New 4ocean whale shark-themed bracelet and specially designed t-shirt to benefit ocean conservation
During the time of year when sharks are in the spotlight, particularly during the week in July that’s named for them, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) is launching a month-long activation focused on whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean.
As part of the activation, Guy Harvey Inc. and 4ocean have partnered to create a unisex, waterproof whale shark bracelet, with a stainless steel charm, that is made from post-consumer recycled plastic and glass and will benefit whale shark tagging and tracking studies conducted by the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University. The bracelets are available online for $20 at guyharvey.com/4Oceans-collection.html, https://4ocean.com/whale-shark-bracelet/ and in select retail outlets. With every purchase, 4ocean promises to remove one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines.
“The Guy Harvey Research Institute is on the cutting-edge of whale shark science with their tagging and tracking program. Being a part of that mission to better understand whale sharks is really special for 4ocean,” said 4ocean marketing manager, Ryan Dick. “The behavior and movement of these giant fish are largely unknown and finding out where they go during their lives is paramount in being able to protect the species.”
Guy Harvey-designed, commemorative whale shark shirts are also available online at GuyHarvey.com throughout July, while supplies last.
Then on July 5, a group of scientists led by the GHOF will embark on a five-day expedition to Isla Mujeres in Mexico to tag whale sharks. The tags allow scientists to study migration patterns of these amazing creatures and help effectively monitor and manage their population. Lucho, Milo and Rio Lady, three whale sharks that were tagged last year, are currently swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and are reporting data. All tagged species can be followed in real time at Nova Southeastern University’s Guy Harvey Research Institute shark tracking website http://www.ghritracking.org/.
“Whale sharks are the target of illegal commercial fisheries and currently on the list of endangered species,” said Dr. Guy Harvey, world-renowned artist, scientist and conservationist. “Through this integrated initiative in July, and with the help of valued partners like 4ocean, we can continue to bring awareness of the vulnerability of whale sharks and all of the creatures in the sea, while at the same time raising funds to support vital scientific research and to implement educational programs in order to conserve our ocean ecosystem.”
Whale sharks have a lifespan of up to 130 years in the wild, but are illegally killed for their fins, skins and oils. In 2016, the whale shark was downgraded from vulnerable to endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, which classifies species into categories ranging from least concern to extinct.
A new Guy Harvey documentary chronicling whale sharks is now available on Amazon.com. “This is Their Ocean: Sea of Life,” hosted by Dr. Harvey’s daughter Jessica, follows the thrilling adventures of two students as they swim with whale sharks off the coast of Mexico.
In addition to the whale shark bracelet and whale shark shirts, a portion of proceeds from all Guy Harvey apparel, including short sleeve, long sleeve and performance shirts, shorts, button-down shirts, shoes, merchandise and accessories benefit the non-profit GHOF, which funds and conducts scientific research and tagging expeditions and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment.
Visit www.guyharvey.com. Follow Guy Harvey on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DrGuyHarvey or Twitter and Instagram at @DrGuyHarvey. For more information on the GHOF, visit 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 honors 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, traveling 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, connect on Instagram at www.instagram.com/drguyharvey, on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/DrGuyHarvey, Snapchat @RealDrGuyHarvey, and tune in to see Guy’s latest expeditions on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/DrGuyHarvey.
About the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving 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. For more information, visit www.ghof.org.
About NSU’s Guy Harvey Research Institute:
Established in 1999, the Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI) is a collaboration between the renowned marine artist, scientist and explorer, Dr. Guy Harvey, and Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Center. The mission of the GHRI is to provide the scientific information necessary to understand, conserve, and effectively manage the world’s marine fishes and their ecosystems. The GHRI is one of only a handful of private organizations dedicated exclusively to the science-based conservation of marine fish populations and biodiversity. The research, education and outreach activities of the GHRI are supported by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, AFTCO Inc., extramural research grants, philanthropic donations by private businesses and individuals, and NSU. Please visit nova.edu/ocean/ghri/index.html for more information.
About 4ocean
4ocean is a global company that actively removes trash from the ocean and coastlines, helps create sustainable economies around the world, and inspires individuals to work together for a cleaner ocean. Global cleanup operations are funded entirely through the sale of their products, where every item purchased funds the removal of one pound of trash from the ocean. By creating jobs, utilizing the latest technology, and raising awareness about the impact of plastic and trash in the ocean, the company is building the first economy for ocean plastic and creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for the ocean. For more information, please visit 4ocean.com, follow @4ocean on Instagram, and join 4ocean on Facebook.