NSU President George L. Hanbury II joined marine artist and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey, NSU scientists, and conservation supporters for a “fishing of a lifetime” trip at the Tropic Star Lodge in Pinas Bay, Panama.
From August 26-31, 2019, Tropic Star hosted a unique trip in the waters off Panama for donors who have committed to become founding guardians of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape (ETPS). These donors generously support research and help protect this environmentally sensitive region, which encompasses the waters and offshore islands belonging to Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, including the Galapagos and Cocos Island. The region is known for its fish biodiversity and fisheries productivity, but also is subject to illegal and unregulated fishing.
“As an avid fisherman and conservationist, I am proud to be a founding guardian and support this impactful project. This project will catapult NSU research to international status with the ability to effect world-wide policy change regarding marine species.”, says Bill Gallo, Chair NSU Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography Dean’s Development Council.
Here at NSU, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, and the Tropic Star Lodge are partners in sponsoring a long-term research program conducted by NSU’s Guy Harvey Research Institute. This research is centered on studying the ecology and migratory patterns of major game fishes and sharks in the waters surrounding the Tropic Star Lodge.
One of the major components of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape project is the use of satellite telemetry. This involves carefully attaching “sat tags” to various fish as a way to track their movements in near real-time. The tags “ping” to a satellite, showing the movement of specific fish, including when the fish is caught/harvested.
Donors fished with Dr. Guy Harvey and attended a VIP reception with Harvey and Hanbury at Tropic Star Lodge. They also received limited edition artwork and a limited edition coffee table book, Panama Paradise, all hand signed and numbered by Dr. Guy Harvey.
To learn more about this program and how you can support it, please contact NSU Senior Development Director, Alissa Hechter at ah833@nova.edu, or (954) 262-2408.