SPEAKERS

David Harasti

Dave Harasti is a marine scientist in Australia who has been working on threatened marine species (sharks, seahorses and fish) for the past 10 years. Dave is currently doing his PhD in his spare time on the conservation of seahorses and is examining the role that marine protected areas could provide in their protection.

He has been diving for 11 years and in that time he has developed a passion for marine life and underwater photography.

His photography has been internationally recognised. He has recently won several major photography competitions including the Australasian Digital Photographer of the Year 2003, the Australasian Digital Download 2004, Dive OZ Digital Shootout 2004 and the 2005 OZTek Underwater Photo Competition. Dave's digital underwater system of choice is a Nikon D300 in an Ikelite housing with dual Ikelite DS125 strobes.

He has been fortunate enough to dive in many locations around the world with his favourite destinations being Papua New Guinea, Rowley Shoals and Northern Sulawesi. His favourite dive sites however are located in his backyard with the fabulous shore diving of Nelson Bay where he is constantly looking for rare and exotic critters!

He is also co-author of the marine identification guide, 'Marine Life of Bootless Bay - Papua New Guinea', released in February 2008, that contains over 900 images of different marine species.

More of his work can be seen at his website: www.daveharasti.com