Country of residence: Maui, Hawaii, United StatesDiving since: 1996Level/agency of certification: PADI Master Instructor Andrew Raak is a Maui-based underwater photographer, videographer, and professional boat captain whose life revolves around the ocean. Spending hundreds of days on the water each year has given him a unique perspective on marine wildlife and the ability to capture authentic moments with humpback whales, sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, and other ocean life. Andrew has led international underwater photography workshops and expeditions, including Frame and...
Country of residence: CanadaDiving since: 1991Level/agency of certification: PADI Master Diver Dr. Neil Hammerschlag is a marine ecologist, shark researcher, and one of the leading public voices in shark science and conservation. Based in Canada, he is the founder and executive director of the Shark Research Foundation, which advances shark conservation through research, education, and public outreach, and the president of Atlantic Shark Expeditions, a Nova Scotia-based operation that brings the public into direct contact with sharks through cage diving and...
By Rebecca Strauss|Published July 09, 2026|Updated July 16, 2026
Country of residence: USADiving since: 1998Level/agency of certification: PADI AOW/nitroxDr. Craig O'Connell is a shark biologist, marine conservationist, an award-winning inventor, and television host whose research has taken him all over the world to study sharks and other wildlife. He is the founder of O'Seas Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit that combines cutting-edge shark research with hands-on youth education through the Montauk Shark Lab. His work focuses on identifying critical shark nursery areas, developing novel shark protection methods, and connecting the next...