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NewEnglandOceanOdyssey.org A journey beneath New England’s waves

Although it is one of the most extraordinary and biologically productive eco- systems in the world, New England’s ocean – deep, dark and cold – remains unknown to most. Now, Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) and renowned photojournalist Brian Skerry will reveal its mysteries in the New England Ocean Odyssey, a first-of-its-kind journey beneath New England’s waves.

The wolffish population is dwindling in xtending from Cod to Nova resources as rapidly as possible is a New England Scotia, the and national imperative. its surrounding waters have been “Coming home to New England E the economic bedrock of New England’s After three decades of exploring the to undertake this project has coastal communities, supporting a wide world’s oceans, Uxbridge, Massachu- special meaning for me. While I variety of commercial and recreational setts resident Brian Skerry will return have dived here all my life, the activities. Unfortunately, many factors to his native New England to conduct a New England Ocean Odyssey is currently threaten the vitality of the Gulf series of dives for CLF, exploring both coastal areas and deep habitats far an opportunity to bring my fel- of Maine ecosystem. Decades of pol- lution of our marine waterways, coastal offshore. Through Skerry’s exclusive low New Englanders along with habitat destruction, overfishing and photographs and first-hand accounts of me and show them that our bottom trawling have wrought havoc in his diving expeditions, the New England ocean is every bit as thrilling the form of extensive habitat loss and Ocean Odyssey will provide a never-be- and surprising and beautiful diminished biodiversity. Growing world- fore-seen view of the amazing riches of as seemingly more exotic locales. wide demand for seafood, coupled with New England’s ocean and bring atten- tion to the very real issues facing it. Over I’m excited to be working with reduced ecosystem productivity, has de- pleted fish populations, threatening the the next five years, the New England CLF to help raise awareness economic vitality of our coastal commu- Ocean Odyssey will explore a half-dozen of both the amazing riches of nities. New uses of our ocean for renew- special places in the Gulf of Maine, New England’s ocean and the able energy, gas pipelines, desalinization including Cashes Ledge, Jeffreys Ledge, very real issues facing it, and to and and gravel mining are further Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanc- advance their efforts to sustain taxing the ocean ecosystem, and global tuary, Jordan Basin, Deep Sea Canyons and Seamounts. it for future generations.” warming is affecting the productivity of our oceans in profound ways that we —Brian Skerry With Skerry as your guide, you will come are only now beginning to understand. to know and appreciate your ocean in Restoring health to these important To follow the journey, visit ways you never imagined. newenglandoceanodyssey.org Meet Brian Skerry

Brian Skerry is praised worldwide for his A contract photographer for National join CLF aesthetic sense as well as his journal- Geographic Magazine since 1998, Skerry Conservation Law Foundation istic drive for relevance. His images has covered a wide range of stories, relies on contributions from tell stories that not only celebrate the from the harp seal’s struggle to sur- its members to do the work mystery and beauty of the sea, but also vive in frozen waters to the alarming of protecting New England’s help bring attention to the large number decrease in the world’s fisheries, both environment: holding polluters of issues that endanger our oceans and cover stories. Other NGM features have accountable for protecting our health and natural resources, their inhabitants. focused on subjects such as the planet’s fighting for environmental poli- last remaining pristine coral reefs, the cies that create jobs and save Unique within the field of underwater plight of the right whale, sharks of the money, helping businesses photography is Skerry’s ability to pursue Bahamas, marine reserves, sea turtles operate responsibly and profit- subjects of great diversity. He typi- and squid. ably, planning for the future. cally spends eight months each year in That’s what we do, where you the field and frequently finds himself in Skerry has also worked on assignment live and across New England. environments of extreme contrast, from for or had images featured in magazines You can help by becoming a tropical coral reefs to beneath polar ice. such as Sports Illustrated, US News member of CLF. While on assignment, he has lived on and World Report, BBC Wildlife, , the bottom of the sea, spent months Smithsonian, Esquire, Audubon, Men’s To become a member aboard fishing boats and traveled in Journal, and in countless publications of CLF today, use the everything from snowmobiles to canoes worldwide. His latest book, a 160-photo Donate button at CLF.org. to the Goodyear Blimp to get the picture. monograph entitled Ocean Soul, was You can also contact: He has spent more than 10,000 hours published in 2011. Devon Parish, [email protected] underwater over the last thirty years.

Conservation Law Foundation’s Ocean Conservation program is a leader in ocean con- servation, working to create sustainable fisheries, protect special places, manage ocean sprawl, and fight ocean pollution. Using innovative approaches backed by science, and legal advocacy, CLF aims to protect ocean ecosystems and help our coastal commu- nities thrive. Founded in 1966, CLF is a non-profit, member-supported organization with offices in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode and Vermont.