Gulf of Maine Days in St. Andrews

For Immediate Release

Contact: Bob DeForrest, Outreach and Education Coordinator, (207) 288-4205, gomex@earthlink.net. Local
logistics: Lee Sochasky W(506) 466-7550, H (506) 529-4909, staff@stcroix.org.

July 22, 2002, St. Andrews, New Brunswick -- Everyone is invited to attend as the Expedition visits its first port of call in Canada! The festivities begin on Tuesday, July 23, 2002. At 11:00 am ADT, come meet and welcome the Gulf Of Maine Expedition as they arrive at St. Andrews wharf. At 3:00pm, hear about current fishery issues at St. Andrews Biological Station Conference Room, 531 Brandy Cove Road, St. Andrews. This discussion will be open to the public. The Gulf Of Maine Day is capped by the Team presentation at 7:00pm, at the Sunbury Shores Arts & Nature Center at 139 Water Street, St. Andrews. The presentation includes the Gulf Of Maine Expedition's mission, goals, finding and experience thus far; it has been evolving and is updated steadily with photos, findings and anecdotes as they continue their journey. On Wednesday, July 24, kayakers are welcome to join the Expedition for an afternoon trip around Navy Island at 1:00pm. Bring a kayak, canoe, or rent at a discount from Seascape Kayak Tours, (506)529-4866 or Eastern Outdoors, (506)529-4662.

All of the Gulf Of Maine Expedition's events are fortuitously scheduled in this, the International Year of Ecotourism. Team leader and Maine Sea Grant Extension Agent Natalie Springuel, Science and Technology Coordinator Richard MacDonald, Canadian team members Dan Earle and Sue Hutchins, and Outreach and Education Coordinator Bob DeForrest will all be available to hear your concerns regarding the health of the Gulf, and discuss their journey, findings and mission.

Partners for the event include St. Croix International Waterway Commission, Sunbury Shores Arts & Nature Centre, St. Andrews Biological Station, St. Croix Estuary Project, Town of St. Andrews, Eastern Outdoors, Seascape Kayak Tours.

The Gulf Of Maine Expedition was organized to raise awareness and caring about the ecology and culture of the Gulf of Maine. Their records capture a snapshot of the Gulf as it is today, providing a unique perspective for monitoring in the future. Their website, www.gomexpedition.org, is updated several times a week to provide an evolving virtual documentary with an active route map, images from the Gulf, observations, and journal entries.

The Gulf of Maine Expedition was made possible by the generous financial support of Maine Sea Grant, Maine Coastal Program, Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, and the New England Biolabs Foundation. Additional equipment and financial support has come from Necky Kayaks, Kokatat, U. Maine Cooperative Extension, and many other businesses and individuals. For more information, please visit www.gomexpedition.org. If you would like a copy of the Gulf Of Maine Expedition Newsletter, which includes the Expedition itinerary, please email Bob DeForrest at gomex@earthlink.net.