Art of the Dive/Portraits of the Deep Exhibition At IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in October

DANIA BEACH, FL—SEPTEMBER 22, 2011—A group of internationally acclaimed marine artists, including Dr. Guy Harvey, Wyland and sculptor Kent Ullberg, will be among the featured artists in the Art of the Dive/Portraits of the Deep traveling museum exhibition, scheduled to be on display at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum from October 1st to November 30^th.

The exhibition, produced by David J. Wagner L.L.C., features work by leading artists who portray underwater life forms and habitat.

"Blue Runner" - Guy Harvey

"Jewfish 6 - Sabbath Reef Worship, Belize" - Stanley Meltzoff

"Caribbean Reef Shark" - Ian Coleman

The exhibit features original paintings and sculptures and photographs by the world’s leading marine painters and sculptors.  These begin with New York painter, Stanley Meltzoff (1917-2006), who as curator/author was given his art-of –the-dive start with a commission from National Geographic Society in the 1960s and who is now generally recognized as the progenitor of the series.

In addition to works from Stanley Meltzoff, Guy Harvey, Wyland and Kent Ullberg, artists and sculptors represented include Charles Allmond, Al Barnes, Renee Bemis, Eric Berg, M.J. Brush, Ian Coleman, Jean-Louis Courteau, John Kobald, Diane Peebles, Randy Puckett, Don Ray, George Schelling, Randall Scotts, Rachelle and Wes Siegrist, Mark Susinno, Fred Thomas and Ronnie Williford.

Mike Myatt, IGFA Chief Operating Officer stated “We are very excited and deeply honored to be the first venue of this truly incredible collection of art. This is definitely a show not to be missed.”

Applications Now Being Accepted from Florida Collegians for 2012 Guy Harvey Scholarship

DAVIE, FL-SEPTEMBER 16, 2011-Applications for the 2012 Guy Harvey Scholarship, supported by the Florida Sea Grant and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, are now available to full-time undergraduate and graduate students attending Florida universities.

Established in 2010, the program has awarded $24,000 in scholarships to six students from five Florida universities who are working to better renewable, finite marine resources through science.

“Healthy oceans are essential for life on our planet. It is our collective responsibility to conserve the marine environment and maintain the biodiversity of our oceans, ” said Dr. Harvey, one of the world’s leading marine conservationists. “With the support of the GHOF’ s many visionary friends and future scientists like these students, we will develop new strategies to preserve the life that remains and hopefully restore the marine life that has been destroyed.”

Scholarship recipients receive $5,000 to support their research and a certificate designed and signed by Harvey. A panel of faculty members from Florida universities, plus the Director of Florida Sea Grant and Guy Harvey, will review applications and select the award recipients on the basis of five criteria:

1. Overall quality and scientific merits of a research proposal not to exceed 5 pages in length plus a budget and brief budget justification (35%)
2. A 1,000 word career goal statement (20%)
3. Two letters of recommendation including one from the student’s faculty advisor (15%)
4. The strength of academic performance, particularly in the marine fisheries sciences, as documented by college transcripts (15%)
5. Additional relevant experience including extra-curricular fisheries-related activities, honors and awards (15%)

Students researching large pelagic marine fish and sharks are encouraged to apply through the Florida Sea Grant, which manages the program.  To learn more, click here.

Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Supporting New Shark-Free Marinas Initiative Florida Campaign

Converting Florida Marinas Critical to Health of Shark Populations

The Shark-Free Marinas Initiative (SFMI) is reaching out to marinas in Florida to ask for their support in conserving the world’s shark populations. Organized as a cooperative by the Pegasus Foundation, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundationand The Humane Society of the United States, the SFMI aims to reduce shark mortality worldwide by discouraging the landing of sharks and encouraging catch-and-release of sharks in sport fishing, while rewarding forward-thinking marinas that participate in this program. Supporting organizations include Mote Marine Laboratory, the Pew Environment Group,  Fishpond USA and theFisheries Conservation Foundation.

“Shark populations worldwide have suffered severe declines due to over-fishing,” says world renowned artist, angler and conservationist, Dr. Guy Harvey, “Marinas in Florida can now do their part to help conserve these ecologically vital animals by joining the SFMI.”

Sharks are currently being killed at an unsustainable rate. A scientific study published by Imperial College, London estimated that the fins of from 26 million up to 73 million sharks per year were being traded through the world’s fin markets as of the year 2000, mostly for shark fin soup. In addition, the U.S. government estimates that recreational fishing killed an average of more than 200,000 sharks along the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coast each year between 2004 and 2008.

