Carl Safina

Carl Safina is a scientist, writer, public advocate, and champion for the oceans and the life they contain. Safina combines scientific expertise, passion for the environment, and pragmatism to address threats facing marine life and resources. His creative use of scientific and communication skills has encouraged various regulatory bodies to acknowledge new scientific developments and to move toward better protection of the environment. The National Audubon Society’s Living Oceans Program, which he founded, represents an effective blend of science, law, policy, and communication. The program and Safina have been instrumental in defining the scope and challenges of global, marine conservation issues. His book, Song for the Blue Ocean (1998), is both a meditation on the vanishing ocean ecosystems and an empathetic account of those whose livelihoods depend upon them. He is also the author of the books Eye of the Albatross (2003) and Voyage of the Turtle (2006). Safina founded the Blue Ocean Institute in 2003 and serves as president, after serving as vice-president for Marine Conservation at the National Audubon Society. He is also a lecturer at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Safina received a B.A. (1977) from the State University of New York, Purchase, and an M.S. (1981) and a Ph.D. (1987) from Rutgers University, New Brunswick.