It is with great sadness that we announce that underwater photographer, marine biologist, swimmer, fine art photographer and champion of the marine world, Art Haseltine, has died unexpectedly after contracting pneumonia.

I got to know Art during the 2014 Wetpixel Whale Sharks trip. Our boat’s skipper, David, nicknamed him the “Swimming Man.” This was simply because Art spent more time in the water than just about the rest of the boat combined. His quiet enthusiasm for the underwater world was infectious and boundless and he simply loved being in the water.

Art moved to Carmel in 1969, and worked for 22 years as a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game. His specialty involved basic research with shellfish aquaculture at the department’s Granite Canyon laboratory, located south of Carmel on the Big Sur coast.

Since his retirement in 1991, he had been very active with environmental and civic groups to protect central California’s near-shore marine wildlife and habitats. He was also a long time active member of the Northern California Underwater Photographic Society.

The Wetpixel community sends out their thoughts to Art’s family and friends. He will be sorely missed.