Representatives from the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, FORCE BLUE, I.CARE and Mote Marine Laboratories kicked off a two-day diving session with local government officials
Islamorada, Florida Keys – Perfectly aligned with the famous slogan, “The Few, The Proud,” a group of retired Special Operations military veterans and marine scientists have joined forces and are working together in a unique initiative that aims to make a transformational impact in the ongoing journey to save the world’s oceans.
Through a partnership between the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment; FORCE BLUE, which retrains and redeploys Special Operations veterans to work alongside scientists on marine conservation missions; I.CARE, which is dedicated to restoring the reefs of Islamorada; and Mote Marine Laboratory, the veterans along with a Gold Star family member, whose father was killed while serving in the Armed Forces, recently participated in a two-day scientific diving program designed to research and help save the coral reefs in Islamorada, as well as generate awareness and focus attention on the health of coral reefs.
Elected officials and representatives from the Islamorada Village Council and Monroe County welcomed the group prior to their first dive to help save and maintain the coral reefs in the Florida Keys.
The veterans were joined by Katie Palmer, a Gold Star family member whose father was killed while serving in the Armed Forces and Nina Bowen, founder of Team BLU, a Marine Science Club at Key West High School that conducts marine conservation initiatives such as beach cleanups, fundraising projects and seminars.
The training covered coral restoration methodology, coral species identification, and data collection and, during the dives, the team transplanted corals and conducted maintenance and monitoring activities on previously transplanted corals. Among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet, healthy coral reefs have high cultural and economic significance.
According to the world-renowned marine artist and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey, coral reefs make up less than point two percent of our oceans and yet they contain 25% of the world’s marine fish species and are second only to rainforests in diversity. Coral reefs are rapidly disappearing because of pollution and climate change. For instance, only 3% of living coral remains in the Florida Keys.
Leading the team on the dive was Jessica Harvey, daughter of Dr. Guy Harvey, co-chair of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and an environmental conservationist who has been travelling the world working with students.
To help inspire the future generation of ocean ambassadors, visit ghof.org/donate and make a contribution. Donations to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation support life-changing environmental programs as well as additional global education and research initiatives.
About the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation: The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs to conserve the marine environment. The GHOF also funds affiliated researchers working to better understand our ocean ecosystem and educators helping to foster the next era of marine conservationists. The GHOF will help ensure that future generations can enjoy and benefit from a properly balanced ocean ecosystem. www.GHOF.org.
About Guy Harvey: Guy Harvey is a unique blend of artist, scientist, diver, angler, conservationist, and explorer, fiercely devoted to his family and his love of the sea. His childhood passion for the ocean and its living creatures not only inspired him to draw but fueled a burning interest that prompted a formal education in marine science. Having graduated with honours in Marine Biology from Aberdeen University in Scotland in 1977, Guy returned home to Jamaica to resume his education, earning his Ph.D. from the University of the West Indies in 1984. Though he gave up a budding career as a marine biologist for that of a highly acclaimed artist, Guy has continued his relentless pursuit to unravel the mysteries of the sea, travelling the world to better understand the habits and habitats of the marine wildlife he paints. For more information, please visit www.guyharvey.com. Follow Guy on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DrGuyHarvey, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DrGuyHarvey, and tune in to see Guy’s latest expeditions on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/DrGuyHarvey.
About FORCE BLUE: Established in 2016 as a means of addressing two seemingly unrelated problems — the rapidly declining health of our marine resources and the difficulty far too many servicemen and women have in adjusting to civilian life once their service ends — FORCE BLUE is the only 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization in the world that retrains and redeploys former Special Operations veterans and military-trained combat divers to work alongside scientists and environmentalists on marine conservation missions. Harkening back to the days of Jacques Cousteau and the French frogmen he trained, FORCE BLUE has assembled a modern-day cadre of elite military veterans with the aptitude and ability to achieve great things on the conservation front — and the visibility to let the world know about it. Through its composition and commitment, FORCE BLUE is building a model of caring, cooperation and positive change with the power to restore lives and the planet.
About I.CARE: I.CARE is dedicated to restoring the reefs of Islamorada, including the world-famous Alligator Reef. Our mission is to incorporate local businesses, residents and visitors in the restoration and maintenance of our coral reef communities in Islamorada. We have partnered with Mote Marine Laboratory to create the first community-based approach to reef restoration in the middle Florida Keys, with opportunities for community members to get involved with activities including coral transplanting, marine debris clean-ups, and reef monitoring. With participation from Islamorada’s businesses and residents, as well as divers across the country, we will restore our reefs for current and future generations.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media