About Jim Barry Art

Jim became obsessed with learning everything he could about the ocean and the amazing creatures that called it home. His research on sharks, which he obtained through fishing and diving the local waterways, introduced him to Dr. Perry Gilbert at the Bimini Lerner Marine Lab in the Bahamas. After several years of gathering research for the doctor, Jim was invited to meet with him at his lab. From that moment, he knew that the ocean would always be at the center of his life.

Jim fished commercially to help pay his way through college at the University of Miami where he earned a degree in Marine Biology. Fresh out of college, his first job was with the Palm Beach County Heath Department where he helped create their first biology lab and began managing the local wetlands and offshore resources for the department.

In the late 60’s and early 70’s, he worked with the USEPA performing a myriad of studies in the Lake Worth Lagoon and ocean outfalls. With the passage of the 1972 NEPA Act, wetlands were protected and regulatory permits were required to dredge and fill – Jim issued the first wetlands permits in the area. He also spearheaded getting the first mangrove protection ordinance passed in the state in 1981.

In the early 80’s, Jim met with John D. Mac Arthur on several occasions and was a principle force in convincing Mr. Mac Arthur of the need to preserve the tract of land that is now known as Mac Arthur Beach State Park. He is also one of the original members of the Palm Beach County Artificial Reef Committee which was formed in 1985 and which he still serves on.

In 1987 Jim was hired by the Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Department (ERM) and was the Environmental Director there until his retirement in 2006. During his tenure, Jim managed all of the environmental restoration activities as well as the artificial reef projects for the department. Some of the more significant projects that he managed included the restoration of Munyon Island, Peanut Island and Snook Islands. Artificial reef projects included the placement of the 4 Governor River Walk Reef ships, scuttling of the Princess Anne and the construction of the cross currents reef.

In addition to the restoration projects, Jim has worked hard to ensure that the public continue to have access to the local waterways. Because of this, he was a huge proponent of the County maintaining ownership of the Light Harbor Marine property as well as a strong advocate for the Juno Beach Fishing Pier that was constructed in the late 90’s.

Jim’s love for the ocean and wildlife has also steered him to hobbies including knife-making, scrimshawing and most recently drawing. When he was unable to find a knife that would hold an edge while cleaning grouper and cobia, he decided to make one himself. Over the last 35 years, his creations have ranged from small utility knives designed for filleting fish, deer and hog to extremely ornate high end art pieces.

In 2000, Jim began crafting detailed pencil drawings of fish and wildlife. He has created pieces for the 2005 & 2008 West Palm Beach Fishing Club KDW Classis, 20th Anniversary Silver Sailfish Derby and Florida State Taxidermy Association. Due to an overwhelmingly positive response he has received from these projects, Jim has recently begun making his drawings available for sale to the public.