Captain Wayne Hasson Memorial Applied Marine Conservation Graduate Research Scholarship

March 2022

Sponsored by: the Sea of Change Foundation in memory of Capt Wayne Hasson (WDHOF Member Anne Hasson)

Ashley Dawdy ($2,000 scholarship)
Ashley is a Master’s student at Florida State University and a member of Dr. Dean Grubbs’ research group at the FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory. She is an AAUS Scientific Diver and PADI Divemaster. Her thesis investigates the movement ecology of elasmobranchs of conservation concern. In Apalachicola Bay, she studies cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) movement behavior to assess interaction potential of rays with commercial bivalves. She studies the movement behavior of smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) in the Florida Keys, aiming to identify potential species mating areas. Following graduate school, Ashley hopes to continue elasmobranch research within an aquarium research program.

Sea of Change Foundation Honors Wayne Hasson with Posthumous Lifetime Explorer Award 2021

December 21, 2020 – The Sea of Change Foundation is pleased to announce the 2021 recipient of their prestigious Lifetime Explorer Award is dive industry legend and former foundation Board Member, Wayne Hasson. This annual award honors individuals who exemplify a lifetime of excellence in ocean awareness and exploration. Mr. Hasson is globally recognized as an explorer, environmentalist, educator, and innovator in the dive industry. It is awarded to Mr. Hasson posthumously.

Captain Wayne Hasson was a marine, SCUBA diver extraordinaire and instructor, boat captain, pilot, world traveler and true pioneer in the SCUBA diving industry. Wayne was born in Columbus, Ohio (1950), lived in the Cayman Islands for 20 years, then settled in Naples, Florida in 1999. Wayne fell in love with the sea at an early age while living at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There he learned boating, diving, fishing, and boat building. Wayne was a proud U.S. Marine serving from 1970 – 1978, including a tour to the Far East supporting operations in Vietnam and served aboard the USS Okinawa assisting in the evacuation of Saigon.

In 1984, Wayne became the first captain of the new Cayman Aggressor (one of the first-ever liveaboard dive yachts) growing it to become the Aggressor Fleet. The fleet later became an internationally recognized brand and leader in exploratory and expeditionary travel, Aggressor Adventures®. Wayne later became partner and President of the new expanded travel company until his passing in 2020.

Wayne’s passion was to inspire youth to explore, understand, and respect the ocean and its wildlife through SCUBA diving, ocean education, and conservation. As an avid pilot, he encouraged countless students of all ages to fly through the Young Eagles program. Wayne was President of the Cayman Islands Watersports Association, Vice President of the Sister Islands Tourism Association, and served on the Boards of the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA), the Sea of Change Foundation, Oceans for Youth Foundation, Friends of Rookery Bay, and the Florida Gulf Coast University’s Eagles Club.

The Lifetime Explorer Award was presented by several members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors to his widow, Anne Hasson at the Aggressor Adventures’ headquarters in Augusta, Georgia on December 15. Ms. Hasson who also serves on the Foundation’s Board said, “What an honor and wonderful way to remember Wayne’s legacy. I’m grateful and know that this would make him smile. On his behalf, thank you all very much.”

“Wayne truly embodied the spirit of this award in that his life’s work was based on exploring the world’s oceans for divers and sharing his knowledge of the ocean with adults and children alike. His love of exploration continues to guide us every day,” said Wayne Brown, Chairman of the Board of the foundation and CEO of Aggressor Adventures®.

Sea of Change Foundation’s Samantha Whitcraft Named Scuba Diving’s Sea Hero,

May 2021

Augusta, Georgia. May 4, 2021. For immediate release: The Sea of Change Foundation’s Executive Director, Samantha Whitcraft, has been named Scuba Diving Magazine’s SEA HERO, May 2021. The award is given by Scuba Diving.com, PROSPEX, and Seiko recognizing “people of action, devotion to protecting the planet’s oceans and marine life through conservation, technology or by simply helping others.” According to the magazine article describing her achievements, “as Executive Director of Sea of Change [Foundation]—where 100 percent of donations go to conservation projects—Whitcraft connects the dots between conservation and commerce, knowing that the future of the dive industry depends on the marriage of ecotourism and community-based conservation. For that she is our May Sea Hero.”

As a conservation biologist, Whitcraft has worked in in the field, lab, classroom, and office for over 25 years tackling some of the most pressing ocean issues including shark conservation, marine protected areas, the unsustainable international wildlife trade, protecting coral reefs, and ocean literacy through citizen science. With the Sea of Change Foundation, she has spearheaded a clear mission, creation of conservation focus areas, and new grants programs including the Foundation’s successful, innovative Reef Rescue and Rapid Response Fund that empowers divers and their communities with grant funds to act as first-responders to acute reef-damaging incidents. With Aggressor Adventures®, as their Director of Conservation & Outreach, she initiated and formalized expansion of the company’s sustainability initiatives with the Green the Fleet® program that works to reduce environmental impacts across all operations including increased energy efficiency, greener waste disposal, limiting single-use plastics, introducing coral-friendly sunscreens, and reducing packaging.

