Framing the ocean's heartbeat.

In the year 2015, I worked as a correspondent for the Ecuadorian Government on a National Geographic expedition to the Galapagos National Park. The mission of the expedition was to help protect the pristine marine ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands. This esteemed project, led by Dr. Enric Sala, aimed to examine and document the biomass of this marine treasure to advocate for increased protection of the northern islands.

During the three-week expedition, our team of divers and researchers used underwater cameras, drop cameras, pelagic cams, drones, and 360-degree cams to document as much information as possible about the Galapagos Islands.

In the year 2018, I directed a second film named Socorro Evolution in Mexico. The mission of the expedition was to help promote the pristine marine ecosystem of the Revillagigedo Islands. I led this team with some of the best free divers in the world, supported by Cressi and the son of Jacques Mayol (Yaques Mayol). The documentary is available on iTunes, Amazon Prime, and Google Play.

The expedition Socorro Evolution, which took place in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, delivers a positive message about the conservation of marine species and the coexistence of humans through sustainable development. Can we all learn to coexist with nature within our lifetime before we destroy it?

Roberto in the year of 2018 directed a second Film named Socorro Evolution. (Mexico) The mission of the expedition was to help promote the pristine marine ecosystem of the Revillagigedo Islands. Roberto led this team with (The best free divers in the world) supported by Cressi and the son of Jaques Mayol (Yaques Mayol) Documentary available in iTunes, Amazon Prime and Google Play.

The expedition "Socorro Evolution" in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site delivers a positive message about the conservation of marine species and the coexistence of humans through sustainable development. Can we all learn to co-exist with nature within our lifetime befores we destroy?

According to me, one of the most amazing revelations of the expedition was the interaction of marine animals with the freedivers. For many marine species, this was their first encounter with freedivers, and they seemed to consider us fellow denizens of the deep – probably because, unlike scuba divers, we were silent, so the marine animals responded to us in a totally different manner. It was particularly fascinating to watch the reactions of the hammerhead sharks. They seemed far more curious than cautious when they encountered us and didn’t hesitate to interact. It resulted in truly magical moments captured on film.

For me, it was a great honor to work with the Pristine Seas project and help champion the protection of such an important marine park. My dream is to use my experience and skills as an underwater cameraman to ignite a conversation about the future of our oceans, particularly the rich waters of my home country, Ecuador.

I have been working in Ecuador with the Marine Megafauna Foundation to protect manta rays. Specifically, I have used my media contacts to help promote the work of Dr. Andrea Marshall, another National Geographic explorer, and her team of researchers to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of manta rays in the country.

Ecuador hosts some of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. The Galapagos Islands are home to 2,900 known species of fish and marine animals. Not to mention endemic seabirds, the world’s only marine iguana and the only penguin population that lives north of the equator. Of these species 57 are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

As one of the most important marine parks in the world, we need to bolster the protection of its marine wildlife so it can live and thrive without human threats or intervention.

Roberto is been supporting Charles Darwin Foundation, Conservation Internacional Ecuador, Only One and Foundation Jocotoco.

Director of the documentaries: Socorro Evolution, Galapagos Evolution. Creator and Director of Bucketlistec.

Supported by: Avianca, The North Face, Gopro, DJI, Cressi Italia, Ministerio de Turismo del Ecuador, Samsung and Corona Studios.