“Many sharks species have declined because of overfishing, which recreational fishing has contributed to in the U.S.,” notes Dr. Robert Hueter, senior scientist and director, Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Shark Research. “Sustaining these species is in the interest of recreational anglers as well as marine conservationists.”

Marinas in Florida can help reduce the number of sharks being killed by joining the SFMI and preventing dead sharks from being brought back to their docks. “There is no state more important to the success of this initiative in the United States than Florida, the sport-fishing capital of the world,” says Luke Tipple, managing director of the SFMI. “”Because of the number of shark species off Florida, and the sheer number of nursery grounds and migratory routes located there, protecting Florida’s sharks is critical to maintaining the health of Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters.”

SFMI supporter John Land Le Coq, co-founder of Fishpond USA, agrees. “Sharks are the guardians of the ocean and play an essential part in the health of the ocean. Most anglers I know are very concerned about the status of sharks. I hope every marina in Florida joins this important program. ”

According to Dr. John Grandy, senior vice president, The Humane Society of the United States, “Thousands of dollars in prizes are offered in shark tournaments that the government itself acknowledges are poorly monitored. Kill tournaments and misinformed media support the antiquated concept that the only good shark is a dead shark. This has to change.”

There are two different levels of commitment for an interested marina. It can either become a “Shark-Free Marina” that completely prohibits the landing of all sharks on its docks or a “Shark-Friendly Marina” — a facility that discourages the killing and landing of sharks and does not promote any activity that could harm sharks.

“The SFMI works in tandem with businesses and fishermen to increase the awareness of the need to protect our sharks and oceans,” says Barbara Birdsey, founder of the Pegasus Foundation. “This is a voluntary program that will prevent the needless killing of these ecologically and economically vital animals.” Each marina will also receive recognition around the world as a partner in this growing initiative.

Dr. Harvey summarizes: “I encourage recreational fishermen everywhere to join with me and SFMI to help protect sharks and our oceans. Our world needs sharks.”

Facts

• The U.S. government estimates that, on average, more than 200,000 sharks were killed annually off the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coast by sport fishermen for each year between 2004 and 2008.
• In 2009, close to 2,000 shortfin mako sharks were killed in recreational and commercial fisheries in the U.S., leading the National Marine Fisheries Service to declare that  shortfin mako sharks are “overfished.”  Despite asking fishermen to voluntarily release these sharks unharmed, tournaments targeting makos have continued.
• Today the dusky shark population in the northwestern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico is estimated to have lost 80-85 percent of its population since the mid-1970s, according to research cited by a 2011 NMFS report. The NMFS prohibited recreational fishermen from possessing duskies starting in in 2000, but they can be difficult to identify and some sport fishermen still catch and release them.
• Forward thinking anglers have already created new fishing tournaments that help conserve sharks and support marine research. For example, in 2011, the Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge, an annual Catch and Release Tournament in SW Florida awarded $10,000 in prizes for research related tagging, while the Ocean City (Md.) Shark Tournament awarded $30,000 in prizes in its Catch and Release Division.
• The Shark-Free Marina Initiative is a program of The Humane Society of the United States. It is strongly supported by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Fishpond USA, Mote Marine Laboratory, Oceanic Defense, The Fisheries Conservation Foundation, the Cape Eleuthera Institute and the Pegasus Foundation.

The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Joins Jonathan Bird’s Blue World As an Underwriting Sponsor

DAVIE, FL— SEPTEMBER 9, 2011—Winner of three 2011 Emmy Awards, Jonathan Bird’s Blue World TV series has welcomed aboard celebrated marine artist, scientist and conservationist Guy Harvey for the show’s upcoming 3^rd Season as an underwriting sponsor.

The sponsorship comes through The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF), which funds inspired scientific research and innovative educational programs to encourage conservation and best management practices for sustainable marine environments.  There will be a 15 second underwriter’s credit at the beginning and ending of each episode.

Season 3 will begin airing in some markets this month and to ultimately air in 22% of the U.S. and in 16 states with half of the broadcasts on weekends and 24% in prime time.

“Jonathan Bird’s Blue World takes viewers on an adventurous exploration of the world’s oceans in a series the whole family will enjoy,” explains Harvey. “The series is also a valuable tool for science education. Because it is entertaining and educational, many teachers find it valuable to incorporate Blue World into their science curriculum. I’m pleased to support those efforts.”

Season three features the heartwarming story of Sully the Pilot Whale, the magical moment when coral spawns, surprise diving lessons and a Caribbean adventure for a 13 year old Blue World fan.  Viewers will meet Sea Lions, Humpback whales, bottom-dwelling sharks, blind cavefish, dolphins in Curaçao, sea snakes, sailfish and the Potato Cod. They will swim with Jonathan in the world’s largest Aquarium tank, and meet the always entertaining Diver Ed, who takes everyone diving in Maine without getting wet.

