SPANISH FORT, Ala. — A portion of the proceeds from an Eastern Shore appearance by Guy Harvey Saturday will benefit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, an operation the renowned conservationist and marine artist called “one of the top marine fishery …
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SPANISH FORT, Ala. — A portion of the proceeds from an Eastern Shore appearance by Guy Harvey Saturday will benefit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, an operation the renowned conservationist and marine artist called “one of the top marine fishery research centers in the country.”
“As a scientist with a Ph.D. in fisheries and biology, this organization speaks my language in the areas of its mission, research and educational activities,” said Harvey, who will personalize merchandise from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Bass Pro Shops in Spanish Fort.
Harvey will donate $1 from every item of his merchandise purchased to the barrier island’s nonprofit research facility.
Lab spokeswoman Lori Angelo said the funds will be used to assist in developing new resources to buoy the facility’s long-term growth and “ensure sustainability of our unique coastal resource.”
Heralded for his conservation efforts, Harvey has most recently lent his efforts to protecting shark, bluefin tuna, grouper and other sportfish populations that are “being decimated around the planet,” and his own Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation has raised more than $500,000 to date to fund research examining how oil from the 2010 BP oil spill is affecting fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Healthy oceans are essential for life on our planet, and the threat in the Gulf of Mexico is ongoing and very severe. It is our collective responsibility to conserve the marine environment and maintain the biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico.
“Through the support of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation’s visionary friends, leading scientists will develop new strategies to preserve the life that remains and restore the marine life that has been destroyed,” said Harvey via email from his home on Grand Cayman.
Harvey said it is impossible to know at such an early stage how much damage the spill caused the Gulf and its ecosystems, but experts have been working tirelessly to determine what research can be conducted in the short term while simultaneously drafting a response to what may be long-term problems.
“We’re active on many fronts, supporting scientific initiatives to study the ecosystem as it relates to the fisheries. Earlier this year, for example, the foundation along with the Florida Sea Grant presented research awards of $5,000 to four outstanding young Florida students for research on the effects the oil spill had on pelagic fishes,” he said.
Considering the magnitude of the spill’s impact, however, Harvey encouraged everyone to remain engaged and involved with efforts to preserve and protect their Gulf.
The bottom line, he said, is that “we can no longer take the oceans and their bounty for granted,” meaning all who enjoy marine activities should educate themselves and become “more conservation-minded and do their part."
“There is a lot of work in marine conservation to be done with education and awareness being at the top of that list. The more we collaborate, undertake and educate together, the better the result will be for the marine environment and, ultimately, for us all,” Harvey said. “For people who fish regularly, I encourage them to join a local angling club, a regional angling organization and a national conservation organization. By doing so, they can stay informed and participate in the educational and conservation process. I encourage anglers, divers and boaters to pursue their hobby responsibly and obey local laws governing bag limits, size limits, closed areas and marine parks.”
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