In this episode of the Rising Tide Ocean podcast, Vicki Nichols Goldstein discusses the return of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards with co-founder Wendy Benchley and Rising Tide co-host and co-founder David Helvarg. After a 7-year hiatus, the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards are set to return on May 8, 2025, at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, backed by the nationwide Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP). 

Their conversation covers the origins of the awards, their impact on the ocean conservation community, and the excitement surrounding their return. Wendy and David share memorable moments from past awards and highlights the importance of recognizing leaders in various sectors including policy, science, grassroots activism, and sustainable business. And listeners are invited to nominate their own ocean champions at www.peterbenchleyoceanawards.org

David, Vicky, & Wendy also delve into Peter Benchley's legacy as a writer and his significant contribution to marine conservation.

** Links & Resources **

Support the Rising Tide and donate to Blue Frontier: bluefront.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation

Your gift of any size will help bring communities together to protect our coasts and ocean. 

Benchley Awards: peterbenchleyoceanawards.org/

In collaboration with the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards will be held on May 8th, 2025 at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Jaws by Peter Benchley: amazon.com/Jaws-Novel-Peter-Benchley/dp/1400064562/

A great white shark terrorizes the beautiful summer getaway of Amity Island, and a motley group of men take to the water to do battle with the beast.

The Girl of the Sea of Cortez: amazon.com/Girl-Sea-Cortez-Novel/dp/0345544137

On an island in the Gulf of California, an intrepid young woman named Paloma carries a special legacy from her father—a deep understanding of the sea and a sixth sense about the need to protect it.

Blue Frontier: bluefront.org

Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild.

Inland Ocean Coalition: inlandoceancoalition.org

Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection

Fluid Studios: fluidstudios.org

Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.