Jonathan Bird’s Blue World has aired continuously on public television stations in the United States since May 2008. Co-produced by Jonathan Bird Productions and Oceanic Research Group, the series has been shown over 8,500 times in 33 states to over 160 million potential viewers. Season 3 of the series is scheduled for release in August 2011. Seasons 1 and 2 are available on DVD. Individual segments and educational materials for teachers are available at www.blueworldtv.com.

Benedict Advertising Wins Coca-Cola Agency Excellence Award for Guy Harvey/SUBWAY Promotion

Benedict Advertising was recently awarded the 2011 Agency Excellence Award from Coca-Cola for creating and executing a partnership with SUBWAY restaurants and world-famous artist Guy Harvey. The campaign focused on the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation‘s theme of “Save Our Gulf”, an initiative to raise awareness and money to study the effects of the BP oil spill on fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.

Guy Harvey created a new custom design for this campaign. The artwork wrapped around a 32-ounce collectible cup, which was only available at participating SUBWAY restaurants. In addition, “Save Our Gulf” PSAs were created for both TV and radio and were distributed to broadcasters in Gulf states that were affected by the oil spill.

At the store level, SUBWAY employees wore t-shirts based on the Guy Harvey design, and posters featuring the design were placed in strategic locations in each restaurant. SUBWAY received valuable press for the in-store promotion and sales of Coca-Cola products increased significantly at participation locations. Most importantly, the GHOF was able to raise a significant amount of money, which went immediately to organizations that were directly involved in important marine science studies in the Gulf.

Congratulations to Michael Benedict and the team at Benedict Advertising for leading the charge in this promotion, and a huge thanks to participating SUBWAY restaurants for partnering with the GHOF in this important endeavor. Most of all, thanks to all the loyal and giving Guy Harvey fans who supported this campaign by visiting a participating SUBWAY locations and purchasing a GHOF collectible cup.

GHOF Funding Sawfish Studies in Florida Bay, Florida Keys, the Tortugas and Indian River Lagoon

In October 2010, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and Hell’s Bay Boatworks donated a custom boat and trailer valued at more than $50,000 to the Florida Program for Shark Research. FPSR director and world-renowned shark expert George Burgess recently filed this report detailing the ongoing sawfish studies he is conducting in the waters around south Florida:

During the spring sampling season, three ongoing projects of the Florida Program for Shark Research at UF’s Florida Museum of Natural History, one in collaboration with researchers from Florida State University (FSU), focused on the distribution and movements of adult and subadult sawfishes in the southern portion of its Florida range.

We produced a survey of the waters surrounding U.S. Navy properties in the Key West region in order to determine the current status of sawfishes in those areas for the U.S. Navy/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Because of obvious security constraints, we were the first fish biologists to sample in these waters in decades.

Concurrently, in conjunction with Dean Grubbs and fellow FSU scientists and the John Carlson of the National Marine Fisheries Service, we sampled the middle and lower Keys and Tortugas region and Florida Bay, catching and satellite tagging eleven sawfishes.  Satellite tags give long time and distance of movement information and we hope our tagging will help us better understand seasonal horizontal (up and down the coast) and vertical (depth) movements of the critters.

We also caught and multiple tagged two large adults in Florida Bay, the tags being traditional “spaghetti,” satellite, and active acoustic models.  The last allowed us to manually track the minute to minute movements using a receiver held under the boat.  Our first saw was “lost” within the first hour or so as it gave us the slip by scooting over a shallow bank, then boogying before we could detect its signal.  Having learned our lesson, on our second capture we got in 38 hours of tracking over three days, including day-night comparisons.  The sawfish moved about in deeper channels by day, then moved onto shallow, seagrass beds by night.  It chose the same shallow grassy area on successive nights, demonstrating some short-term site fidelity.  Next spring we plan to initiate placement of underwater listening stations on the bottom and tag the sawfishes with passive acoustic tags.  These tags will leave a unique “bleep” on any receiver as the sawfish swims near, allowing us to track localized movements over longer periods and larger areas.  We also will continue to satellite tag these and other sawfishes.

While sampling for sawfishes we also caught many sharks and rays.  All of these animals also were measured, sexed, sampled (tissue for DNA) and tagged as part of ongoing studies of their biology and movement patterns.  We also continued our work in Indian River Lagoon (IRL), where we began tagging young bull sharks with spaghetti and passive acoustic tags in a “new” region for us, the St. Lucie River estuary.  This work is being done with our colleague, David Snyder, of Continental Shelf Associates.  We also continue to download data from our underwater array of receivers in Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River and the northern IRL, where tagged bull sharks and rays still roam.

