Charles Vinick - Executive Director, the Whale Sanctuary Project. Former E.V.P. Ocean Futures Society + V.P. Cousteau Society. | EP 20

Charles Vinick is one of the elder statesman of the marine environmental movement. He has long been an educator, marine mammal activist, youth mentor, and film producer throughout his career.  Charles has received commendations from the White House for his work with youth education and from the Los Angeles City Council for community environmentalism. He has also worked with non profits, and in business with renewable energy and technology companies.  A member of the Whale Sanctuary Project Board of Directors since mid-2016, Charles brings a unique blend of leadership and experience to his role as Executive Director.  With a strong background in business that includes extensive experience in ocean + environmental policy, project management and government relations, Charles keeps current with a solid vision for the future. The Whale Sanctuary Project, his most ambitious yet,  with Jean Michel, is creating the first North American seaside sanctuary for captive cetaceans in Nova Scotia.   For over 40 years, Charles has worked alongside the Cousteau family, early on with Jacques Yves and currently with Jean-Michel, helping these preeminent ocean explorers establish, grow and sustain multiple initiatives.  As an adviser, and cofounder of the Cousteau Centers, Inc., Charles developed and managed Parc Oceanique Cousteau, an ocean education and entertainment complex in Paris. He shepherded the growth of the Cousteau Society and, from 1993 through 2003, served as Executive Vice President of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Institute and Ocean Futures Society, which produced educational programs as well as films about the ocean and the environment. During that time he was privileged to serve as director of the highly-publicized Keiko Project, a pioneering effort that marshaled public and media support to reintroduce to the wild the captive Orca made famous through the “Free Willy” films.   LEARN MORE ABOUT CHARLES VINICK AND THE WHALE SANCTUARY PROJECT here:    Follow Charles on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-vinick-67b02b14 Whale Sanctuary Website: https://whalesanctuaryproject.org/ Whale Sancturary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whalesanctuaryproject/ Conversation with Jean-Michel Cousteau: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XXd78yeHNs TEDx Whales Without Walls: https://www.ted.com/talks/charles_vinick_whales_without_walls/transcript?language=en Whales Without Walls short film: https://vimeo.com/385049610 Long Gone Wild Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5T2AOjpSZs Charles Vinick + Ecosphere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ6PbgaVw4A Learn more about Keiko’s Legacy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07rItwjRutI Beluga Whale Safety PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya2tLyMCgXE&t=45s Gabby Reece Interview:  https://thegabbyreeceshow.libsyn.com/charles-vinick-on-marine-life-intelligence-amongst-wildlife-activism-and-the-legacy-of-keiko   “Today a family can go whale watching, for probably less money, and a greater experience than going to a marine park” - Charles Vinick   TO SUGGEST A GUEST YOU CAN REACH US here: [email protected] or take the EPIC OCEAN CHALLENGE follow this link: https://www.ourepicocean.com/challengevid