Dr. Robert Ballard, renowned ocean explorer, congratulates Finalists of Florida’s Premier Ocean Conservation Event: 11th Annual Go Blue Awards. One finalist is none other than the SEVENSEAS Media Executive Director, Giacomo Abrusci.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s Board Chair and Co-Founder of the Go Blue Awards, Lynne L. Wells, praised the conservation efforts of all nominees and finalists: “We are very grateful to work in partnership with Dr. Robert Ballard and our prestigious independent panel of judges to recognize the tremendous accomplishments of this year’s Go Blue Awards finalists. The accomplishments these individuals have achieved to protect our beautiful blue planet are exhilarating! Dr. Ballard’s lifelong commitment to innovation, exploration, and discovery is perfectly aligned with LMC’s strategic vision to expand upon our innovation in sea turtle rehabilitation and ocean conservation; Dr. Ballard’s involvement in our awards luncheon is a wonderful pairing.”
Hosted by LMC, the Annual Go Blue Awards Luncheon recognizes and awards four individuals and one business or nonprofit that promote, implement, or contribute to a “blue” lifestyle of marine conservation and make significant contributions to improve and protect our oceans, beaches and wildlife. The Presenting Sponsor of the Eleventh Annual Go Blue Awards Luncheon is Manatee Lagoon an FPL Eco-Discovery Center. LMC’s Go Blue Awards Luncheon is recognized as Florida’s premier ocean conservation awards event and is judged by an independent panel of globally-renowned conservation experts.
The Blue Ambassador of the Year Award recognizes a person who has made significant contributions in marine conservation through volunteer related activities. Finalists are: Giacomo Abrusci – Founder of SEVENSEAS Media. Lisa Miceli-Capano – Founder of SOS Ocean Conservation Day. Stephen Schwartz – Loggerhead Marinelife Center Volunteer
Giacomo Abrusci is a conservation biologist having worked in marine conservation for over fifteen years. He focuses on conservation media, wildlife biology, and anthropogenic impact. He comes from a diverse communications background and is a well connected member of the conservation and tourism community. He has worked in marine biodiversity conservation with Conservation International, in scientific publishing and education at the American Chemical Society, and global communications at the International Union for Conservation of Nature. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SEVENSEAS Media which focuses on ocean conservation and sustainable tourism. His mission is to connect individuals and resources inside and out of the conservation community to further the shared goal of preventing habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. When not running SEVENSEAS Media, Giacomo can often be found in a swimsuit leading beach cleanups in Southern Thailand.
Comprised of elite ocean conservationists, the Annual Go Blue Awards Luncheon’s independent panel of judges include esteemed National Geographic explorers, discoverers and innovators: Dr. Gary & Brenda Adkison – U.S. Shark Foundation, Director; Jeff Corwin – Biologist and wildlife conservationist, known for hosting Disney Channel’s Going Wild with Jeff Corwin, The Jeff Corwin Experience on Animal Planet, and ABC’s Ocean Treks; Fabien Cousteau – Aquanaut, oceanographic explorer, conservationist, and documentary filmmaker; Glenn Glazer – Meteorologist; Greg Marshall – Marine biologist, filmmaker, and inventor of Crittercam; Cristina Mittermeier – Contributing Photographer, Speaker, and Explorer for National Geographic; Sally Murray – Daughter of LMC Founder, Eleanor Fletcher; Susan Murray – Oceana Deputy Vice President U.S. Pacific, Granddaughter of LMC Founder, Eleanor Fletcher; Paul Nicklen – Acclaimed National Geographic Photographer, Biologist and Conservationist; Joel Sartore – Photo Ark Founder, photographer, speaker, author, teacher, and a 20-year contributor to National Geographic magazine; Jim Toomey – Former Mission Blue Executive Director, Creator of Sherman’s Lagoon Comic Strip; and Dr. Edith Widder – Researcher and Founder of the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA).
The Go Blue Awards was created to recognize individuals and businesses that directly or indirectly support Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s mission to promote conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. To purchase tickets to the Eleventh Annual Go Blue Awards Luncheon, or to learn more about sponsoring the luncheon, visit www.marinelife.org/goblue.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) is a nonprofit sea turtle research, rehabilitation and educational institution that promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The Center features an on-site hospital, research laboratory, educational exhibits and aquariums, and also operates the Juno Beach Pier, which hosts world-class angling and sightseeing. Situated on one of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting beaches, Loggerhead Marinelife Center is open daily and hosts over 350,000 guests free-of-charge each year. The Center’s conservation team works with 90 local and international organizations across six continents to form partnerships and share conservation initiatives and best practices that are core to its mission of ocean conservation. The Center is expanding and has launched its Waves of Progress capital expansion campaign, designed to accelerate and amplify LMC’s conservation and education impact. When complete, the facility will offer one of the world’s most advanced and unique experiences for guests and scientific partners. For more information, visit www.marinelife.org or call (561) 627-8280.