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Winter 2003 - V.18 N.4 Table of Content	5,000 New Fish Species in Census of Oceans
News Around the Lagoon First Phase of Everglades Restoration Begins Trace Levels of Wood Presearvations Found in Florida Aquifer Nonnative Mussels Found in Tampa could Spread Wildly House Members Urge Bush to Retain Clean Water Act Protection Artificial Reefs Study and Regulation Plan Invasive Cogon Grass May Surpass Kudzu as Southern Plant Scourge Congress Oks $150 million for Everglades Central Florida Water Supply in Peril 5,000 New Fish Species in Census of Oceans EPA Reports 40 More Superfund Toxic Waste Site Cleanups Skin Lesions Affect Fishermen and Swimmers Mercury Decreases in Everglades Surfriders TRests Prompts Further StudyRunoff Cause Cattails Spread in Everglades Puffer-fish Band Stretches to One Year	Three hundred scientists from 53 countries are working on the decade-long census to learn the number of different species, the species' populations and where they live. So far, the research is coming up with about 200 previously unknown species of fish and 1,700 new species of other aquatic animals and plants each year. The scientists believe the oceans that extend across 70 percent of Earth's surface hold about 20,000 species of fish and up to 2 million species of animals and plants. They hope to gain a better understanding of life in the mostly unexplored seas. Environmentalists are looking to the data to measure the impacts of overfishing and pollution. Industry hopes it will lead to more efficient fishing, new pharmaceuticals and industrial compounds. The project grew from scientists' concern following the 1995 National Academy of Sciences report that human population growth was quickly changing the diversity of life in the oceans. Next Article: EPA Reports 40 More Superfund Toxic Waste Site Cleanups

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