The newest of Oceana's board members, Sam Waterston has played an active role in saving the oceans since joining Oceana in May 2007. Previously, Waterston served on Oceana's Ocean Council, along with a select group of academic, business, policy and philanthropic leaders.

"I got involved with Oceana initially because I grew up beside the ocean in New England and loved it. When I learned that the collapse of the New England cod fishery was final, with all that meant for the communities and fisherman there, I wanted to help," said Waterston. "I started to read more and more scientific reports clearly showing that our oceans are headed towards an irreversible collapse and I learned that Oceana was actually doing something about it. I like their science-based, results driven approach. When asked to join the board, I felt that I had to join and do all that I could."

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1940, Waterston's father was a language teacher while his mother was a landscape painter. He attended preparatory schools Brooks and Groton before earning a scholarship to Yale

University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1962. Later that year, Waterston made his New York debut at the Phoenix Theater in Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad.

Over the next four decades, Waterston's career goes on to include a plethora of film and television credits as well as repeated returns to the stage. His trophy case includes television awards such as the Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild, and theater awards like the OBIE and Drama Desk. Other accolades include an Academy Award nomination for his role as journalist Sydney Schanberg in 1984's The Killing Fields and six Emmy Award nominations for his roles in I'll Fly Away and Law & Order.

"We are very grateful for Sam's help," noted Oceana's chief executive officer Andrew Sharpless. "He gets it. He has closely followed the drumbeat of scientific reports about the rapid depletion of life in our oceans. Everyone recognizes and trusts him. He will be a huge help for our campaigns to bring the world's oceans back from the brink of irreversible collapse."