Speakers

Daytime

2 PM

Cousteau

In 1978, I made one of my checkout dives off the Caribbean island of St. Croix to earn my YMCA certification. Like so many others, I immediately fell in love with the clear waters of the tropics. At that time, I was hoping to become a coral reef ecologist if I didn’t make it as a shark researcher. For the last 25 years, I have been doing both. This presentation highlights the intense research we have been conducting on the sharks of the Caribbean. You will learn how high-tech tagging is now revealing the ecology of tiger, lemon, reef, and other shark species in this incredible ecosystem.

Dr. Greg Skomal is an accomplished marine biologist, photographer, and author. He heads up the Massachusetts Shark Research Program, which studies the life history, ecology, and physiology of sharks. He has written dozens of research papers, and his work has been highlighted in several film and television documentaries for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and PBS. His most recent books are the Great White Shark Handbook and Chasing Shadows, which debunk the mysteries of the great white shark. Greg is a member of the Explorers Club and the Boston Sea Rovers, and he is the 2016 Diver of the Year.

Daytime

1 PM

Gimbel

Need an altruistic reason to justify your next dive trip? Join Nancy for an inspiring seminar on the unsung ecotourism heroes of Misool, Indonesia, and Helen Reef, Palau—two of the world’s most stunning marine destinations. Through captivating video footage and firsthand stories, discover how passionate individuals and organizations are protecting these fragile ecosystems with sustainable scuba diving and conservation efforts. Watch how coral reefs are being restored, endangered species protected, and local communities empowered. Learn how you can support these initiatives through responsible travel. Don’t miss this chance to explore the intersection of adventure, conservation, and community empowerment in marine ecotourism!

Nancy McGee is a celebrated underwater explorer, filmmaker, and adventurer with over three decades of experience. A member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame and an Explorers Club Fellow, Nancy has piloted the Exosuit, scuba dived on all seven continents, and captured rare footage of extraordinary marine encounters, including snorkeling with whales, crocodiles, and diving with an elephant. Known for blending scientific exploration with storytelling, her work promotes ocean conservation and has been featured in numerous documentaries, publications and exhibitions. Nancy continues to inspire others to explore and protect our planet’s most remote and fragile aquatic environments.