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.”

Guy Harvey to Unveil “Save Our Gulf” Exhibit at IGFA

Last summer, in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation created the “Save Our Gulf” outreach campaign. In addition to raising $500,000 for Gulf of Mexico fisheries research, the GHOF teamed with the Sun-Sentinel’s “Newspapers in Education” program to create the “Save Our Gulf Art and Essay Contest.”  The contest was open to students in first through 12^th grades throughout South Florida, Pinellas and Escambia counties.   Participants created an original work of art depicting the oil spill’s impact on marine life in the Gulf.  The response to the contest was overwhelming, as hundreds of students of all ages and abilities submitted designs that reflected their desire to protect marine life and promote ocean conservation.

On Friday, June 10^th, Guy Harvey will unveil hundreds of pieces of creative artwork that were submitted to the contest as part of the grand opening of the “Save Our Gulf” exhibition at the IGFA (International Game Fish Association) Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum. The exhibit is scheduled to be on display throughout the summer.

The unveiling ceremony is scheduled from 3:30 – 5:30PM at the IGFA Hall of Fame & Museum, located at 300 Gulfstream Way, in Dania Beach, FL. Following the ceremony, Guy will be making an appearance at the Bass Pro Shops location next door to the IGFA Hall of Fame & Museum. That event is slated to last from 6:00 – 8:00PM.

GHOF Mentioned in the Miami Herald

Earlier in the week, I posted an item about representatives from the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation attending last week’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission public workshop on shark conservation, which was held at the IGFA Hall of Fame. Susan Cocking, Outdoors writer for the Miami Herald, was also in attendance and she wrote a great article in the Herald detailing the concerns – and recommendations – of the many individuals and organizations that spoke out in favor of greater measures for shark conservation. GHOF President Steve Stock spoke at the meeting and is mentioned in Susan’s article:

“Tighter management measures for sharks sought”
06.27.09.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is being urged to have tighter management rules to ensure a healthy shark population.

BY SUSAN COCKING

Several dozen recreational divers and anglers, shark scientists and
conservationists urged the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Tuesday to adopt stronger shark rules than recommended by an interstate management panel.

Click here for the full article….

Cheers!

GHOF Lends Voice to Shark Fisheries Management Forum

The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation was in attendance at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame for a public workshop about shark fisheries management in the state of Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was hosting a forum to discuss the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission management plan for recreational and commercial shark regulations.

GHOF President Steve Stock addressed the FWC in support of adding several species to the prohibited capture list (including lemon, tiger and hammerhead sharks), establishing new minimum/maximum size limits and creating time/area closures. These measures proposed by the GHOF were very well received by those in attendance, including several commercial fishermen. 

A tiger shark passes in front of my camera during a recent GHOF scientific expedition at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas.

The FWC will hold two more meetings around Florida before establishing new shark fisheries guidelines. The GHOF is currently funding an on-going study of tiger shark populations in the Caribbean and we will continue to make recommendations to the FWC based on the research findings. The GHOF thanks everyone for their continued support.

Cheers!