Recently the Aquarium launched the Live Blue Initiative, an online tool that allows people from all over the world to share their commitment to protect the blue planet. The divers are sharing their own live blue profiles describing how they care for the oceans. Here's a look at Senior Aquarist/Expedition Leader Sherrie Floyd's Live Blue profile.



Sherrie Floyd
Senior Aquarist/Expedition Leader

Complete the Sentence:
I am passionate about all things aquatic. Working at the New England Aquarium has allowed me to take my love for the ocean to a whole new level. Every day I care for hundreds of marine animals including sharks, sea turtles, moray eels and stingrays. I couldn't look them in the eye, if I didn’t live blue!

Why do you care about the environment?
I care about the environment because it is what sustains all of us as well as the animals I love so much.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
Two words: scuba diving! In addition to diving in the Aquarium’s Giant Ocean Tank, I lead Bahamas collecting expeditions every year. Can't do that without the ocean!

What are some things you do in your life to live blue and protect the environment?
I take great pride in our Bahamas collecting expeditions, as we use only the most conservative collecting practices. Our techniques are gentle on the fish we collect, as well as the habitat in which they live. We carefully choose fish that acclimate well to our exhibits and that showcase the diversity and beauty of a Bahamian coral reef. Not only do these trips provide us with a unique opportunity to teach individuals how to collect aquatics without impacting critical habitat, but they also allow us a receptive audience for marine conservation education.

Other ways I live blue are low energy bulbs, recycling, phasing out plastics, and making sustainable food choices. And last but not least, in an effort to help educate my friends and family, I had a "Live Blue" party!

Read more here and follow this link to see Sherrie's plot of ocean in the Phoenix Islands.

Labels: GiantOceanTank, live blue, live blue profile, SCUBA, Sherrie

Recently the Aquarium launched the Live Blue Initiative, an online tool that allows people from all over the world to share their commitment to protect the blue planet. The divers are sharing their own live blue profiles describing how they care for the oceans. Here's a look at Dive Safety Officer John Hanzl's Live Blue profile.



John Hanzl
Dive Safety Officer

Complete the Sentence:
I live blue because the ocean is both my passion and my second home.

Why do you care about the environment?
The question really should be "How can you NOT care about the environment." It is what makes life possible. Without it our planet is nothing but an airless, lifeless hunk of rock.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
My love of nature in general, and of the aquatic world in specific, is what led me to make a drastic change in careers many years ago. I transitioned from career in electrical engineering to being a diver for the New England Aquarium and is a decision I've been grateful for ever since.

Read more here and follow this link to see John's plot of ocean in the Phoenix Islands.

Labels: conservation, GiantOceanTank, John Hanzl, live blue, live blue profile