This September, Whitcraft will lead Aggressor Adventures’ first specifically conservation-themed dive adventure, Sharks, Coral and Conservation! aboard the beautiful 100-foot Bahamas Aggressor yacht in the Bahamas’ more remote Out Islands. This exclusive trip will be available for 14 guests and will provide the same excellent service, mouth-watering cuisine, and signature amenities divers have come to expect over the past 35 years. In the evenings, Samantha will offer short, fun, and informative presentations about the fascinating world of ocean conservation, focusing on the healthy coral reefs and abundant sharks of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, one of the first marine protected areas of its kind established in 1959. Guests may also opt to experience, hands-on, how the Sea of Change Foundation works with marine scientists from Ocean First Institute using lasers to measure sharks underwater!

“I’m honored by both this amazing award – thank you to Scuba Diving Magazine and Seiko – and by the opportunity to share my passion for conservation directly with Aggressor Adventures’ guests.” said Whitcraft. “The Sea of Change Foundation’s successes are a direct reflection of its leadership, and this award shines a light on the knowledge, experience, and energy Samantha brings to the Foundation” concluded the Foundation’s Board Chair, and Aggressor Adventures’ CEO Wayne Brown, Wayne Brown. “The Board of Directors and I could not be prouder of Samantha for this well-deserved recognition.”

Earth Day 2021 – Sea of Change Foundation Promotes Sustainable Sun Protection

For Immediate Release. Augusta, Georgia. April 20, 2021:

For Immediate Release. Augusta, Georgia. April 22, 2021: In celebration of Earth Day and in our on-going efforts to protect our waters and our precious coral reefs, the Sea of Change Foundation, in partnership with Aggressor Adventures®, is promoting the use of protective clothing as sun block and offering a discount on our popular sun protection merchandise.

Why are we promoting sun protection clothing on Earth Day? The Foundation’s Sustainable Choices program provides educational materials about choosing environmentally friendly sun protection emphasizing clothing first, followed by reef-friendly, mineral sunscreen lotions. Why? Because physically blocking the sun with a good hat or long-sleeve shirt can be effective in protecting the wearer from sun exposure while limiting the need for commonly used chemical sunscreens, many with ingredients found to impact aquatic life in both fresh-water and saltwater environments. Helping to keep harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene out of our waters is something we can all do this Earth Day.

Beginning on April 22, Earth Day, and for a week through April 29, using discount code SOCearthday21 when purchasing our men’s or women’s rash guard, broadbrim field hat, or adjustable baseball cap provides a 15% discount. All items feature our chambered nautilus logo, and all funds raised go directly to conservation
research and community action that creates positive change around the world!

“We invite our friends and colleagues from the adventure travel communities to join us in celebrating Earth Day by committing to help protect our planet’s precious water resources,” says Samantha Whitcraft, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “With the generous support of Aggressor Adventures®, our goal is to raise $3,000 to support our Reef Rescue and Rapid Response Fund that empowers local communities to respond to reef-damaging events,” she added. “This Earth Day and every day, with the Sea of Change Foundation, funds from 100% of your purchases and donations go directly to support conservation and research so that future generations can also fall in love with the beauty and wonders of this watery planet called Earth,” says founder Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures® and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation.

You can shop for the Foundation’s exclusive sun protection merchandise at our on-line store or donate directly to the Foundation, here. Thank you and Happy Earth Day!

Sea of Change Foundation Announces Successful Bluefin Tuna Tagging with Tag-A-Giant

For Immediate Release. Augusta, Georgia. March 1, 2021:

Since 2015, the Sea of Change Foundation has supported threatened species conservation projects around the world. In 2020, with the TAG (Tag A Giant) team, the foundation expanded that support to include satellite tagging and tracking of Atlantic bluefin tuna. The Foundation funded three pop-up, satellite archival tags. These technologically advanced devices – using the same microchips and communications technologies found in cell phones – record the fishes’ movements across vast distances.

In December 2020, despite pandemic-caused logistical challenges and bad weather, five fish were tagged, three with satellite tages off the coast of Morehead, North Carolina. The average size of the tagged bluefin tunas was 250 pounds with a 70-inch fork length, making these fish approximately 7 to 9 years old and likely reproductively mature. Before each tagged fish was safely released, DNA fin clips and small tissue samples were taken so that individual genetics and sex markers can later be correlated with their recorded movements. Today, the tags are actively recording valuable data and will continue until they “pop-up” to the ocean surface and upload their data to the nearest satellite for retrieval by the TAG team of scientists to review and analyze.

