Jim Abernethy – Conservationist, Photographer, Filmmaker and Author
Jim Abernethy – Conservationist, Photographer, Filmmaker and Author
Jim Abernethy is an award-winning author, photographer, cinematographer and conservationist who pioneered shark encounters without a cage. Starting at a young age, scuba diving served as an inspiration for his life’s mission as a conservationist.
For decades, he has been leading photography/videography expeditions to engage with the world’s largest predatory sharks – Abernethy hosts cage-free dive expeditions (day/night) with tiger, great hammerheads, oceanic white tips, bull, and lemon sharks – he is best known as an extremely passionate crusader for their protection and has received numerous awards for his lifelong dedication as a marine life conservationist. To see him in action with a 14 ft. tiger shark, visit the video link:
The “Marine Life Art Gallery” in West Palm Beach, Florida, is where his captiv
ating images and educational books are on display and available for purchase. When Jim’s not below sea level, he is often seen piloting his ultra-light, “Oversear,” in order to capture nature at sea with his lens from an aerial perspective. While Abernethy is well known as a photographer and passionate conservationist, he is also celebrated for his unique ability to bring divers from around the world up close to some of the ocean’s largest predatory sharks –in turn, his clients are often inspired to become passionate ambassadors for sharks and our oceans at large.
Jim’s relentless efforts around conservation have resulted in the creation of two non-profits: WildlifeVOICE and Operation Blue Pride. The mission of Operation Blue Pride is to save both
veterans and our ocean’s creatures through in-water activities, wildlife encounters, education, and collaboration. This is all done in an effort to inspire action around these important issues. WildlifeVOICE seeks to engage and educate our youth, as well as physically challenged people, (Project Seahor
se & Rising Tide – Shark Pride) by introducing them to our oceans and inspiring them to become “ocean ambassadors.” Jim mostly lives at sea, in the Bahamas, running shark expeditions and wild dolphin encounters year round on his boat, “Shear Water,” but is often booked for educational presentations when he’s spending time on land. His dive business, Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures Inc., is based in West Palm Beach, FL.
Jim Abernethy works in partnership with National Geographic Creative as stock agent for some of his most amazing images. Click to view Jim’s National Geographic Creative gallery.
USCG 100-Ton Captain / TDI Nitrox Blending Technician / PADI Divemaster and Retired Instructor / Photographer/Filmaker/Author/Conservationist