The Bite

Exploring the Ocean Through Virtual Reality

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to scuba dive with sharks? While many of us might not get this opportunity firsthand, the up-and-coming technology of virtual reality can allow us to have this experience from the safety of our own homes. Virtual reality is a simulation experience made possible through filming with multiple virtual reality cameras that capture a full 360-degree view. For several years, GHOF Executive Producer George C. Schellenger has been using VR cameras in the field to deliver an upclose and personal experience. He has deployed cameras at the Nassau Grouper Spawning Aggregations (SPAG sites) in Little Cayman, in the Florida Everglades on an airboat, and on the shallow sandbars at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas. To “dive” into these adventures, all you have to do is put on a VR headset, such as the Oculus Go, and you are able to go on a 360-degree voyage with our GHOF team.

One potential and exciting application for VR is for education. When students put on a VR headset, they have the opportunity to experience what it’s really like in the wild and find out how scientists and filmmakers are doing their work. This goes a long way to inspire an interest in pursuing a career in marine science and, most importantly, a deeper appreciation for the sea and its ecosystem. Through the Guy Harvey STEAM Education Program, students will have access to these videos and be able to participate in virtual field trips exploring oceans and marine life all around the world.

Everglades Foundation

Stretched out over 1.5 million acres in South Florida are the Florida Everglades. When you think of this vast “River of Grass” (so coined by Marjory Stoneman Douglas in her 1947 book), many things might come to mind. You might first think about the gators, bugs, and many other creatures that give it charming swampy appeal. You also could think about the various TV shows set around the wetland, including American Horror Story, Bloodline and, of course, The Glades. But one thing you most likely have not considered about the Everglades is its amazing ability to sequester carbon.

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide found in our atmosphere. The primary Everglades habitats — such as miles of sawgrass marsh, sweeping hardwood hammock and pine forests as well as the mangroves and seagrass beds in Florida Bay — remove carbon from the air through photosynthesis. However, without a healthy ’Glades, this sequestration is stymied. Thankfully, decades of constant work and lobbying by the Everglades Foundation and other organizations has made Everglades restoration a reality, ensuring that fresh water flows south all the way to Florida Bay. It’s imperative to have enough freshwater flow to prevent the Everglades from getting too dry, which would reduce its carbon sequestration magic.

The Florida Everglades Foundation was founded in 1993 by two outdoor enthusiasts — the late George Barley and Paul Tudor Jones II. The organization was created to restore and protect the Florida Everglades, but as the years have passed, it has also become a world-renowned research and educational organization, dedicated to unearthing the facts and conducting practical analysis to help local, state and national leaders make well-informed decisions regarding this celebrated national park. Through its Everglades Literacy Program, the EF also works to educate students in Florida and around the world on the ecological and economic importance of the Everglades.

Guy Harvey’s Underwater World

In May of this year, Guy Harvey will share his signature artwork, knock-out photographs and fascinating stories, in his new book Guy Harvey’s Underwater World. From Alaska to Australia, to the Galápagos and beyond, Guy takes us along on some of his most amazing international fishing experiences. This strikingly beautiful, large-format book showcases Guy Harvey’s around-the-world fishing and diving adventures, drawing from meticulous notes, action photographs and Guy’s signature artwork. Dr. Harvey weaves together fascinating stories, scientific discoveries, and insights into the behavior of dozens of gamefish species in order to give us an up-close picture of his time on and in the water. Chapters highlight expeditions to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Belize, Cuba, the Caymans, Bermuda, the Yucatan and Mexico, Canada, Alaska, Costa Rica, Australia and the Galápagos. Through this book, you will be able to live vicariously through international fishing experiences of a lifetime and perhaps get inspired to plan your own marine adventure. Guy has lived the life that anglers dream of, and this book is documentation of that dream. Check out GuyHarvey.com to order Dr. Harvey’s new book.

Port St. Lucie Crosstown Bridge,

which features Guy Harvey tile murals, just won “Highway / Bridge Project of the Year” from Engineering News-Record

Port St. Lucie, a charming coastal town located on the southeastern coast of Florida, debuted their Crosstown Bridge in August 2019. This bridge is like nothing you have ever seen before, both on behalf of its architectural excellence, grandeur and its inclusion of Dr. Guy Harvey’s artwork. This project was spearheaded by administrator George Denti and, while construction only started in 2017, has been more than 40 years in the making. The bridge extends for 2 miles and includes six lanes divided to include accommodations for automobile, bicycle, pedestrian and public transit traffic. This was the largest Local Agency Funded (LAP) project ever completed in Florida, with a budget of $91.5 million. In August 2020, the bridge received the Florida Transportation Builders Association Award for “Best in Construction for a LAP Project” and the Engineering News-Record Southeast’s “Best Highway Bridge Project.” Located on the two towers at each end of the bridge are mosaics created by Guy Harvey. These tiles were created in partnership with Porcelains Unlimited and feature Dr. Harvey’s iconic depictions of marine life. On the top of these towers are sculptures of seagrass and fish made of metal.

