MIAMI – The Florida
Department of Environmental Protection and its Southeast Coral Reef
Initiative partners landed the support of a world-renowned diver and
environmental advocate for the “Our Florida Reefs” campaign.
Philippe Cousteau Jr, the grandson of legendary
Jacques Cousteau, recorded a 30-second public service announcement
promoting the importance of Florida’s coral reefs and advocated support
for the "Our Florida Reefs" community planning process.
Cousteau’s PSA begins airing today throughout the southeast Florida media markets and can also be viewed by clicking HERE.
Cousteau’s involvement in the PSA stems from a
recent diving expedition on a coral reef off the coast of Miami. He was
filming a television episode about ocean exploration that is scheduled
to air on the FOX broadcasting network later this fall.
“It was wonderful to see such a healthy and
thriving staghorn reef right offshore of Miami’s developed coastline,”
Cousteau said. “I was very impressed with the dive site, which rivaled
other staghorn reefs I’ve visited. It was a great location to film the
coral reef episode of this series and I was very happy to support the 'Our Florida Reefs' community planning process for southeast Florida coral
reefs by recording a PSA.”
The "Our Florida Reefs" media campaign began in May
and will continue through 2016 to parallel the "Our Florida Reefs"
community planning process. The campaign already features PSAs from
world-renowned marine artist Guy Harvey and NPR radio personality Wanda
Myles, as well as a local captain, fisher, dive-shop owner, school
teacher and professional kite boarder.
Cousteau, whose grandfather and father earned
international acclaim for their roles as environmental advocates, adds
even more star power to the "Our Florida Reefs" campaign.
“We are thrilled to have Philippe Cousteau lend
his voice to the 'Our Florida Reefs' campaign,” said Jamie Monty, DEP
Coral Reef Conservation program manager. “It was also an honor for him
to use a DEP vessel as a platform to visit a thriving staghorn coral
reef with partners from the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative."
"Philippe’s passion for ocean and coral reef
conservation shines through in his PSA and segments of the coral reef
education episode filmed that day. I know students will learn and
enjoy.”
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