Ms. Aquino
jaquino@rbmaritime.org

My name is Jamie Aquino . I am a native Floridian with a passion for the ocean and its marine inhabitants. I am new to Riviera Beach Maritime Academy where I teach English and journalism. I have been teaching high school English and journalism for the past six years. A former journalist and sports publicist, I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree in sports administration from the University of Miami.

In 2007, I initiated a campaign called Pier2Pier to help protect wild dolphins and manatees in Florida and elsewhere around the world. With the help of my former students, we have won numerous awards and received international recognition. My website www.pier2pier.net was named the grand prize winner in the Doors to Diplomacy competition sponsored by the U.S. State Department, with four of my students receiving college scholarships. Pier2Pier was also one of the top ten finalists in the Volvo Adventure competition, sponsored by Volvo cars and the United Nations Environment Programme. Our reward was a 5-day all-expense paid trip to Sweden to meet with and collaborate with the other teams from around the world. In 2009, my student s produced a rap music video speaking out against killer whales in captivity, which was named an honorable mention at the prestigious Blue Ocean Film Festival.

Currently, I am developing a marine conservation, research and education facility in Haiti. I am also working with the Haitian government and the local fishermen to establish the first whale and dolphin watching business in the country. The Haiti Ocean Project is sponsored by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Dwight Stephenson Construction, the Bryan Adams Foundation and the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.