My grandfather was extraordinary—and my father set the example I still carry. Growing up around them meant rare access: not just to wild places, but to what happens when story and science are used with discipline to move public will.

It also meant inheriting a name that comes with responsibility. You don't get to treat the ocean as an idea when it's the center of your family's life. You see what commitment costs. You learn early that love isn't enough—you need measurement, enforcement, and systems that deliver.

And I watched the baseline shift in real time. The reefs I dove as a child lost their abundance. The world my grandfather filmed isn't the world my children see.

That's why I tell these stories. Not to look back, but to remind myself—and others—what "alive" actually looked like, and to insist that recovery is possible when we stop romanticizing protection and start building restoration that is funded, measured, and sustained.

I understand that feeling deeply. What keeps me in this work is that I've witnessed recovery happen in real places—coral reefs regenerating sound, fish populations rebounding, coastal communities rebuilding their relationship with the sea. Especially when protection is paired with active restoration and the capacity to actually implement. Hope isn't a mood for me; it's a practice grounded in evidence, in what I've seen with my own eyes, and in the conviction that action changes outcomes.

Yes, but with some guidelines. My grandfather's life is very well documented online, so please don't ask me to do research you can do yourself.

Send your questions via the contact form and include:

• Your school and grade level

• Your assignment deadline

• 5–8 specific questions you cannot find answers to through your own research

I respond by email when I'm able, though I can't guarantee a response before your deadline. Focus your questions on things that aren't already covered in books, documentaries, or online archives—perspectives, family stories, or insights that only someone who knew him personally could share.

Please use the speaking request form and include: event name, date, location/time zone, format (keynote/panel/fireside), audience size, topic focus, and budget range. We’ll reply with availability and next steps.

Thank you for thinking of me. Speaking is part of my professional work, so I’m not able to take unpaid engagements.

Common themes include moving from protection to restoration at scale, ocean and coastal resilience (especially where cities and coasts meet), blue economy strategy, and cross-sector partnerships with measurable outcomes.

Yes. I work with cities, investors, NGOs, and companies on strategy and practical implementation pathways for ocean restoration, coastal resilience, and blue economy opportunities.

Typical formats include a short intensive (1–3 sessions), project-based work (4–12 weeks), or ongoing advisory support. If you share your goals, timeline, and decision-makers, I’ll suggest what’s most useful.

Yes—when the work is outcome-driven and aligned with credible standards. I care a lot about avoiding greenwashing and focusing on progress that can be measured and sustained.

Often, yes. Please submit requests through the press/media form and include outlet, deadline, topic, format, and any helpful links.

On the press page, which includes downloadable images and official bio versions.

I’m so glad you are wondering about this. It’s one of the most impactful ways our personal choices impact our health and the ocean. Here are some ways you can make a positive difference:

Prioritize smaller, fast-growing fish. Species like sardines, anchovies, and mackerel sit lower on the food chain, reproduce quickly, and provide efficient protein with less ecosystem impact.

Support regenerative aquaculture. Oysters, mussels, clams, and seaweed actually improve water quality and create habitat as they grow. When you buy these, you're supporting a net-positive impact on marine ecosystems.

Demand traceability. Ask where, when, and how your seafood was caught or farmed. Support fishers and farmers who can provide transparent, verifiable data about their practices.

Eat for diversity. Our seafood consumption is concentrated on just a few species—shrimp, salmon, tuna. Expanding your palate to include local, seasonal, and underutilized species reduces pressure on overfished stocks and supports more resilient food systems.

The best choice isn't always the same everywhere. It depends on local ecosystems, fishing practices, and what's in season. But these principles help guide decisions that support recovery rather than just minimizing harm.