Southampton - In anticipation of the second annual Oceana event to be held in the Hamptons this weekend, Hamptons.com caught up with actor, activist and Oceana Board member Ted Danson to explore his opinions on our oceans and environment.

What was the spark over 20 years ago that put you on the road to being an activist for ocean conservation? Your parents were scientists - an archeologist and anthropologist - what was their influence? Further, why have the world's oceans been your focus as opposed to wildlife or global warming for example?

Ted Danson: When I was on "Cheers," I took my daughters to our local beach and we found that it was closed due to pollution. I couldn't explain to them how this could happen, so I've spent the last 20 years looking for answers. My parents instilled in me the importance of taking care of the earth in a way that combines science and spirituality - my dad was a scientist (an archeologist) and my mom was very involved in our church. We need to base our actions on science and facts while acknowledging our interconnectedness to each other. The cool thing about the oceans is that, yes, there are a lot of problems but we can fix them, we can protect over 70 percent of the planet; if more of us get involved and push for what are very doable changes in policy - based on science. I think that's really exciting and it keeps me going.

You co-founded the American Oceans Campaign in the 1980s; what were your goals/mission then? That group later merged with Oceana and you are on the board, how have your goals/mission changed/grown? You've said that the overfishing in the oceans is a "global catastrophe that we can fix," how?

TD: I got involved with ocean advocacy because of a plan to build offshore drilling wells near the Will Rogers State Park in California. I teamed up with an environmental lawyer and we were successful in preventing offshore drilling there. After that, I went on to co-found American Oceans Campaign which ultimately became Oceana. People are destroying the oceans from all angles, from overfishing with destructive and sometimes illegal methods to offshore drilling and pollution. At risk is everything from people's livelihoods to the food chain to our own health. The good news is that oceans are resilient. If we give them a chance to recover, they will. To fix the problem of overfishing in the oceans, we have to enforce the laws that are already in place to protect fish populations, and end fishing in very important places at certain times - when fish are spawning, for example. The great thing about seafood conservation is that it works. Fish are very resilient, but you have to give them a chance to reproduce and grow if you want to keep enjoying them for decades to come.

You have a very successful career in front of the camera - first with "Cheers" then "Bored to Death" and soon on "CSI," not to mention numerous movie roles - you've stepped into a new role as an author. Tell us about your book, "Oceana", which you co-wrote with Michael D'Orso. What was your writing process? How did it come together? Will there be a movie/documentary on the horizon?

TD: We set out to write a book that describes, in an entertaining and informative way, the most critical threats to the oceans, and how we can turn them around. Through my work with leading scientists and experts I realize that time is running out for the ocean and that we are at a tipping point. We can take a stand now and save the oceans or we can continue the status quo and watch them collapse. Mike and I wrote this book so that people learn why the ocean is in danger, and can understand that it is a solvable problem. We don't currently have a plan for a documentary at this time, but I'd love to do one. I did the voice over for the film "The End of the Line: Imagine a World Without Fish," which I would encourage anyone to check out to learn about overfishing.

Finally, Oceana is coming back to the Hamptons for an event raising awareness and funds for the organization's efforts. Tell me about the event a bit. What are your hopes for the event with regard to fundraising and awareness? Will you bring along a few of your notable friends to lend their support and voices to the cause? How will you spend your time in the Hamptons before and after the party?

TD: The event is on Saturday, July 30 at the gorgeous beachfront estate of Margie and Michael Loeb in Southampton. I'll be hosting a VIP happy hour at 6:30 p.m., which leads into the main event at 7:30 p.m., complete with a live performance by The Honey Brothers featuring Adrian Grenier, who has starred in a PSA for Oceana about saving bluefin tuna. The Hamptons is a community that is deeply connected to the ocean and one that really understands the urgency in protecting it. I'm thrilled to be celebrating and supporting Oceana alongside this distinguished group.