Why is this important? Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna are categorized as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Western Atlantic tuna are listed as Critically Endangered. Since 1970, the eastern bluefin population declined by 50% while the western Atlantic bluefin’s spawning biomass suffered a 90% reduction over the same time period. These declines dramatically impact both commercial and recreational fisheries. The data collected from tagged bluefin provides vital information about their population structure, migrations, and spawning sites and times all of which are vital for improving protections and sustainable management of the two stocks.

“At the Sea of Change Foundation, we support cutting-edge science as a powerful tool for effective conservation, and the work of the Tag-A-Giant team is an example of excellent science in action. We’re excited to see the tracks from our three tagged tunas and will share those on our social media, so stay tuned” said Samantha Whitcraft, Executive Director of the Foundation. Importantly, “through the Foundation, 100% of donations go directly to support such research projects that help ensure future generations will also experience the natural world and its wonders, like the magnificent bluefin tuna,” concluded Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures® and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation.

Aggressor Adventures Announces a Valentine’s Day Fundraiser for the Sea of Change Foundation

For Immediate Release. Augusta, Georgia. February 8, 2021:

In an on-going effort to support the conservation, science, and education of their official non-profit partner, the Sea of Change Foundation, this year Aggressor Adventures® is offering nature-lovers everywhere a unique gifting opportunity for their valentine.

With a one-time donation of only $25 to the Foundation, your valentine’s name (first name and last initial or nickname) will be included on the exclusive, beautiful “Oceans of Love” webpage to show the world that your love is not only for each other but also for our wide oceans, historic rivers, and spectacular wildlife. This gorgeous page including your valentine’s name will be shared across social media from Valentine’s Day, February 15 through February 17.

“We invite our friends and colleagues from the adventure travel communities to join us in making this Valentine’s Day one that celebrates love for all of our planet’s precious resources,” says Samantha Whitcraft, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “With the generous support of Aggressor Adventures, our goal is to raise $10,000 to support projects in our three main focus areas; Coral Reefs – Restoration & Resilience, Ocean Pollution – Public Awareness & Action, and Threatened Species & Habitats,” she added.

Thank you to those who contributed.

Suzanne B.
George W.

Majic W.
Elizabeth R.

Catherine M.
Janusz J.

Sea of Change Foundation and FORCE BLUE Join Forces for Safe & Sustainable Sun Protection

In 2018, in order to support both marine conservation and veteran communities, the Sea of Change Foundation initiated and funded a project with FORCE BLUE to utilize its Special Operations Veterans as part of an ocean-awareness, public service campaign.

The campaign supports the ongoing work of FORCE BLUE to create awareness in the community of military families, veterans, and their supporters that marine conservation is something they can engage in. FORCE BLUE works to inspire people already predisposed to service to become “force multipliers” and to take action in the fight to protect our oceans. And the Sea of Change Foundation also addresses issues such as ocean pollution, threatened species and habitats, and coral reef restoration & resilience. Given the overlap in their missions, the Sea of Change Foundation and FORCE BLUE joined forces to engage military communities and the general public to become empowered consumers with regard to environmentally safe sun protection, limiting plastic pollution, and choosing sustainable seafood.

The second of three FORCE BLUE public service announcements (PSAs) is released today focusing on responsible consumer choices regarding single-use plastics. The PSA features Dan Skidmore of Force Blue Team 2, a former USAF Combat Controller. In it he describes how to be an informed consumer about the chemicals found in many common sunscreen products that can be harmful to us and to our fragile coral reefs.

Additionally, at the end of the PSA is a “Join the fight…” button that directs viewers to a survey that will help the Foundation gauge the positive impact of the messaging.

Director of Conservation and Outreach for the Sea of Change Foundation, Samantha Whitcraft said, “Partnering with FORCE BLUE provides the perfect opportunity to empower the broader military community to make sustainable choices for themselves, their families, and our oceans. We’re thrilled to work with them to expand awareness about these important issues.” Wayne Brown, Chairman of the Board of the Sea of Change Foundation adds, “As a veteran, I’m pleased that our Foundation is partnering with FORCE BLUE to help support my fellow veterans in their fight to protect our oceans.”

Sea of Change Foundation and FORCE BLUE Join Forces for the Fight Against Plastic Pollution

The first of three FORCE BLUE public service announcements (PSAs) is released today focusing on responsible consumer choices regarding single-use plastics. The PSA features Jay Casello, of Force Blue Team 2, a former USAF Combat Rescue Officer. In it he describes how we can all make small changes to reduce plastic pollution that is harmful to our oceans.

Jay Casello speaking about how we can all make small changes to reduce plastic pollution.

Additionally, at the end of the PSA is a “Join the fight…” button that directs viewers to a survey that will help the Foundation gauge the positive impact of the messaging.

