Seven intrepid eco-advocates joined organizer Roberto Ochoa on a July expedition to the Galapagos Islands to highlight the importance of conservation through freediving and film.

From Apprehension to Advocacy
Now a PADI Divemaster, Ochoa rose quickly in the diving ranks after starting just five years ago. As a native of Ecuador, he loved to surf and snorkel in the Galapagos Islands but was too afraid of sharks to dive. Then, on a vacation in the Bahamas, he participated in a PADI Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) experience and laid those fears to rest. He returned to Galapagos, became a PADI Open Water Diver and discovered his innate talent for underwater videography.

He continued his diver education all the way through PADI Pro level to facilitate his videography.

Somewhere along the way, he fell in love with the sharks he once feared — and set out to use his talent to win protection for them.

“I gained an audience by sharing my films on social media,” says Ochoa. “Then I worked with others to lobby the government of Ecuador to protect both sharks and manta rays. In February 2016, the governor of Ecuador signed a law protecting both sharks and rays in the waters of Darwin and Wolf islands!”

Freediving and Filming in Galapagos
This past July, Ochoa led an expedition with some of diving’s most passionate eco-advocates to the northern islands of Galapagos to scuba dive, freedive and shoot a documentary film in the recently declared marine sanctuary. Among the luminaries who accompanied Ochoa were professional freediver Guillaume Néry, shark conservationist Ocean Ramsey, Charles Darwin Foundation scientist Dr. Pelayo Salinas De León, Cousteau Divers founder Pierre Cousteau, deep-dive record-holder Leo Morales and esteemed underwater photographers Juan Oliphant and Natalie Parra.

The event was capped off in Galapagos National Park with a special day program for 200 students from local schools and universities, followed by a day of snorkeling in the waters of Tortuga Bay for 80 local children.

“The purpose of the expedition is to show the beauty of the Galapagos Islands and promote its eco-tourism, as well as educate people about the importance of shark conservation in maintaining a healthy and balanced marine ecosystem,” Ochoa says. “We know the importance of educating people, because people take care of only what they understand and appreciate.”

Ochoa plans to show the documentary filmed during the expedition at the 2016 DEMA Show. To follow along with Ochoa’s work to protect the Galapagos Islands and the waters of Ecuador, and to see his photography, follow him on Instagram (@robertoochoahe) and visit robertoochoahe.com.

Check out amazing photos from the expedition here.