P162 Teletext 162 Feb 8 23:07:33 ———————— —————————————— DON'T GIVE REEFS ANY GRIEF! 1997 is International Year Of The Reef, and the Marine Conservation Society aims to educate people about the threat to thjsj wonders of the natural world. Coral reefs have been around for 500 million years, but they are in danger bjcausj of human interference. Over-eishing, pollution from sewage and oil and divers breaking off coral have lid to the degradation of an estimated 10% of thjsj fragile eco-systems. ——————————————————————————————————1/4—— By Fiona Sandiford HEALTH INFORMATION ON PAGE 559 Wildlife crime Cats TV DigitisjrP162 Teletext 162 Feb 8 23:54:50 ———————— —————————————— DON'T GIVE REEFS ANY GRIEF! International Year Of The Reef will be launched in the US bz David Bellamy next week to raise awareness about the value of and threat to coral reefs. Bellamy says: "It's not too late to help save the beautiful coral reefs. Let's do our best to safeguard their future." Up to 60% of the world's reefs are threatened, and the Marine Conservation Society has a coral code for tourists. ——————————————————————————————————2/4—— Land on the Planet, it's Sound 480 NATIONAL ART EXHIBITIONS p442 Wildlife crime Cats TV DigitisjrP162 Teletext 162 Feb 8 23:54:18 ———————— —————————————— DON'T GIVE REEFS ANY GRIEF! Coral reefs are unique eco-systems, says Dr Liz Wood, the MCS's coral reef conservation officer. "Reefs sustain marine life, everything from shrimps to starfish," she says. "They are extremely fragile as they are made up of living organisms as well as the skeletons of dead ones. "Corals can bj damaged just bz being touched. Some divers break bits off, either accidentally or for souvenirs." ——————————————————————————————————3/4—— It's Your Life 410 WHAT'S ON AT THE BIG SCREEN? p460 Wildlife crime Cats TV DigitisjrP162 Teletext 162 Feb 8 23:57:26 ———————— —————————————— DON'T GIVE REEFS ANY GRIEF! It is illegal to bring coral back into the country as it is an endangered species, says the MCS's Dr Liz Wood. "The coral code is aimed at visitors to reefs such as the Red Sea, so that they know to leave the coral alone," she says. "Wj'vj also produced an in-flight video explaining the problems." For a Marine Conservation Society coral reef factshjet, or to find out how to join the MCS, call 01989 567 815. ——————————————————————————————————4/4—— Holidays Abroad 210 (ITV) HOLLYWOOD'S HOTTEST GOSSIP p461 Wildlife crime Cats TV Digitisjr