Clearwater Marine Aquarium Mourns the Passing of Dr. James “Buddy” Powell, A Giant in Manatee Research

With extremely heavy hearts, Clearwater Marine Aquarium announces that Dr. James “Buddy” Powell, Chief Zoological Officer of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Executive Director of Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI), passed away Saturday, July 19, following a brief illness. For more than 50 years, Dr. Powell worked to conserve manatees and other endangered species such as North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles around the world through science and education. With an integrated approach to unlock solutions for conservation issues, his efforts have resulted in coastal protected areas in Florida, West Africa, Belize and Cuba.

“Buddy’s passion for marine research and his unwavering dedication made a lasting impact—not only on our mission, but on all of us who had the privilege of knowing him,” said Joe Handy, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. “Buddy was an integral part of our CMA and CMARI family. His intelligence, warmth and leadership will be deeply missed. Buddy was much more than a colleague, he was a friend. He has inspired me and so many other people to care for manatees,” said Handy. “Buddy was a man who revered marine research, and committed his lifelong work to manatees and manatee research. He also advanced the field—not just through his work, but through the quiet integrity and passion that touched everyone around him,” said Handy.

For 20 years, CMARI researchers and staff were involved in rescuing and releasing manatees, along with other organizations in the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership. Dr. Powell dreamed of a day when Clearwater Marine Aquarium would become a home for manatees—the gentle giants he championed with every ounce of his heart. He spent years relentlessly chasing that dream, navigating government funding and rallying private donors, often fueled only by his belief that it mattered. Last August, that came true when CMA opened the doors to its Manatee Rehabilitation Center, and for the first time, CMA welcomed manatees in need of care. Every manatee cared for at CMA or by CMA is a testament to his vision, his grit, and the love he poured into this mission.

As a native Floridian, Dr. Powell’s work began in the 1970s with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as a biologist and manatee specialist. In 1986, he moved to West Africa where he studied manatees and forest elephants for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). After a cultural adjustment and gaining experience in managing people and changing human behavior, he was pivotal in establishing several coastal protected areas. He moved to Belize in the 1990s to manage WCS’s Glover’s Reef Marine Research Station. Upon his return to Florida, Dr. Powell administered the state’s research program on marine mammals and sea turtles for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In 2001, he became a Vice President at Wildlife Trust where he oversaw the Aquatic and National Divisions. Dr. Powell also conducted research with North Atlantic right whales and the recently discovered Rice’s whales.

In 2008, Dr. Powell co-founded Sea to Shore Alliance. The organization was created to improve the health and productivity of coastal environments for the endangered species and human livelihoods that depend on them through research, education and conservation. In 2019, Dr. Powell joined CMA as VP of Research & Conservation when Sea to Shore Alliance merged with Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Dr. Powell remained Executive Director of Sea to Shore Alliance doing business as CMARI after the merger.

Dr. Powell was also involved in research with North Atlantic right whales, with CMARI scientists collecting more than 20 years of aerial survey data on this endangered species which has only 360 individuals remaining. Working with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), CMARI’s data from daily flights in winter from North Carolina to Florida - the only known calving areas for this species - have led to ship speed reduction, expanded habitat protection and halted whale mortality in the Southeast.

Dr. Powell played a vital role in shaping the Right Whale Festival in Fernandina Beach, FL, over the past 17 years. Co-hosted by Clearwater Marine Aquarium and NOAA Fisheries, the festival is held each November to celebrate the arrival of North Atlantic right whales as they migrate to the waters around Amelia Island from November through April. Each year, the event educates more than 25,000 people about these critically endangered whales and the efforts to protect them.

He was recently involved in research on Rice’s whales, a new species found in the Gulf of Mexico/America. He also helped begin the CMA Speaker Series in 2023, bringing Dr. Sylvia Earle, world-renowned oceanographer, to CMA this past May.

Dr. Powell was raised in Crystal River, and after many travels throughout the world, he returned to Crystal River to make his home. He lived there with his wife, Maureen. The couple has a daughter, Morgan (Catherine).

Dr. Powell received his BSc. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Florida, his Masters in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington, and his PhD in Zoology from the University of Cambridge in England. He was the recipient of the prestigious Pew Award in Marine Conservation in 2000, has been featured on “Champions of the Wild” and National Geographic’s “Wild Chronicles” documentaries, and has been honored with multiple awards and certificates. Dr. Powell has authored two books, numerous scientific publications and popular articles.