Miami, Fl - Celebrated
marine artist, scientist and conservationist Guy Harvey has offered his
artistic talent and foundation sponsorship funding in support of the upcoming
Circle Hook Symposium scheduled for May 4-6 in Miami.
The symposium, hosted by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is an international gathering of scientists,
resource managers and constituents convening to discuss the performance and use
of circle hooks in commercial, recreational and artisanal fisheries.
Designed as an exchange of information through both oral and
poster presentations, the symposium will also review abstracts on circle hooks
and scientific papers on related studies.
The internationally regarded Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
(GHOF) and Guy Harvey Research Institute of Nova Southeastern University are
among several primary sponsors of the symposium, which include the U.S. Marine
Fisheries Service, International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, University
of Miami, World Wildlife Fund, and others.
For more information on the Circle Hook Symposium, scheduled
to be held at the Westin Colonnade in Coral Gables, go to www.circlehooksymposium.org.
While it is legal to use a J-hook to fish for sharks,
experts such as Dr. Harvey recommend using a circle hook, where the barb points
inward and not outward.
Dr. Harvey recently joined the growing ranks of individuals
and organizations calling for strict regulations to ban the commercial fishing
of all sharks in The Bahamas.
Scientists with the International Union for Conservation of
Nature have estimated that 30 percent of shark and ray species around the world
are threatened or near threatened with extinction. The loss of these animals could cause irreversible damage to
the ocean’s ecosystem and result in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars
in the tourist trade.
Laishley State Park in Punta Gorda, Florida is hosting the
2011 “Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge Tournament” on May 13-15th,
which has become a model for the next-generation of shark catch and release
tournaments with the mandatory use of circle hooks. Scientists from Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota will be on the
water working with the Tournament fishermen, tagging qualifying sharks and
assisting with the release.
About Guy Harvey
Guy Harvey is a world-renowned as a painter, underwater
photographer, diver and marine biologist. Harvey, with permission from the
Ernest Hemmingway family, made a name for himself by debuting two sets of pen
and ink drawings, including a collection titled
Santiago's Finest Hour, inspired by the author’s book,
The Old Man &
the Sea. Since then, Harvey expanded beyond pen and ink to develop an
artistic style of painting and photography that captivates fish and ocean
lovers. He is a member of the prestigious Society of Animal Artists.
Guy’s books are collectors’ items, including his new
“Panama Paradise” book featuring pictures and illustrations of the world famous
Tropic Star Lodge in Panama. Among his many other accomplishments, Harvey’s
Portraits
from the Deep book was made into a
television fishing series currently airing on Fox Florida TV Network. The
series received a Telly Award.
Much of Harvey’s distinguished work
is on a grand scale, having created full-wall murals at Nova Southeastern
University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale International
Airport and Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman. Harvey is the
recipient Panama’s highest recognition, The Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Grand Cross
and Silver Star, presented to those who make a positive impact in preserving
Panama’s ocean resources.Solomon
Shamah, Panama’s Minister of Tourism, presented the medal to Dr. Harvey. For additional information on Guy
Harvey, visit www.guyharvey.com
