World premiere of whale shark documentary at Georgia aquarium

by John Bell on 24 Aug 2013 Marine scientist, artist and conservationist Guy Harvey will present his latest documentary, 'Whale Sharks in the Yucatan: A Guy Harvey Expedition,' at Georgia Aquarium on Friday, Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

The premiere is scheduled to help commemorate the Aquarium’s observance of international Whale Shark Day. Dr. Harvey will introduce the film and lead a Q&A session following its presentation as part of the Georgia Aquarium’s Science on Tap lecture series.

The film highlights Dr. Guy Harvey’s scientific encounters with whale sharks off Isla Mujeres during their spectacular, annual feeding aggregation. George Schellenger, a two-time Emmy winning producer, will also co-host the lecture alongside Dr. Guy Harvey and Dr. Al Dove, director of research and conservation at Georgia Aquarium.

The footage from Dr. Guy Harvey’s documentary closely relates to both the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation’s and Georgia Aquarium’s conservation mission. Over the years, the Aquarium has focused its research on the migration and feeding behaviors of whale sharks in the Yucatan through the use of satellite and tags. Research has shown the Yucatan is a significant place for hundreds of whale sharks to gather and feed on plankton and fish eggs. Recently, the Aquarium has placed more effort on the aerial survey to view the gathering of whale sharks relative to geographic features and distribution.

Whale Sharks of the Yucatán from George Schellenger on Vimeo.

In addition to the lecture, Georgia Aquarium is also giving away exclusive 4R (Rescue, Rehabilitation, Research and Responsibility) reusable shopping bags to the first 200 guests on Friday morning. The Whale Shark Weekend celebration will continue on Saturday, Aug. 31, where guests will see the stretchers that brought the Aquarium’s whale sharks from Taiwan to Atlanta as well as learn about their eating habits.

For more information regarding Whale Shark Weekend or Georgia Aquarium’s conservation efforts, visit Georgia Aquarium website or call 404-581-4000.

The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation is a leader in international efforts to protect our oceans and marine environments. The GHOF advocates for sustainable fishing practices, funds inspired scientific research and supports innovative educational programs. Our principle objective is to help ensure that future generations will enjoy and benefit from a naturally balanced ocean ecosystem where fish and other marine wildlife flourish. GHOF has led or assisted include the establishment of a shark sanctuary in Bahamian federal waters, the addition of five species of sharks to Florida’s protected list and the enactment of the U.S. Billfish Conservation Act. In the fall of 2012, the GHOF led a petition drive in support of the National Conservation Law in the Cayman Islands. The GHOF also assisted the launch of the first catch-and-release fishing tournament in Venezuela.