Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation nets $200,000 for Research and Education

by John Bell on 5 Nov 2014 A sold out 'Save Our Seas' themed fundraiser held at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Saturday, November 1st was a memorable night for marine wildlife artist and scientist Dr. Guy Harvey, whose foundation generated over $200,000 in revenue to fund leading-edge marine science, conservation and education. The title sponsor for the evening with a $10,000 gift was the Chevy Florida Insider Fishing Report hosted by Captain Rick Murphy.

In a keynote announcement at the banquet George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., president and CEO of Nova Southeastern University told attendees that as a result of a very generous financial gift from Guy Harvey, the school’s state-of-the-art Oceanographic Center was adding Dr. Harvey’s name to the building located in Hollywood, Florida, across from Port Everglades. Opened just over two years ago, it has become one of the most recognizable buildings in South Florida.

'I am extremely pleased to have my name associated with the Center and to further my relationship with the university,' said Dr. Harvey. 'The cutting edge research work being conducted by the Guy Harvey Research Institute at the Oceanographic Center is something I am very proud of and hopefully the additional funds from this arrangement will help ensure the continued growth of the research and educational work ongoing at the Center.'

Steve Stock, president of Guy Harvey Inc. and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF), said that in past 12 months GHOF provided grants to over 60 organizations or individuals totaling approximately $1 million.

'That figure included $750,000 to research and education programs, over $40,000 in scholarships and $200,000 in sponsorships and for outreach programs to include youth fishing and military veteran programs,' said Stock.

Also announced the banquet was the establishment of the Guy Harvey Endowment for the Oceans, to be housed by the Community Foundation of Broward.

'This endowment codifies Guy Harvey’s legacy of giving and support for marine science, research and education and should insure that his legacy will live on through the Foundation,' Stock added. 'Our Board of Directors has selected the Community Foundation of Broward to manage and to create more awareness for it.'

Among the 250-plus attendees at the banquet was a list of luminaries in the marine, fishing, diving and cruise industries, including renowned sculptor Kent Ullberg, IGFA Hall of Famer Stu Apte, former FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto and NSU President George Hanbury. Also in attendance were former Miami Dolphin standouts John Offerdahl and Channing Crowder.

Guy Harvey is a marine wildlife artist and conservationist who earned a Ph.D. in Fisheries Biology. His depictions of marine life, especially of sportfish such as marlin, are very popular with sport fishermen and have been reproduced in prints, posters, t-shirts, jewelry, clothing, and other consumer items. Harvey is also a very vocal and active advocate for marine conservation, having established the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University of Fort Lauderdale, Florida as well as the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, an organization that funds marine conservation research and educational initiatives.