Ellen Myers Joins SeaSmart as the Director of Conservation & Sustainability Programs

Announcing our 2023 Scholar

Students and Adults: Join Us in Roatan in July

Mexico Bans Shark Related Tourism in Isla Guadalupe Biosphere Reserve

Online PADI Coral Reef Conservation Class For Everyone

SeaSmart x Urban Arts Collab: Workshops In Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Join SeaSmart at the Beneath The Sea Expo

Alumni Spotlight

Attention Teachers & Educators!

SeaSmart Swag/Past Newsletters 

SeaSmart is thrilled to have Ellen Myers officially join SeaSmart's leadership team as the Director of Conservation & Sustainability Programs

Those of you who joined us in Baja last July, had the privilege of learning from Ellen. Ellen, aka “sinza” (meaning always without shoes), lives in Bahia Magdalena, Mexico where she is working for the non-profit Fundación Marvivo. Her project, Espacios Azules, aims to create sustainable economic opportunities through environmental education.  Before moving to Baja California Sur, she worked and guided all over the world in shark diving, liveaboards, and teaching scuba diving.  She is committed to connecting science, tourism, and community for future sustainability and educating about the important ocean ecosystems. Ellen enjoys sharing the importance of sustainable development and ocean conservation with students from all over the world. 

We are thrilled to announce the recipient of our 2023 Summer Scholarship

Please join us in congratulating Sabrina R., from New Jersey for receiving SeaSmart's ocean conservation, marine science and SCUBA summer program scholarship. Her teacher explained, "Sabrina immediately took interest in the school's marine biology class option. Aside form academics, Sabrina has always shared her love for the ocean and its inhabitants." Sabrina stated in her application that "My love for the ocean itself has also fueled my interest in its conservation, as our current global society blatantly misuses it for its own gain, treating it as a trash disposal and killing one of our most essential assets of life." We are so excited to have Sabrina join us!

Watch the above sneak peek of what we have planned. Just 2 of the 12 spots for our student week remain. Our adult week is filling fast as well.

Get more info and register:

Mexico Bans Great White Shark Cage Diving in Popular Pacific Ocean Hotspot

The Mexican government has opted to close Mexico's Isla Guadalupe to Great White cage diving tourism. The Mexican Government enacted the ban on “all tourism activities, and film and TV productions at Isla Guadalupe," citing conservation concerns as a primary driver. The new Management Plan for Guadalupe stipulates that “White Shark observation may not be carried out in the Reserve for tourist purposes, to avoid altering [sharks’] habitat, behavior and feeding sites, and thereby preserve and conserve the species.”

On its surface, it seems like a great decision. However, like most issues in conservation and sustainable ecotourism, there are pros and cons to the ban. The trick is to determine which decision ultimately helps to support the marine life the most.

There are growing concerns about closing this activity. First, it is believed by many that shark diving increases support for sharks, helps people to see how beautiful they are, that they are not man-eating machines and ultimately results in taking an interest in learning how important they are to our ecosystem. Additionally, having dive boats/liveaboards stationed deters illegal fishing of sharks in the area. It's a challenge for governments to monitor and enforce the miles and miles of ocean waters to ensure there are no shark fishermen. The presence of divers served as a strong deterrent to poachers and illegal fishing activities. Operators were present on an almost-permanent basis throughout the six month season when Great Whites migrate to Isla Guadalupe each year. Last, shark tourism is a major contributor to the local economy. That will clearly suffer.

Let us know what you think about both sides of this issue.

Calling all ocean lovers!

Join us online for an engaging workshop on the importance of coral reefs to the ocean and planet. You can earn a PADI certification as well. To register, call Pan Aqua Diving at 212-736-3483.

We loved sharing important topics about ocean conservation with Urban Arts students. After their incredible comments and thoughtful questions, they took to their watercolors to create these amazing works! Creations included beautiful marine life and coral reefs. We look forward to the next workshop on April 29th.

We Will Be Sharing Important Ocean Conservation Messages With Youth Attendees at Beneath the Sea

We will also have our own booth at the expo! Please visit us if you are attending this exciting weekend filled with incredible speakers, information about cool diving gear and awesome diving destinations. Enter our raffle there to win some cool SeaSmart swag and a gift certificate for our upcoming summer program.

Alumni Spotlight 

Julia V., who journeyed with us to Mexico last summer, continued straight from Baja to Australia, where she studied abroad. She took her SCUBA certification with her and put it to good use on the Ningaloo Reef, Great Barrier Reef and the islands of Fiji. She is excited to use it to explore other parts of the world, too.

If you want to hear what some of our alumni have to say, check them out:

Opportunities for SeaSmart to Help Educators: 

SeaSmart Swag: New Styles Added!  

The new Protect What You Love style is available on our super cool sweatshirts, and long & short sleeved T's. Choose from a variety of sizes and colors with proceeds going toward our Diversity Scholarship. Every ocean lover will want one! 

Don't Worry If You Have Missed Past Newsletters  

SeaSmart's monthly newsletters are available on our website.  You can catch up on all of the cool info and opportunities here: