helps monitor these environmental challenges.

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