The research expeditions of marine-life artist and conservationist Guy Harvey will reach a national audience this month, courtesy of an agreement with the Destination America network.
The two hour-long documentaries — “Giants of the Gulf” and “Sharks of North America” — were produced by Harvey and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker/producer George Schellenger. Each will air twice in September, with “Giants of the Gulf” premiering at 9 a.m. Saturday.
“Giants of the Gulf” delivers footage of encounters with whale sharks off Isla Mujeres, Mexico. The film offers viewers an “up close and personal” experience with these huge but docile fish — which can grow to 45 feet — as they mass in the hundreds for a few days for feeding off the Yucatan Peninsula.
The film also brings viewers up close with sailfish and mako sharks, which also prowl the waters off the Yucatan.
“Sharks of North America” takes viewers on a scenic and scientific voyage that begins with camera-eating tiger sharks in the Bahamas and ends off the Cayman Islands with oceanic whitetips, described by the late ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau as the most dangerous of all sharks.
Owned by Discovery Communications, Destination America features lifestyle, historical and travel programming focusing on the culture of the United States. Formerly Planet Green, it was launched in 2012.
