The official launch of The Friends of the Bermuda Aquarium Ltd. was announced yesterday by the Bermuda Zoological Society.

Based in Maryland, the US non-profit organisation has already given BAMZ grants totalling $50,000. And it has raised more than $3,000 in membership fees which range from $35 to $1,000.

Friends allows Americans to make tax-deductable gifts to BAMZ for programmes benefiting Americans.

The organisation wants to promote shared environmental education and research projects between BAMZ and similar facilities in the United States, a Zoological Society spokesperson said.

It seeks to raise funds through corporate and private members in America and Bermuda.

Friends has already chosen several BAMZ natural history and environmental projects to support with the funds, the spokesperson said.

Among existing projects it has pledged to support is the Bermuda Turtle Project, the longest standing research project on this endangered species.

The project is one of only two long-term studies in the world on tagged wild marine turtles.

Other existing conservation projects Friends will supports include the successful release in the British Virgin Islands of flamingos reared in captivity in Bermuda, plus the study of iguanas and Haitian sliders.

And upcoming BAMZ projects Friends feels are worthy of support include: The Caribbean Conservation Project for threatened species. BAMZ wants to develop a central data base for Caribbean conservation initiatives to enable conservationists and funders to recognise and prioritise critically endangered species.

Project Seamount Bermuda, which aims to further explore Bermuda's underwater pedestal to search for deep-sea animals and communities and use samples and data for research exhibits and education.

The establishment of an endowed staff position, that of a full-time education officer responsible for coordination of all aspects of education programmes at BAMZ.

Expansion of BAMZ' intern programme to include students and teachers from America. The programme aims to increase class teachers' awareness of marine island ecology.

Expansion of the Green Turtle research project. Blood samples are collected and turtles tagged by going out by boat to turtle feeding grounds with nets.

It is hoped to purchase a 22-foot boat and some additional equipment needed to conduct the project more efficiently.

US BASE TO HAVE SALE MIL US Base to have sale The US Base is holding a huge `leaving the Island sale' starting next week.

But residents expecting low US prices should take note that a Bermuda Customs officer will be on hand to slap duty on any item they purchase.

The US Naval Air Station's Defence Reutilisation and Marketing Organisation (DRMO) will be holding the cash and carry garage sale in buildings 302 and 333, an NAS spokesperson said.

The buildings are filled with such items as fridges, chairs, wardrobes, tables, night stands, beds, carpets, sofas, recliners, vacuums, pool tables, fans, microwave ovens, buffers, mirrors -- and more.

The sale will be held April 18 through May 6, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the spokesperson said.

Items must be paid for in US dollars and duty paid at the time of purchase, she said. And customers should come prepared to remove any property they purchase as soon as the items are paid for.

Potential buyers should keep in mind that a truck will be required to haul away most of the property on sale, she added.

The property is from US Base buildings and clubs and is being sold in preparation of the American navy's scheduled pullout in 1995.