Sylvia Earle, known as "Her Deepness" to her colleagues in oceanography, will speak at SPC's graduation ceremony.
By ADRIENNE P. SAMUELS
Published May 6, 2004
World renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle predicts a bleak future for grouper and tuna lovers if their eating habits don't soon change.
The fish are being consumed faster than they can procreate and within 50 years, they could be extinct.
"It's not going to be a pretty sight," said Earle, a former Dunedin resident, 1953 graduate of then-St. Petersburg Junior College and the former chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "As compared to what it was like in the 1950s, 90 percent of the grouper and snapper and other large fish are gone."
Fishermen and developers might not want to hear it, but it's the truth, said Earle, who plans to spread the message of conservation and preservation during her Saturday address to the 2004 graduating class of St. Petersburg College.
It's important that today's young people understand the link between human life and ocean life, Earle said.
And she should know.
It's something Earle's been studying since her stints at SPC, Florida State University and Duke University. Now an explorer-in-residence with National Geographic, Earle, 68, is still deep-sea diving, creating machines that will help the next generation of divers and influencing public policy that will affect the future of the planet.
"The opportunity now that is before us is unprecedented," said Earle, who wants the government to establish oceanic preservation zones similar to the forest preserve system. "We know more than any previous generation. We know enough and we have a chance to get it right."
Even NASA listens to what Earle has to say.
In January, she sat on a panel designed to look at the future of the United States' space program. She also has dealings with the scientists working on NASA's Mars project.
"The connection between sea and space is really very close," said Earle, who is to scientists and divers what Britney Spears is to a 13-year-old girl.
Known as "Her Deepness" to colleagues, Earle does not hold back when it comes to commenting on the average annual $3.2-billion budget of the NOAA vs. the $15.5-billion budget of NASA.
In light of the recent report by an ocean commission, Earle said, it's imperative that the nation spend more money on exploring what lies beneath and examining the effects of pollution, toxic waste and overfishing.
"I wouldn't take a penny away (from NASA); I just want an equal number for the oceans," said Earle. "The ocean and all that it represents is critical to our survival."
SPC plans to honor Earle this weekend by inducting her into the college's newly formed Hall of Distinction.
"She's probably our most distinguished, outstanding alum," said Amelia Carey, SPC spokeswoman.
The public is invited to hear Earle's address. Graduation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, at Tropicana Field, near downtown St. Petersburg.
-Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. Adrienne Samuels can be reached at 445-4157 or samuels@sptimes.com
