Marine Advocate
From the moment he first dove under the waters off the Channel Islands in 1946, Ernie has been fascinated by the sea and all the wonders it holds. An avid diver to this day, he has explored below the surface of nearly every major body of water on the planet, documenting and advocating on behalf of the sea life and habitats that are in our care.
He is an active member in a wide variety of marine groups, and has a long history of making significant contributions to further their work. Those closest to his heart are groups like the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum and the Historical Diving Society, organizations that work at once to preserve history and ensure a vibrant future for underwater exploration.
Read about the many ways Ernie has championed and raised awareness for oceans around the world.
“My goal with my photography has been to inform and inspire people to revere and protect the ocean. ”
“The best way we can impress upon the world that the sea is worth saving is by presenting the beauty within it. Only then can people grasp how important the ocean is to everything on this planet.”