PRWeb



Chris FischerEXPEDITION LEADERFounding Chairman, OCEARCH ()Member, The Explorers Club7-Time Emmy WinnerBackground: Since 2007, Chris Fischer has led 14 expeditions and covered over 250,000 nautical miles to advance science and unlock the many mysteries surrounding the life history of White Sharks and other giants of the ocean. He has facilitated over $10,000,000 in research, supporting the work of over 50 scientists from over 20 international and regional institutions. This includes, most recently, leading the world’s largest shark research project spanning two expeditions in South Africa.For the first time in history, Fischer and his team have solved the puzzle of a White Shark Aggregation. Obtaining unprecedented data, the team is able to uncover breeding areas, feeding areas, migratory corridors, and birthing sites of the vulnerable apex species. Most of this groundbreaking research has been televised in 178 countries and 29 languages, creating unparalleled awareness of the many important issues surrounding our treasured marine resources. Through OCEARCH (), Fischer and his team work with Heads of State, lawmakers, policymakers and conservation organizations to ensure a robust future for sharks based on the data collected.Fischer and his team pioneered the method for capturing and releasing 4,000-pound Great White Sharks and other large marine species on the 126-foot vessel aptly named OCEARCH. This unique system provides the opportunity for leading science teams to conduct unprecedented research on the oceans’ giants. Fischer and OCEARCH are constantly reviewing and improving their methods and are currently designing new tagging and tracking technology which will deliver more accurate and sustained global data collection than ever before. Fischer was a featured speaker at TEDxSeapoint on March 24, 2012 (). His talk focused on breaking down collaborative barriers for private and public institutions to move forward the body of knowledge for species and ecosystems survival.South Africa is world renowned for Great White Sharks. During March through May of 2012, Fischer led the most ambitious shark research expedition in history. This expedition presented the greatest challenges faced to date – resulting in the most significant successes the team has ever achieved. Filmed by an Emmy-winning team for the new documentary series SHARK WRANGLERS, premiering July 1 on HISTORY, the OCEARCH team captured, tagged and released over forty sharks, - including the largest ever caught and tagged in South Africa. These expeditions included a science team comprised of more than 30 leading South African and international shark researchers from over 16 institutions. In an effort to enhance public safety, OCEARCH’s SPOT tag data is being sent directly from the satellite company to Cape Town's Shark Spotters program.? This allows them to have more data on white shark movements and enhance their ability to protect water users and reduce human/shark conflict. Tracking maps for all sharks tagged on the expedition are available to all stakeholders, including researchers and the public, on the OCEARCH Facebook page. Tracking maps will also be available on the soon to be released Shark tracking application for mobile devices currently in development and on .Chris Fischer BioMore than 10 years ago, Chris Fischer set a course to become the voice of the world’s oceans, to bring the seas into people’s homes, and create awareness and appreciation for marine environments on a global scale. From this foundation, he knew he could help shape public policy to help protect the world’s vast marine resources. A well-known personality in television and conservation circles, Fischer is a lifelong adventurer. Over the past four years, he has led teams of top scientists and anglers on unprecedented research missions for great whites and other sharks, filmed and produced for the National Geographic Channel. From 2002 to 2009, Chris hosted the Emmy Award winning?"Offshore Adventures," a television series?chronicling a life at sea: fishing, free-diving and conservation. Offshore Adventures was America's most-watched outdoor television show of its kind during its 180-episode run on ESPN, winning a total of four Emmys. Fischer created Offshore Adventures to expose people to the world’s oceans and to cultivate appreciation for the beauty and complexity of sea life. Conservation and sustainable fisheries management were the show’s foundation, echoed by Fischer’s now-famous send-off “Go out! Discover the world’s oceans and be a responsible steward of the seas.” As a leading spokesman for responsible fisheries management, Chris