Jessica Harvey’s Personal and Professional Journey to Protect Our Oceans
Jessica Harvey, daughter of marine artist and conservationist Guy Harvey and now CEO of the Guy Harvey Foundation, didn’t expect a documentary to change her understanding of something as tiny as krill. But one evening, while watching Ocean with David Attenborough, a segment caught her off guard.
“I didn’t even know how krill was harvested,” she admitted. The process — scraping the bottom of the ocean — often results in the unintentional capture of other marine life, disrupting ecosystems and removing food sources for countless species. “It’s a form of inadvertent fishing,” she added.
Curious, Jessica walked over to her cabinet and checked the label on her omega-3 supplements. Sure enough, krill was listed as an ingredient. “I take omega-3 supplements,” she said. “And I didn’t even realize I was supporting that industry.”
The story underscores what Jessica, now CEO of the Guy Harvey Foundation (GHF), knows all too well: even the most knowledgeable among us are still learning. “Expert is such a broad term,” she said. “There’s still so much we don’t know. The ocean is vast beyond our wildest dreams.”
Jessica Harvey
An Early Start
Jessica, having grown up in the Caribbean, has been inspired by the vibrant ocean life since her childhood. By the time she was five, she was accompanying her father, world-renowned marine artist and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey, on fishing and diving expeditions around the globe. She went on to earn two International Game Fish Association world records as a young angler—only 17 of which remain in place today.
Her early exposure to wildlife led her to study zoology at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and she began her career in environmental science as a terrestrial research officer for the Cayman Islands Department of Environment. In 2017, she joined the Guy Harvey Foundation as a project manager and steadily rose through the ranks. By 2023, at just 34 years old, she stepped into the role of CEO.
The Guy Harvey Foundation: Education and Collaboration
Today, Jessica leads the Foundation’s growing slate of marine conservation efforts, educational initiatives, and research partnerships. Much of the work is based in Florida, where the Foundation collaborates closely with the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University to study pelagic species and southern stingrays.
Education is central to her mission. The Foundation has expanded its K–12 marine science curriculum in recent years, providing online resources and lesson plans, as well as offering a free, two-day in-person training for educators. Since the launch of the program, the Foundation has hosted 77 workshops across more than 25 school districts, reaching thousands of students and training over 2,000 educators.
“We see the Foundation as a platform for inspiration,” Jessica says. The Foundation aims to engage people of all ages in protecting our oceans — especially students, teachers, and future scientists.
In addition to education, Jessica helps guide the Foundation’s conservation partnerships with organizations like Force Blue, I.CARE, and Mote Marine Laboratory. In Islamorada, she’s supported coral reef restoration efforts by training retired Special Operations veterans in coral outplanting and monitoring—highlighting the importance of coral reefs, which make up less than 0.02% of the ocean floor but support more than 25% of marine fish species.
After speaking with Jessica for about 30 minutes, it is obvious she brings a mix of humility and curiosity to her work in conservation — qualities that shape her approach to education, outreach, and leadership. Whether speaking to students, training teachers, or forging partnerships with corporations, her focus remains clear: ensure future generations understand the beauty, complexity, and urgency of protecting our oceans.
She emphasizes that education is essential because when people are informed and cognizant of our ocean’s essential role, they tend to develop a greater sense of concern which often leads to increased action and engagement.
And sometimes, those moments of awareness come in unexpected ways — like a documentary, a supplement label, and a renewed understanding of just how interconnected our choices are with the beauty and health of the ocean.
How You Can Support Ocean Conservation
Small actions can make a big impact. Here are a few ways you can help the Guy Harvey Foundation protect our oceans:
🟦 Buy a Specialty License Plate
Support marine research and education in Florida by purchasing the Protect Our Oceans Mahi license plate. Proceeds go directly to the Guy Harvey Foundation.
🟦 Shop with Purpose
A portion of proceeds from official Guy Harvey merchandise—apparel, artwork, accessories, and more—supports the Foundation’s work.
🟦 Donate or Partner
Make a direct contribution or explore corporate and individual partnership opportunities at guyharveyfoundation.org.
🟦 Join an Expedition
Participate in guided research trips and ocean adventures that offer a firsthand look at marine science in action.
🟦 Spread the Word
Follow and share the Foundation’s mission on social media @GuyHarveyOcean and help raise awareness about ocean conservation.
For more information on the Guy Harvey Foundation, visit https://guyharveyfoundation.org/