Artist, Guy Harvey supports Circle Hook Symposium in Miami

by John Bell on 19 Apr 2011 Celebrated marine artist, scientist and conservationist Guy Harvey has offered his artistic talent and foundation sponsorship funding in support of the upcoming Circle Hook Symposium scheduled for May 4-6 in Miami.

The symposium, hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is an international gathering of scientists, resource managers and constituents convening to discuss the performance and use of circle hooks in commercial, recreational and artisanal fisheries.

Designed as an exchange of information through both oral and poster presentations, the symposium will also review abstracts on circle hooks and scientific papers on related studies.

The internationally regarded Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) and Guy Harvey Research Institute of Nova Southeastern University are among several primary sponsors of the symposium, which include the U.S. Marine Fisheries Service, International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, University of Miami, World Wildlife Fund, and others.

For more information on the Circle Hook Symposium, scheduled to be held at the Westin Colonnade in Coral Gables, go to www.circlehooksymposium.org.

While it is legal to use a J-hook to fish for sharks, experts such as Dr. Harvey recommend using a circle hook, where the barb points inward and not outward.

Dr. Harvey recently joined the growing ranks of individuals and organizations calling for strict regulations to ban the commercial fishing of all sharks in The Bahamas.
Scientists with the International Union for Conservation of Nature have estimated that 30 percent of shark and ray species around the world are threatened or near threatened with extinction. The loss of these animals could cause irreversible damage to the ocean’s ecosystem and result in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in the tourist trade.

Laishley State Park in Punta Gorda, Florida is hosting the 2011 'Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge Tournament' on May 13-15th, which has become a model for the next-generation of shark catch and release tournaments with the mandatory use of circle hooks. Scientists from Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota will be on the water working with the Tournament fishermen, tagging qualifying sharks and assisting with the release.

About Guy Harvey
Guy Harvey is a world-renowned as a painter, underwater photographer, diver and marine biologist. Harvey, with permission from the Ernest Hemmingway family, made a name for himself by debuting two sets of pen and ink drawings, including a collection titled Santiago's Finest Hour, inspired by the author’s book, The Old Man & the Sea. Since then, Harvey expanded beyond pen and ink to develop an artistic style of painting and photography that captivates fish and ocean lovers. He is a member of the prestigious Society of Animal Artists.

Guy’s books are collectors’ items, including his new 'Panama Paradise' book featuring pictures and illustrations of the world famous Tropic Star Lodge in Panama. Among his many other accomplishments, Harvey’s Portraits from the Deep book was made into a television fishing series currently airing on Fox Florida TV Network. The series received a Telly Award.

Much of Harvey’s distinguished work is on a grand scale, having created full-wall murals at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman. Harvey is the recipient Panama’s highest recognition, The Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Grand Cross and Silver Star, presented to those who make a positive impact in preserving Panama’s ocean resources. Solomon Shamah, Panama’s Minister of Tourism, presented the medal to Dr. Harvey.

More at www.guyharvey.com