Marine Artist and Conservationist Guy Harvey hosts South Florida premiere of an international documentary on sharks at The Museum of Art|Fort Lauderdale

Proceeds to fund shark research at Nova Southeastern University’s Guy Harvey Research Institute

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE Fla. — Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Oceanographic Center in conjunction with the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, presents the Fort Lauderdale premiere of This is Your Ocean: Sharks at The Museum of Art |Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.

Guy Harvey, the Cayman Island-based marine artist and conservationist

A public showing will be held the following night at Nova Southeastern University’s Miniaci Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 6:30pm. All proceeds will benefit the Guy Harvey Research Institute at NSU’s Oceanographic Center.

“The ban on commercial shark fishing and exportation of shark by-products is a huge step in the conservation of sharks worldwide,” says Guy Harvey, the Cayman Island-based marine artist and conservationist.  “Healthy oceans are essential for life on our planet. It is our collective responsibility to conserve the marine environment and maintain the biodiversity of our oceans.”

This documentary reveals up close the misconceptions and myths surrounding these misunderstood predators of the sea and promotes global shark conservation. Millions of sharks are killed each year in the illegal shark-fin trade to satisfy the global appetite for shark-fin soup.

The film features Harvey, who is one of the world’s leading marine conservationists. He is joined by Jim Abernethy, a shark expert and diver  and the film’s executive producer, George Schellenger for a question and answer session following the film.

This is Your Ocean: Sharks is a prologue to the Museum of Art|Fort Lauderdale’s  exhibition SHARK!,  a multimedia spectacular beginning on May 13, 2012 that will focus on the ocean’s top predators as illustrated by marine artists Guy Harvey, John Singleton Copley, Damien Hirst, and many other artists.

Read more about This is Your Ocean: Sharks at http://www.thisisyourocean.com/thefilm.html ,and watch the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPdZVnkoMCM.

The Wednesday, Oct. 19, invitation-only film screening is $25 per person.  The Thursday, Oct. 20, public screening is $10 for the general public and free for NSU students, faculty, and staff. Seating is limited, so attendees need to pick up their tickets at the Don Taft University Center box office. For more information, please contact Lynn LaRose, kl698@nsu.nova.edu or 954-262-2116.

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About Guy Harvey: A passion for the beauty and wonder of the underwater world has driven Dr. Guy Harvey to be a leading conservationist and advocate for the protection of our environment. Harvey dedicates much of his talent, time and resources to programs that protect our oceans, fish population and reef systems. The Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University and The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation have taken on a leadership role in providing the scientific information necessary to understand and protect the world’s fish resources and biodiversity from continued decline.

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.

About NSU’s Oceanographic Center: A world leader in marine biological research with focus on coral reef science and shark conservation, Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Center has been at the forefront of graduate and undergraduate marine science education and oceanographic research for over 48 years. Students, scientists, faculty and staff come to the Center from all corners of the globe, with the common goal of learning from the ocean’s living classrooms — in one of the most diverse ecosystems known to man.

About the The Museum of Art|Fort Lauderdale: The Museum of Art I Fort Lauderdale, located at One East Las Olas Boulevard at Andrews Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale, is South Florida’s premiere destination for impressive temporary exhibitions as well as for distinguished permanent collections, including the estate of artist William Glackens, an extensive collection of CoBrA art, and significant holdings of Picasso ceramics.  The Museum is home to the AutoNation Academy of Art & Design, Books & Books and the Museum Café. Hours: open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11am-6 pm with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 pm. Sundays 12-5pm. Closed Mondays. Regular admission (not including special ticketed events) is $10 for adults; $7 for seniors and military; $5 for students ages 6-17; no charge for children 5 & under and college faculty/staff/students with current college IDs. The Museum is a division of Nova Southeastern University. For more information, call 954-262-0221 or visit www.moafl.org.

Media Contacts:
Ken Ma, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5408 (office), 954-830-4177 (cell), ken.ma@nova.edu