Diana Widman & Dr. Pikitch

On a voyage to Antarctica in 2008 Diana Widman had a life changing experience. She became friends with Dr. Ellen Pikitch, Executive Director of the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science who was on the same ship. Dr. Pikitch loves jewelry, and in fact bought a pair of earrings that Diana had brought along on the cruise, but her true love is sharks.

Dr. Pikitch is a professor at Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences in New York. She studies sharks and sturgeon. Both species are essential to the food chain of the world’s oceans. Dr. Pikitch has been an advocate of the Don’t Fish, Don’t Trade Policy to save the Atlantic sturgeon. Sturgeon is the most valuable fish in the ocean because of its caviar. It is also one of the most endangered.

The Atlantic sturgeon is not listed on the United States Endangered Species list. From 2000-2007 Dr. Pikitch was involved with the Caviar Emptor campaign, a successful effort that resulted in a U.S. ban on the import of Beluga caviar in 2005. She also has a project in Belize to establish a No Fish Zone, a protected area for sharks where they are tagged so that scientists can track their behavior.

“As I learned more about Ellen’s mission to reverse the destruction of our oceans and their inhabitants, I was deeply affected," said Widman. "As a jeweler and metalsmith, I was inspired to use my creativity and my business to further a cause that has critical importance to the health of our planet and future generations.”

In December 2009, Diana announced a new design modeled on the logo of the Institute for Ocean Conservation, the first in a line Diana is calling SeaGems. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale of the pendant go directly to the Institute. By wearing it, the buyer is voicing their support for the institute’s commitment to protect endangered and marine species, end the wasteful shark-fin trade, and build support for smarter fisheries management. The pendant is available in sterling silver and 18KT gold, and both may be purchased on Diana Widman’s website.

Now another threat has entered the world's precious marine ecosystem - the recent oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.  Dr. Pikitch is well aware of the potential impact.  "This is an ecological disaster whose effects will be felt for many years to come," she said.  "Already a huge area has been closed to fishing, so the economic toll has already reached the communities along the Gulf. Not much has hit the beaches yet, but underwater marine life will sustain a lot of damage and death."

Widman shares Dr. Pikitch's mission to protect and preserve those who cannot speak for themselves -- the fish living in the ocean.

More information on the Institute for Ocean Conservation and the work of Dr. Ellen Pikitch can be found at: www.oceanconservationscience.org.

Diana Widman designs jewelry that is “elegance for everyday life.”  Formerly an editor and technical writer who minored in art in college, Widman came to jewelry design by way of papermaking and book binding. She began metalworking and created a signature look of ‘linen” jewelry, metal that is crumpled like well worn linen. Her Big Sky Collection features Montana Sapphires in a muted palate of slate grey, teal and sage. Recently Rachel Ray has been wearing a cuff bracelet from the Big Sky Collection on her TV Show.

For Further Information on Diana Widman
http://www.widmandesign.com
dwidmandesign@comcast.net
847-235-1686

- CJDG Editorial