PRNewsFoto/SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
While his name may be known for colorful clothes and detailed murals, Guy Harvey is a unique blend of artist, scientist, diver, angler, conservationist and explorer whose passion for the ocean and its inhabitants has created a global brand with a worldwide following.
Guy Harvey has recently partnered with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in an effort to raise awareness of ocean health and the plight of sharks in the wild. The two organizations want to raise awareness and collaborate on science and research to increase understanding of how to better protect these important predators and their habitats.
From the press release …
“SeaWorld is committed to raising awareness of the plight of sharks in the wild and the oceans they live in. As part of our commitment that we made in March of this year, we will put meaningful dollars, research and man hours towards reducing this troubling trend,” Joel Manby, President and CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment said. “The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and Guy Harvey Research Institute have been front and center in this effort for years, and we are proud to pen a new chapter in those efforts today.”
Research shows that nearly 100 million sharks are killed every year in the global shark fishery. The Guy Harvey Research Institute estimates that 73 million per year are in the fin trade alone. Members of SeaWorld’s animal care team recently joined a Guy Harvey Research Institute shark tagging expedition off the coast of Mexico where six Mako sharks were tagged over the course of four days. Those tagged sharks will subsequently by followed by students and researchers at Guy Harvey’s Institute at Nova Southeastern University. You can follow along online at www.GHRItracking.org.
“The partnership with SeaWorld will ensure our ocean conservation messages and our efforts to protect Mako sharks reach a broader audience here in the United States and worldwide,” said renowned scientist, marine wildlife artists and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey. “We are thrilled to gain the support of the SeaWorld team as we continue to bring education initiatives and conservation efforts to life.”
In addition to the science and research efforts, Guy Harvey and SeaWorld will also work together to increase public awareness about ocean health and the need for shark conservation. SeaWorld’s new roller coaster, Mako, will be a major platform for this effort. In the queue for the new coaster, guests will be educated and entertained through digital platforms that provide access to the real science of sharks in the wild and ways they can help protect them. Guy Harvey himself is as the host.
In other spots around the Mako realm, guests will have access to real-time shark tracking and videos from Guy Harvey’s vast library of shark expeditions. Interactive materials will also share information about shark conservation and ways to get involved.
Guy Harvey will commission an array of exclusive paintings and apparel, which will be available only at SeaWorld. SeaWorld will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of such items directly to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. Guy Harvey will make park appearances, including the painting of a signature Mako mural for the launch of the new roller coaster.
Photo: PRNewsFoto/SeaWorld Parks
A bit about SeaWorld’s new Mako roller coaster
Named for the ocean’s fastest known shark, Mako will be Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest coaster. At 200 feet tall, this hyper coaster will reach speeds of 73 mph along a 4,760-foot steel track (nearly a mile long), giving riders the experience of feeling both breathless and weightless. Deep dives of unmatched speed will replicate the Mako’s predator power. Are you ready for Mako?
Photo: PRNewsFoto/SeaWorld Parks Entertainment
More about Guy Harvey
Guy Harvey’s childhood passion for the ocean and its creatures inspired him to draw and prompted a formal education in marine science. He graduated with honors in Marine Biology from Aberdeen University in Scotland in 1977. Harvey then returned home to Jamaica and went on to earn his Ph.D. from the University of the West Indies in 1984. His marine interests led him to become a highly acclaimed artist where he continues to travel the world to better understand the habits and habitats of the marine wildlife he paints.
The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation is an organization of philanthropists, conservationists, scientists and educators that emphasize sensible strategies for promoting ocean conservation and the development of the next generation of marine scientists. The foundation funds scientific research and education programs developed by universities, colleges, institutes and nonprofit organizations.
The Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI)
The GHRI is a scientific research organization based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography of Nova Southeastern University. Established in 1999, GHRI is a collaboration between marine artist Dr. Guy Harvey and NSU’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography. The goal of the GHRI is to assume a leadership role in providing the scientific information necessary to understand and save the world’s fish resources and biodiversity from drastic declines. GHRI is one of only a handful of private organizations dedicated exclusively to expanding the scientific knowledge base needed for effective conservation of fish populations and maintenance of fish biodiversity.
For more information on Guy Harvey, please visit www.guyharvey.com.
Learn more about SeaWorld and its vast marine conservation initiatives at www.seaworldcares.com.
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