Guy Harvey is honored to be a part of this historic project for the city of Port St. Lucie, not only for its importance in the daily lives of Floridians but also because of the work that the city of Port St. Lucie has done to offset environmental damage caused by the building of the bridge. For many years, the city and local environmental groups worked to build this fantastic architectural structure while protecting the fragile ecosystem of their town. To offset the damage, the city of Port St. Lucie donated 110 acres of land to the state to expand the Savannas Preserve State Park, helped St. Lucie County complete a Platt’s Creek restoration project, built a multi-use trail at the Savannas Recreation Area off East Midway Road, improved the Evans Creek canoe launch so that it now supports use by the disabled, and paid to expand the popular and frequently used education center at the Savannas Preserve State Park.

Changing the Current for Environmental Education

Manatees are often referred to as the beloved gentle giants of the sea, and they continue to capture the hearts of children and adults alike. These warm-blooded mammals are classified as a threatened species, facing dangers such as boat strikes, net entanglements and cold stress. Staying warm is why manatees gather near Florida’s natural springs, which have average year-round temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees. For several decades, they’ve also been gathering in the warmwater outflows of Florida’s power plants.

To further educate the public on how to protect and preserve these amazing animals, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) constructed Manatee Lagoon, an environmental education center located next to their Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center. The facility is designed to help the public better understand these gentle giants and their surrounding ecosystem. The plant’s warm-water outflow is a safe haven for manatees to survive the cooling waters during winter months, and the center’s observation deck allows visitors the opportunity to see them up close.

Efforts like this are an important part of what makes FPL so much more than just an energy company. Through its wide variety of collaborative partnerships with leading environmental organizations, FPL fosters a culture of environmental excellence, supporting the protection of wildlife and preservation of our ecosystems. With this in mind, FPL is pleased to announce it has entered into a special corporate partnership to support the new and exciting educational initiatives now being launched by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation for Florida teachers, students and families. This unique educational platform has been designed to help our communities learn about Florida’s wildlife and how we can all help preserve it for future generations. FPL’s investments in cutting-edge technology, clean energy and communities mirrors the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation’s philosophy to help make a difference and move Florida toward a more sustainable future.

Solar Trees

For more information on FPL’s environmental commitment, please visit FPL.com/ environment. To learn about Manatee Lagoon’s virtual learning resources, please visit VisitManateeLagoon.com/virtual-learning.

A 100% Green Electric Catamaran

Leave it to the French — land of Jacques Cousteau, who invented the self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) — to create a fl ying boat. Well, sort of. Th e socalled “Overboat” is an electric-powered catamaran that almost magically rises above the waves on four hydrofoils, thus creating a carbon-free ride that is so smooth, you won’t even spill your drink.

Th is ecological, noiseless and light (only 50 pounds) foil boat is the result of three years of research by Vincent Dufour, oceanographer, entrepreneur and navigator. Th e electronically controlled foils automatically stabilize the boat, taking away the obstacle of human error. In order to run in shallow water or beach, Dufour designed the foils to be retractable. Powered by a 4.5 kW electric engine, the little cat boat can reach a top speed of 15 knots. At a cruising speed (12 knots), the batteries will last up to two hours.

Th e Overboat will debut along the French Riviera during the summer of 2021 and cost about $30,000.

For more information, visit NeOcean.com.

Partnering to enhance the environment

We are committed to being a leader in environmental protection and stewardship. Collaborating with our partners on conservation opportunities unique to Florida and its diverse ecosystems.

#FPLCares

SHOPPING GUIDE

Visit GuyHarvey.com for the full range of Guy Harvey apparel, artwork, gifts and more.

1. Cornhole Board

Get your party started with these Guy Harvey premium cornhole boards. These boards are perfect for tailgates, parties or fun at the beach. Each are quality handmade right here in the USA using cabinet-grade plywood, fi nishgrade two-by-fours and a lot of labor to make a board that your friends will envy. $199.99

2. Metal Straws

Most plastic straws are not recycled and end up in landfi lls or the ocean. It takes about 200 years for plastic straws to biodegrade. Just one sustainable Guy Harvey S.T.E.E.L. Straw can save thousands of plastic straws from polluting our environment. Receive 1 Silver Guy Harvey 8.5À Smoothie Straw, 1 Silver Guy Harvey 10.5À Bent Straw, 1 Straw Cleaner and 1 Guy Harvey Printed Bag in this “Old Man” set. $18 3. Guy Harvey Bamboo Men’s Dress Socks Men’s Dress Socks

Made using natural bamboo fi bers to reduce odor, increase comfort to reduce odor, increase comfort and regulate temperature. divvyupsocks.com/ ghbamboomarlinstripes $16/pair

4. Guy Harvey Mahi Dog Bed

Your dog will love this beautiful pillow-top bed, and it will certainly brighten up any room. Printed with 100% biodegradable water-based inks and made from eco-friendly rPet material: • Fabric made from eco-friendly rPet — at least 12 bottles in each bed • Fiberfi ll made from eco-friendly rPet fi ber with a minimum of 75 bottles per bed Made in America. Small/Med – 34” x 26”, $119 Large/XL – 42” x 34”, $139

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Tote Bag

Premium quality heavyweight cotton canvas. Due to the nature of the material used, nature of the material used, each canvas handbag is oneeach canvas handbag is oneof-a-kind. This shoulder tote of-a-kind. This shoulder tote measures 21-by-6.5-by-15inches with a zipper top and inches with a zipper top and hanging wood charm. $41.25

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