Historical Changes in Southern California Rocky Intertidal Seaweeds and Macroinvertebrates

Wednesday July 29th, 12-1 pM PT

Douglas Klug

“Diver doug”

Capturing the kelp forests around California’s Northern Channel Islands through a lifetime of underwater photography, Douglas Klug has developed an intimate understanding of the kelp forest ecosystem. Doug’s anecdotal snapshots of this amazing underwater world cover both seasonal and environmental fluctuations. Decades of non-stop year-round diving has given Doug a unique opportunity to see the kelp forest through all types of change. Doug talks about how he got where he is, the process of making compelling underwater photographs in the kelp forest, and how those images can be used to preserve and protect the kelp forests for future generations.

Doug is a SCUBA instructor, underwater photographer, and diving writer based in Santa Barbara, California. Since taking his first underwater breaths on certification dives at the Monterey breakwater over 40 years ago, “Diver” Doug has continued to explore California’s waters as well as many tropical destinations. He moved to Santa Barbara at the age of 18 to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara. While there, he fell in love with the easy access to California’s Channel Islands and never left.   His favorite diving destinations are the kelp forests of Southern California’s Channel Islands, where he enjoys photographing the majestic kelp forests, curious marine mammals, and tiny colorful nudibranchs. In addition to kelp forest diving, his adventures have taken him abroad for the sea turtles of the Hawaiian Islands, the great white sharks of Guadalupe Island, the stunning coral walls of the Caribbean, the soft coral reefs of Fiji, and even the humpback whales of Moorea. 

Doug’s photo-essays have been published in print world-wide, including articles in California Diving News, DAN Alert Diver, and Dive Training. Doug’s images have been used in numerous print and digital formats including use by the US National Park Service, US National Marine Sanctuary, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, The Guardian, National Geographic Google, and Microsoft. Doug is also a product ambassador and content contributor for Ikelite, a major US manufacturer of underwater photographic equipment. 

Doug is a recreational SCUBA instructor, holding professional level certifications from NAUI, SSI, PADI, NASDS, and TDI. Doug also participates in volunteer scientific diving for organizations like Reefcheck and the NOAA “Finding Hal” white abalone survey project. When he’s not taking underwater photos, Doug is still active as an underwater guide for divers not familiar with Southern California Diving. He also teaches recreational SCUBA lessons to the next generation of divers through the University of California, Santa Barbara Adventure Program. He conducts underwater photography workshops, and even wrote a NAUI certification course for divers on Southern California nudibranch identification.