International (Trailer) Shark Documentary to premier at Newport Beach Film Festival in California
By John Bell
Apr 19, 2011 - 1:33:09 PM
Newport Beach, California - International
marine and wildlife conservation artists Guy Harvey and Wyland join with renown
SCUBA diver and wildlife photographer Jim Abernathy to showcase
T
his is Your Ocean: Sharks, as
the Eco Spotlight feature at the Newport Beach Film Festival, scheduled for
April 28-May 5th.
Director
George C. Schellenger takes the audience into the world of sharks through the
eyes of Wyland, Harvey and Abernathy in the crystal clear waters of the
Bahamas, one of the last shark sanctuaries on earth. The 44-minute documentary depicts sharks in their
environment capturing both adventure and passion and providing the audience
with face-to-face realism never shown before on film.
Dr.
Harvey, founder of the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern
University and the internationally regarded Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF),
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.
In
related shark conservation activity, Dr. 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. 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.
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