During this time period we put 5000 miles in land travel on the Guy Harvey adorned Hell’s Bay and God only knows how many sea miles on our faithful vessel!

George Burgess

FPSR

August 2011

Guy Harvey's “The Mystery of the Grouper Moon” Documentary to Premier in Grand Cayman

45-Minute Film Promotes Protection of the Endangered Nassau Grouper

GEORGETOWN, GRAND CAYMAN— Marine artist and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey and award-winning filmmaker George Schellenger have a strong message in their new collaboration “The Mystery of the Grouper Moon”— convince Cayman government officials to extend a ban on fishing at spawning aggregations for the endangered Nassau Grouper.

Shot entirely in the Cayman Islands and supported by REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment, the 45-minute documentary is scheduled to premier on September 13^th at the Harquail Theatre in Grand Cayman.  Two showings are planned, with the first starting at 6 p.m. The general public is invited. Dr. Harvey, a resident of Grand Cayman, will be distributing “Save Nassau Grouper” posters to those in attendance as well as to students on subsequent school visits in October.

At stake in this effort by Dr. Harvey and other leading marine scientists is the protection of one of the last-known intact spawning areas for the Nassau Grouper in the world.  An eight year ban on fishing at these spawning aggregations, mandated in 2003 by the CI Marine Conservation Board, is due to expire in December of this year.

“The Nassau groupers in the Cayman Islands used to congregate over the full moon in January and February at eight specific sites,” said Dr. Harvey. “Local fishermen have known about these sites for years, but recently, overfishing at these sites has led to the rapid decline in this species. Today, one active site remains in west end of Little Cayman.”

Dr. Harvey said that thanks to the ban at this site and other locations, colonies are beginning to grow again, thus helping the Nassau Grouper populations to recover.

“Part of our awareness effort is to enlist the support of residents, especially school age children, to send e-mails to the Hon. Mark Scotland, The Minister of Environment, to express their wishes to see the extension on the protection of the grouper holes,” added Dr. Harvey.

Protect Billfish Today By Asking Your Congressman to Support the Billfish Conservation Act of 2011

It’s time to take marlin off the menu! The current consumer demand for marlin and other billfish has surpassed sustainable levels, and worldwide marlin populations are being decimated by commercial fishing. The time for action is now, so the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation has joined with the International Game Fish Association and the National Coalition for Marine Conservation to promote the “Take Marlin Off the Menu” initiative.

It is currently illegal to harvest or import Atlantic-caught billfish into the U.S., but fish caught in the Pacific Ocean flood into U.S. markets in substantial numbers, threatening the survival of these fisheries. The Billfish Conservation Act of 2011 (S. 1451 andH.R. 2706), introduced into Congress on July 29, would close U.S. commercial markets to Pacific billfish, preventing their sale and importation (excluding Hawaii and Pacific Insular Island Area). Click here for a fact sheet about the Billfish Conservation Act of 2011.

In short, this important bipartisan legislation will help restore billfish populations and improve recreational fishing opportunities while concurrently creating jobs and other economic benefits.

Click here to send a message to your Members of Congress today
asking them to support the Billfish Conservation Act of 2011.

It only takes a minute to voice your support today, and in order to ensure this important bill is passed, we need your help!. Thank you for taking the time to help conserve our nation’s invaluable fisheries resources for generations to come.

Why Take Marlin off the Menu?

Marlin populations throughout the world are being wiped out by commercial overfishing. Click here to read more about this and other reasons to join the campaign to Take Marlin off the Menu.

Concerned about the health of billfish fisheries, the IGFA and the National Coalition for Marine Conservation joined forces in 2008 to create the Take Marlin off the Menu campaign. In just two short years, the campaign gained the support of such luminaries as Wolfgang Puck and the Wegmans Supermarket chain – as well as the attention of U.S. policymakers. Their support hinged largely on an Economic Analysis of International Billfish Markets which shows that the economic value of the U.S. billfish trade is almost nil in relation to the rest of the U.S. commercial fishing industry.

Your support of the Billfish Conservation Act would close the U.S. to commercial billfish harvest, importation and sale. It would have a negligible impact on the commercial industry in the U.S. while helping increase the abundance of these important apex predators and also the value of the recreational fishery, which brings in billions of dollars annually but has a minimal impact on billfish populations.

