Guy Harvey Brings Awareness to Florida Reefs
OutdoorHub 05.08.14
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Coral Reef Conservation Program in partnership with the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) premiered a series of six 30-second public service announcements (PSAs) today focusing on southeast Florida coral reefs and the Our Florida Reefs Community Planning Process. Among the diverse group of talent featured in the PSAs was world renowned marine life artist Guy Harvey, as well as local celebrities and reef users.
“I am thrilled to support the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s ‘Our Florida Reefs’ campaign,” says Guy Harvey. “Coral reefs are crucial to the South Florida environment and economy. It is important that the public understands the issues facing the reefs and what can be done to protect them”
Like Guy Harvey, the spokespeople in the videos use their own words to say why southeast Florida’s coral reefs are important to them personally. Segments feature a local dive shop owner from Singer Island, a professional kite boarder and marine biologist from Palm Beach, a school teacher from Miami who enjoys seafood, a father and son who love fishing from local piers, and a local charter fishing legend, Bouncer Smith, from Miami’s South Beach. Local radio personality, Wanda Myles, also made a cameo in two mash up PSAs, lending her voice to the effort. Two of the spokesperson PSAs are featured in Spanish and English.
Before closing the endorsements, the spokespeople encourage viewers to visit the OurFloridaReefs.org website to engage in the planning process. The process brings together the community of local residents, reef users, business owners, visitors and the broader public in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties to discuss the future of coral reefs in this region.
“The SEFCRI project team and production team did an excellent job with these PSAs. It was an added bonus to have Guy Harvey step in to lend his voice to the project and we are grateful for the five others who volunteered their time to participate. It was a great project with a stellar outcome and we look forward to seeing them aired on local stations throughout southeast Florida over the coming year,” said Jamie Monty, manager of the Department’s Coral Reef Conservation Program.
The PSAs begin airing today and will run on various stations throughout southeast Florida over the next year.
Visit OurFloridaReefs.org to view the PSAs and for information about the community planning process for southeast Florida’s coral reefs.