Sea of Change Foundation Expands Mission

Founded in 2015 by leaders in the scuba diving industry, the Sea of Change Foundation is expanding its core mission while maintaining focus on creating positive change. The Foundation will now fund terrestrial conservation in addition to marine conservation to include all of the natural world. Examples of current and pending projects funded by the Foundation that encompass the new mission include:

Innovations in reducing plastics-use at sea turtle nest monitoring sites, Mexico
Limiting negative interactions between subsistence farmers and elephants, Sri Lanka
Conservation of African manatees in Lake Ossa, Cameroon
Educating military communities and families about daily sustainable choices, USA

The three conservation focus areas of the Foundation will continue as: Ocean Pollution – Public Awareness & Action, Coral Reefs – Restoration & Resilience, and Threatened Species & Habitats, with the latter to now encompass terrestrial conservation. Recognizing the value of scuba divers and coastal communities to local marine conservation, the Foundation will continue its successful Reef Rescue and Rapid Response grants program; and will also continue to support annual marine science scholarships with the Women Divers Hall of Fame.

It is the hope of the Board of Directors of the Sea of Change Foundation that the new expanded mission will help support even more meaningful conservation with positive, measurable outcomes. “Our mission will now better align with the expanding ecotourism of Aggressor Adventures® and, as always, 100% of donations to the Foundation will support conservation,” concluded Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation.

About the Sea of Change Foundation: The Sea of Change Foundation funds conservation and research initiatives that directly impact the natural world we all love to enjoy and explore. Our mission is to create positive change. Learn more about and donate to support the Sea of Change Foundation here: www.seaofchange.com.

Press Release: SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

Sea of Change Foundation Fundraiser and Gala at DEMA Show 2018

Augusta, Georgia. September 4, 2018: In an on-going effort to support marine conservation and education, leaders of the scuba diving community will unite in support of the Sea of Change Foundation at this year’s DEMA (Dive Equipment Manufacturers’ Association) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Sea of Change Foundation, along with our generous sponsors – Aggressor Adventures, SSI, Platinum Pro Foundation, and Mares – is hosting the second annual Coral Reefs Forever Gala beginning at 6:30 p.m., November 15, 2018 in Pavilions I & II of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

This “ocean casual” gala event will include complimentary beer and wine, delicious food, a live DJ, dancing, and both a silent and called auction. Outstanding achievements in diving will be recognized via the Platinum Pro Awards along with the Sea of Change Foundation’s annual Lifetime Explorer Award. We invite our friends and colleagues from the dive community, who will be attending DEMA, to join us for what promises to be great evening for a great cause – our oceans!

All funds raised will go directly to support the Sea of Change Foundation’s 2019 marine conservation projects and graduate scholarships. “With the Sea of Change Foundation, 100% of donations go directly to conservation initiatives around the world to ensure future generations of divers can also experience the sea and its wonders,” says founder Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation. In 2019, the foundation will again provide financial and logistic support for projects that create direct and measurable positive change for our oceans; and our scholarship fund will support graduate students’ research that innovates for ocean conservation applications.

About the Sea of Change Foundation: The Sea of Change Foundation funds marine conservation and research initiatives that directly impact the oceans we all love to dive and explore. Our mission is to create positive change for the oceans.

Coral Reefs Forever Gala Invitation – DEMA 2018 DOWNLOAD PDF>

More News & Press

Funding Opportunities at the Sea of Change Foundation. SevenSeas Media: https://sevenseasmedia.org/funding-opportunities-sea-change-foundation/

Sea of Change Foundation Funds Humpback Whale Research. DiveNewsWire: https://www.divenewswire.com/sea-of-change-foundation-funds-humpback-whale-research/

Costa Rica’s Sharks & Rays: Knowing Them to Protect Them. Scuba H20 Adventures Magazine. http://flippubs.net/publication/?i=504127&ver=html5#{%22issue_id%22:504127,%22page%22:60}

Sea of Change Foundation Launches Reef Rescue and Raid Response Grants. Underwater 360.Asia: https://www.uw360.asia/sea-of-change-foundation-launches-reef-rescue-and-rapid-response-grants/

Celebrating 75 Years of Discovery, Aqua Lung Supports Sea of Change Foundation. DiveNewsWire: https://www.divenewswire.com/celebrating-75-years-of-discovery-aqua-lung-supports-sea-of-change-foundation/

Sea of Change Foundation Fundraiser Gala at DEMA Show, 2017. DiveNewsWire. https://www.divenewswire.com/sea-change-foundation-fundraiser-gala-dema-show-2017/

Coral Nurseries Thrive in Grand Cayman Waters. Cayman Compass. https://www.caymancompass.com/2017/03/16/coral-nurseries-thrive-in-grand-cayman-waters/

Reef Rescue Grants. Ocean Geographic Explorers. http://underwaterartists.com/2015-10-28-19-18-38/conservation/162-reef-rescue-grants