Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) President and CEO Dr. George L. Hanbury II was the recipient of the 2019 Guy Harvey Conservation Award, presented annually to researchers, anglers, divers and conservationists that have demonstrated a lifetime of appreciation for the world’s natural resources and have worked to instill that appreciation in the next generation. The award was presented during the 11th Annual Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) Banquet to benefit ocean conservation.
Integral in establishing the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center and the Guy Harvey Endowed Scholarship at NSU, Dr. Hanbury also worked to launch the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape Research Program, a partnership between the GHOF, NSU and Tropic Star Lodge, to study the ecology and movement patterns of major game fishes and sharks in the region that encompasses the Pacific Ocean near Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador.
“Our first college at Nova Southeastern University was oceanography. Studying the migration of fish and the effects of climate change on coral and sea level rise is becoming far more prominent today and I think people are beginning to realize that something needs to be done,” said Dr. Hanbury. “We must recognize that the environment is not just to perpetuate a species of animals. Saving the environment and studying marine life not only saves the animals, but that can also save human life. If we don’t conserve what we have, we will wake up one day and wonder, where did it all go?”
During the banquet, Dr. Guy Harvey also recognized Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D., director of the GHRI and professor at NSU’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, for his passion, commitment and outstanding research. The acknowledgement comes during the 20th anniversary of GHRI.
Funds raised from the banquet benefit the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which 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.
“This year’s banquet was particularly important for me as we honored our invaluable research and conservation partners, Nova Southeastern University’s Guy Harvey Research Institute and Dr. Hanbury,” said Dr. Harvey, the world-renowned artist, scientist, conservationist and entrepreneur. “We will always be thankful to them for their support and partnership through the years, allowing us to further understand and protect our oceans through science, as well as helping us foster the next generation of marine scientists and conservationists.”
The banquet was sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line and hosted by Dr. Harvey. In addition to a pre-dinner cocktail reception, dinner, awards presentation, a silent and live auction and a live performance by Dueling Pianos, guests were also treated to a video tribute to Dr. Hanbury and his contributions to ocean conservation and a retrospective on 20 years of research, programs and successes at the GHRI.
For more information on Guy Harvey and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, visit www.guyharvey.com.
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.
