On July 30, international ocean conservation organization Oceana welcomed Ted Danson and Adrian Grenier and the Honey Brothers at the 2nd annual Hamptons Splash party.
Adrian Grenier and Ted Danson – Photo: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com
This exclusive event took place at the stunning Southampton residence of Margie and Micahel Loeb.
Ted Danson speaks about protecting oceans. Photo:Jon Dee
The night began with a special VIP reception hosted by Oceana board member Ted Danson, where he gave a moving talk on the problems facing our world’s oceans and what we can do to correct them. He also autographed copies of his new book, Oceana, Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them.
Adrian Grenier and the Honey Brothers, Photo: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com
Following the VIP reception, guests including Abigail Breslin and NFL star Dhani Jones of the Cincinnati Bengals mingled with some of New York City and the Hamptons elite. Guests enjoyed the energetic atmosphere, the breathtaking scenery, and a chance to test their skills to detect seafood fraud – a disturbingly common practice in which cheaper, less desirable or more readily available fish are substituted for the fish one actually orders.
Honey Brothers + Guests, Photo: Jon Dee
“One of the things we’re talking about tonight is seafood fraud. Because a lot of the fish you think you’re eating is not as billed. You could be ordering grouper or red snapper and it could actually be tilapia” commented Ted Danson to the press. “There is so much illegal fishing going on around the world that gets relabeled before it gets to your restaurant. 80% of the fish that we eat in this country, we import from other places. 2% is looked at (by the FDA), or inspected.”
To re-inspire the crowd, Adrian Grenier gave an impromptu speech prior to his bands performance, calling out to party guests to listen to this “rock band” and do something to save the beautiful ocean that was visible in the distance. The insightful call to action was followed by a lively performance by Adrian & The Honey Brothers, a new-age folk band that got the crowd on their feet.
“Personally, I have cut down my fish consumption dramatically. I don’t eat any bluefin tuna – absolutely. Because the good news is, if we can give them a rest, they will replenish” remarked Adrian Grenier to the press. “If we give the oceans a break they are very capable of turning around and becoming the healthy ocean ecosystem that we have been able to enjoy for so many years. All we have to do is just give them a break.”
Adrian Grenier and his grandmother, Photo: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com
The Hamptons Splash party was made possible by the event co-chairs, Margie & Michael Loeb, Mary Kathryn Navab and Lois Robbins & Andrew Zaro. The honorary chair, Susan Rockefeller, spoke about how effective Oceana is as an organization, calling our some of the recent victories including the passing of the Shark Conservation Act in the US and banning shark finning in Chile’s waters.
For more information about Oceana’s Splash event, visit www.oceanasplashparty.org.