National Geographic's Greg Marshall to speak at

the Go Blue Awards Luncheon

November 5, 2009

Juno Beach & Jupiter, Florida- Loggerhead Marinelife Center will hold the Go Blue Awards Luncheon at 11:30am, with registration beginning at 11:00am, on Thursday, November 5, 2009, at the Jupiter Beach Resort(located at 5 North A1A in Jupiter, Florida). National Geographic's Greg Marshall, inventor of "Crittercam" which captured the amazing footage for the acclaimed March of the Penguins, will be guest speaker.

About 20 years ago, when Greg Marshall was a young biologist and filmmaker he saw something while snorkeling along the coral reefs of Belize that fired his imagination. A small suckerfish had attached itself to a shark and was "riding" along with it. Imagining the unique perspective the remora must have when hitchhiking with its host, Greg Marshall conceived the idea of attaching a small video camera to marine life, in effect allowing the animals to film their own behavior. This "A-ha" moment led to the development of Crittercam, an invention that has revolutionized marine biology, while producing breathtaking glimpses into the animal world.

Since then, Marshall and his team have refined the device, making it smaller, lighter, and more powerful, while expanding its use to more than 30 marine species, including great white sharks, sperm whales, emperor penguins seals, and sea turtles. Guests at the Go Blue luncheon will hear Marshall's unique insight into the world under the sea.

The Go Blue Awards Luncheon is a program recognizing the tireless efforts of local businesses and individuals making a difference in South Florida through their BLUE ocean conservation practices.

There are three separate awards categories: Blue Friend of the Year, Blue Business of the Year and the Eleanor Fletcher Award.

Lynne and Pete Wells serve as Chairmen of the Loggerhead Marinelife Center Blue Friends and the Go Blue Awards Luncheon. The dedicated committee members for the luncheon include: Nanette Lawrenson, Loggerhead Marinelife Center Executive Director, Christina D'Elosua, Rosemary Eastman, Monique Godwin, Beverly Reddington, Barbara Savastano, Rebecca Brewer, Tish Carlo, Bob Chlebek, Nicole Christian, Lynne Gibbons, Paul Godwin, Diana Maguire and Rowena Randle.

UBS, Palm Beach County Wealth Group is lead sponsor of the Go Blue Awards Luncheon, other sponsors include Tiffany & Co. and Jupiter Beach Resort.

Tickets to the Go Blue Luncheon are $65 per person. To reserve your seat, learn about sponsorship opportunities, or for more information please call 561-627-8280 ext. 111 or visit www.marinelife.org.

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center, a nonprofit organization, is committed to the conservation of marine life through public education, research and rehabilitation with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. In addition to providing educational programs, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center operates a sea turtle rehabilitation program, and features aquariums and other marine exhibits. The Center, located at 14200 US Highway One in Juno Beach is open 10 am - 5 pm Monday thru Saturday and 12 pm - 4 pm on Sunday. For more information visit www.marinelife.org or call 561-627-8280.