Take action today to make sure that no billfish will end up in grocery store shelves or on restaurant menus again. Click here to voice your support for the Billfish Conservation Act of 2011!

Want to do more to protect billfish? You can make a gift to the Take Marlin off the Menu campaign in a few easy steps.

Guy Harvey to Appear August 23rd & 24th at Mid-Atlantic $500,000 Tourney in Cape May, NJ

It’s party time! Tournament week has arrived and we’re going to celebrate!  Back in 1992 the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 debuted and out of the gate became the world’s first million-dollar marlin tournament.  Today, as the event begins a week-long celebration of its 20^th anniversary, it continues to be, boat for boat, the richest marlin and tuna tournament in the world!  A lot of planning and preparation has taken place over the past year and numerous special events are scheduled for tournament participants this week.

Boats began arriving as early as mid-week last week at Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey and Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland, the event’s host marinas.  While some crews spent the past few days readying tackle, others used the time to pre-fish the waters off the south Jersey coast and they weren’t disappointed with what they saw.  A tuna bite saw several big eyes of over 200 pounds caught and the billfish also bit in numbers as blue marlin and white marlin flags were flying daily at both marinas.  All this bodes well for tournament participants who have gathered to battle for a share of the cash purse that’s expected to top $1.5 million!

Tournament registration begins at 1 p.m. today where last minute sign-ups and calcutta entries will take place.  The captains meeting and cocktail party is set for 4:30 p.m. when rules will be explained and committee boats assigned.  Fishing begins tomorrow morning and continues through Friday.  Participants will select three of the next five days to fish the canyons offshore and although Ocean City, Maryland is the event’s official satellite port, all boats must fish within 125 miles of the Cape May Sea Buoy regardless of their sailing inlet.  Boats may not clear their respective sea buoy prior to 4:30 a.m. each day and fishing begins at 8:30 a.m.  “Lines Out” is set for 3:30 p.m.  All fish to be weighed must be at the scales of either marina by 9 p.m.

With a field of at least 125 boats tournament cash proceeds of $500,000 is assured.  The three heaviest white marlin and blue marlin are each worth $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 respectively while the three heaviest tuna are worth $75,000, $35,000 and $20,000.  The heaviest wahoo and dolphin (mahi mahi) each win $10,000.  Optional calcutta entries, which are sanctioned by the tournament, will add considerable cash to the purse.  Minimum weight for a white marlin to qualify is 65 pounds and a blue marlin must weigh at least 400 pounds.  Any tuna, including big eye, yellowfin or longfin, must weigh at least 50 pounds.  Points are awarded for billfish releases and tournament artwork by marine artist Guy Harvey is awarded to the top three point winners.

The Guy Harvey-wrapped counter at South Jersey Marina.

Remember, August is officially “Guy Harvey Month” at South Jersey Marina and Guy’s latest artwork and merchandise will be on display and available for purchase.  Also, in addition to his exclusive, private appearances at the Mid-Atlantic $500,000, Guy will be available for a rare public northeast signing session at the South Jersey Marina Ship’s Store on August 23 and August 24 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  The public is cordially invited to meet Guy personally and have him sign his artwork, t-shirt or other items baring his art.  The Ship’s Store at South Jersey Marina is located at 1231 Rt. 109, Cape May.

Please note aside from the Guy Harvey signing sessions at South Jersey Marina mentioned above, the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 is a private event and not open to the general public.  Tournament credentials are required for access to any tournament activities and facilities.

We will provide nightly updates shortly after the scales close at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday via e-mail.  A complete tournament wrap-up will be sent out via e-mail by 11 a.m. Saturday.  For further information on the tournament or the Guy Harvey public appearances, please contact South Jersey Marina at 609-884-2400 or visit the tournament’s official web site at www.MA500.com where you’ll find the latest information including photos, standings and a link to purchase official tournament apparel.

GHOF, Phil Smith Automotive Group Partner to Promote Guy Harvey’s “Catch Me, Release Me” Specialty License Plate

The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation has partnered with Phil Smith Automotive Group to help support the GHOF’s new ‘Catch Me… Release Me’ specialty license plate for the state of Florida. Customers who register for the ‘Catch Me… Release Me’ tag when purchasing a new vehicle at south Florida Phil Smith dealerships will receive a limited edition Guy Harvey poster and in addition, Phil Smith Automotive will make a $100 donation to the marine conservation efforts of the GHOF.

This offer is available to customers at Phil Smith Chevrolet in Ft. Lauderdale, Phil Smith Acura in Pompano Beach and Phil Smith Kia in Lighthouse Point. Offer expires on August 31, 2011 so stop into one of these Phil Smith dealerships today and help save our seas!