Luis Antonio Orozco Álvarez | Ocean Advocate | Freediver | Underwater Photographer | La Paz, Baja California SUR
Mexican born Luis is an ocean photographer and advocate hoping to give the ocean a voice.
In 2020, Luis started Sharks4Us, an environmental conservation organisation to raise awareness of sharks, skates, and rays through custom expeditions with an ethical approach in Baja , where 20% goes towards research/conservation.
Image Credit: Sergio Santamaria
When did your ocean/nature storytelling journey begin?
April 2020, during lockdown, I couldn't just stay put. I knew the underwater world needed help and a voice, so I started with the @Sharks4Us project.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
Having a huge garden, with a river nearby, and a fish tank where I had turtles, fish, crabs, lobsters... Since I was 5 years old, I was fascinated by the natural world, and I wanted to know more about it and explore the unknown.
I think that's what made me choose Marine Biology as my career and become a wildlife guide. To be always close to nature, exploring, learning, and sharing with others, my passion for the ocean and why we should ALL care about its health.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
I'm still an undergraduate, due to the pandemic I chose to not be sitting in front of a computer 24/7 and became an expedition leader, started teaching other undergraduates about elasmobranch (sharks & rays) anatomy and working with fishermen to release sharks from nets/hooks, changing their line of work from fishing to ecotourism.
I still want to keep studying, as I believe that as a scientist I can help from another angle, but I will continue to work in the field with the fishermen as well.
It is my belief that fishermen are a sword of two blades, they can be our worst enemies in conservation or our best allies, I'm focused on making them our best allies to protect the ocean.
What/Who currently inspires you?
Valerie Taylor, Dr. Sylvia Earl and Sir David Attenborough. Also many of my friends worldwide that by doing small acts of kindness, they are changing the world.
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking, and that you'd like to recommend to other ocean lovers?
BluePlanet; BluePlanet II; Our Planet; Mission Blue; One Strange Rock; GreatMigrations; Cowspiracy; Seaspiracy…The list goes on…
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
Human consumption. Our way of life is destroying the world, and we must change our daily habits in order to bring balance to the natural world once more. As a plant-based freediver, I advocate for ALL life, not just the pretty ones; my heart beats the same for the largest whale as it does for the smallest shrimp.
What are you currently doing in/around the ocean?
Sharks4Us is a project I started during the COVID lockdown. it started as an encyclopedia of sharks and rays so that people can get to know more species than the basics (white, bull, tiger, giant manta, stingray).
As it kept growing I now have 7 volunteers (national and foreign) and we organise beach cleanups and anatomy labs for students, work with fishermen to release sharks, and we interview different people and projects around the world so people get to know them/us.
We want to start going to schools to talk about conservation and the importance of sharks. Our project is small and slow growing, we are mostly all undergraduate students under 23 years old, but we have much to do, and much to give, and there's no stopping us from caring and loving the ocean!
What legacy do you hope to leave?
To fight for what's right. We are all equals no matter our species, we are all creatures living in the same planet, depending on the same resources. We all have the right to live.
Image Credit: Daniel Galindo
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams?
Keep going.
I've had many jobs since I was in Junior High School (waiter, dental assistant, construction worker, bartender, etc), but conservation...
Conservation is the toughest and most demanding job ever. Physically and mentally. But you gotta keep going, keep reporting, keep sharing, keep learning and teaching. It is painful to be aware of what's happening in our world, but ignorance is worse. You are not alone, and no matter if you think nobody listens to you, someone will eventually. So keep going.
