Special note to DEMA participants: Please join the staff of Scuba Diving magazine as we celebrate Sea Heroes past and present, 3 p.m. Nov. 15, 2012, at the Bonnier Dive Booth.

As we prepare to honor our 2012 Sea Hero of the Year, Jill Heinerth, at the 2012 DEMA Show on Nov. 15, we thought we'd take a look back at all the Sea Heroes from 2012. Scuba Diving magazine thanks all the Heroes for their hard work and dedication to marine conservation. And we especially thank Oris, Sea Heroes sponsor, who provide an Oris TTI Diver’s Date watch (worth $1,595) for each monthly winner and a $5,000 award for the Sea Hero of the Year.

• Since her award, Sept/Oct 2012 Sea Hero Jill Heinerth has been chosen as Sea Hero of the Year, 2012, for her documentary filmmaking with project “We are Water” and widespread education about fresh water resources all over the world. Beginning in May, Heinerth will be riding her bike from Vancouver to Newfoundland as part of the Great Water Cycle project. Read her interview here: /keywords/marine-conservation/currents-sea-hero-year-2012-jill-heinerth. Visit her website here: www.wearewateproject.com.

• Since her award, August 2012 Sea Hero Julie Andersen has planned and led a two-month campaign in the South Pacific to educate and reach out to others about shark finning. The campaign was a joint effort between Shark Angels and Sea Shepherd. Andersen has started three nonprofit conservation organizations in the past five years. Her work with Shark Angels is what got her a spot as a Hero. Read her interview here: /keywords/marine-conservation/sea-heroes-julie-andersen-august-2012. Visit her website here: www.sharkangels.org.

• Since his award, July 2012 Sea Hero Brian Skerry has been working on his new venture, the New England Ocean Odyssey. The Odyssey partners with the Conservation Law Foundation to document sea life in key places in the region and build an alliance for conservation. His photography brings attention to the issues that endanger our seas. Read his interview here: /article/news/sea-heroes-brian-skerry-july-2012. Visit his website at www.brianskerry.com or read about his latest project at www.newenglandoceanodyssey.org.

• Since her award, June 2012 Sea Hero Patricia Ramirez has expanded the Splash Kids Club in Belize, allowing her to take on more students than before. Through the club, kids are becoming certified junior open water divers for free while also learning about the importance of protecting the marine environment. Diving and sustainable tourism in Belize is Ramirez’s goal as she teaches the kids about conservation. Read her interview here: /article/news/sea-heroes-patricia-ramirez-june-2012. Visit her website here: www.splashbelize.com.

• Since her award, May 2012 Sea Hero Casey Sokolovic has inspired a coffee called “Fair-Trade Organic Sea Turtle Blend” by Joe Van Gogh coffee. It was chosen as one of four Joe Van Gogh coffees to be sold at Fresh Market locations everywhere. 10 percent of net profits goes to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail, NC. At age 8, Sokolovic began Love a Sea Turtle, or L.A.S.T., which is dedicated to preserving the world’s sea turtle population, inspiring our youth to get involved and providing environmental educational summer camp programs for local Boys & Girls Clubs. Read her interview here: /keywords/marine-conservation/sea-hero-casey-sokolovic-may-2012. Visit her website here: http://loveaseaturtle.com/.

What is a Sea Hero?

The Sea Heroes Award is sponsored by Scuba Diving magazine and Oris Watches. Each Sea Hero featured in Scuba Diving receives an Oris Diver’s Date watch (worth $1,595). At the end of the year, a panel of judges selects one overall winner, who receives a $5,000 cash award from Oris to further his or her work. Nominate a Sea Hero here.

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