National Marine Sanctuaries Highlighted at Blue Ocean Film Festival Aug. 24-29

Jean-Michel Cousteau honored for "America's Underwater Treasures" film; announces release of four-book series "Explore the National Marine Sanctuaries"

SILVER SPRING, Md., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America's national marine sanctuaries played a starring role at the BLUE Ocean Film Festival held August 24-29 in Monterey, California. The 14 federally designated marine protected areas were featured in many of the 80+ films screened during the festival, including the winner for Best Ocean Exploration and Adventure Film, "Jean-Michel Cousteau Ocean Adventures: America's Underwater Treasures," a feature produced by Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society.

During the BLUE Carpet Awards Ceremony, Cousteau, a trustee emeritus of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and his family, including son Fabien and daughter Celine, were honored with a "Making Waves Award" for their outstanding accomplishments in environmental stewardship. A special tribute was made to family patriarch and pioneering ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society also announced the release of a new, four-book series, "Explore the National Marine Sanctuaries with Jean-Michel Cousteau," which focuses on the four different regions of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The series is based on the Ocean Future Society's award-winning, limited edition book "America's Underwater Treasures" and the PBS film series "Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures." The first book, available in stores January 2011, will highlight the sanctuaries of the Southeastern United States.

"We applaud the great work of our trustee emeritus, Jean-Michel Cousteau, in helping increase public awareness about national marine sanctuaries and encourage ocean stewardship," said Jason Patlis, president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a sponsor for the BLUE Ocean Film Festival. "Continuing in his father's tradition, Jean-Michel has made it his life's work to celebrate our most treasured ocean places; he is a true ocean hero."

About the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and national marine sanctuaries:

The National Marine Sanctuary System is a network of 13 sanctuaries and one marine national monument encompassing 150,000 square miles in U.S. waters. The Foundation was created to help foster conservation-based research, education, and outreach programs designed to connect the American public with these unique marine environments. For more information, visit www.NMSFocean.org.

For more information on BLUE, visit www.bluefilmfest.com.

SOURCE National Marine Sanctuary Foundation