joined the board of The Billfish Foundation in 2005, a leading marine conservation organization. Working cooperatively with TBF and other science-based organizations, he has led researchers on various scientific missions, primarily to tag and study billfish. In 2007, the White House contacted Fischer to promote President George W. Bush’s signing of an Executive Order protecting striped bass and red drum populations. President Bush joined the Fischers for an episode of Offshore Adventures, fishing for stripers in the Chesapeake Bay.Fischer was inducted into the prestigious Explorer’s Club in 2009, home to many of his heroes. Chris grew up with a deep appreciation for the environment as a young angler in Kentucky, exploring hidden waters around his hometown of Louisville. This spirit remained with him as he finished college in Singapore and traveled throughout Asia, Africa and Oceania. Following college, Chris made a new home base in southern California. There he bought his first ocean-going vessel, deepening his passion for the sea. Eventually, he sold his house, stored his possessions, and left life on land for an ongoing ocean adventure aboard the 72-foot Elliott yachtfisher, the Go Fisch. Chris, along with his wife Melissa and Captain Brett McBride, sailed more than 200,000 nautical miles, from Alaska to South America, the Caribbean and Atlantic … then back again and again. Chris and Melissa now live in Park City, Utah, but are never away long from the mothership OCEARCH. They have two young daughters who have embraced the sea-loving lifestyle and regularly join the crew aboard the vessel. Expeditions: 1. GUADALUPE ISLAND - December 2007 2. GUADALUPE ISLAND - December 20083. SHARED OFFSHORE FORAGING AREA – June 20094. MALIBU, CA - September 20095. FARALLON ISLANDS - October 2009 6. GUADALUPE ISLAND - November 20097. SEA OF CORTEZ – May 20128. SEA OF CORTEZ – September 20109. REVILLAGIGEDOS - November 2010 10. COCOS - January 201111. BOCA GRAND - May 18-28, 201112. BOCA GRAND PASS - July 1-3, 201113. SOUTH AFRICA 1 - March 5-25, 201214. SOUTH AFRICA 2 - April 10 –May 23, 2012On-Camera Television Credits: Expedition Leader, Host, Shark Men (Expedition Great White), National Geographic Channel11 Episodes, 2009-201010 Episodes, 201110 Episodes, 2012 (premiering April 7, 2012)Host, Offshore Adventures, ESPN 2002-2008180 Episodes, Most Watched Outdoor TV Show of all timeHost, Ocean Hunter, ESPN 2005-200730 EpisodesEmmy Award Winner: Host, Offshore Adventures (2009 Regional)Eight Additional Emmy Awards (Regional) and 4 Telly Awards as CEO/Founder of Fischer ProductionsConservation:Chairman, OCEARCHBoard Member, The Billfish Foundation: Leading conservation organization of pelagic fishEducation: BS in Business, Indiana University, 1991ABOUT OCEARCHOCEARCH is a non-profit organization with a global reach for unprecedented research on the oceans’ giants.We facilitate unprecedented research by supporting leading researchers and institutions seeking to attain groundbreaking data on the biology and health of sharks, in conjunction with basic research on shark life history and migration. The researchers we support work aboard the M/V OCEARCH, a unique 126’ vessel equipped with a custom 75,000 hydraulic lift and research platform, which serves as both mothership and at-sea laboratory.Our fieldwork involves attracting, catching, tagging, and bio-sampling of sharks before they are released. The shark is monitored at all times under expert guidance and maintained on the platform by water over its gills. All fieldwork is done according to agreed and approved protocols based primarily on ethical considerations, and overseen by leading scientists/researchers.We bring together key stakeholders to accelerate the body of knowledge surrounding apex predators. Research findings and tracking maps are made public to aid in sound management decisions and further conservation policies, which protect sharks where they are most vulnerable.OCEARCH also works around the globe to champion the social, economic, and environmental benefits of sustainable fisheries management; protect and encourage sportfishing access; and advance research and education for our oceans.We believe in a balanced, science-based approach to rebuild, sustain, and conserve our living marine resources. Working with Heads of State, policy makers and conservation organizations in the United States and abroad on ocean-based environmental issues OCEARCH’s cooperative approach focuses on results.More details can be found at . PRESS/MEDIA or PUBLIC APPEARANCE REQUESTS:Chris Bergerpress@321-231-3300 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download