Rob Stewart is a renowned biologist, photographer, conservationist, and filmmaker who has made a significant impact in the world of environmental conservation. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Stewart's fascination with the underwater world began at the tender age of 13, when he started photographing marine life.
As he grew older, Stewart's passion for the ocean only intensified, and he went on to become a scuba instructor by the age of 18. He then pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, studying in Ontario, Jamaica, and Kenya. This academic background laid the foundation for his future work as a conservationist and filmmaker.
Before creating his award-winning documentary Sharkwater, Stewart spent four years traveling the world as the chief photographer for the Canadian Wildlife Federation's magazines. During this time, he led expeditions to remote areas, logging thousands of hours underwater and utilizing the latest camera and rebreather technologies.
Stewart's incredible images have appeared in nearly every media form worldwide, making him a highly sought-after photographer. However, it was his discovery of illegal longlining in the Galapagos Islands that sparked a change in his career. Witnessing the devastating impact of this practice on shark populations, Stewart decided to create a film to raise awareness about the importance of shark conservation.
At the age of 22, Stewart left his photography career behind and embarked on a four-year journey to create Sharkwater. This film took him to 12 countries, where he encountered life-threatening obstacles, including diseases such as West Nile, Tuberculosis, Dengue Fever, and flesh-eating disease.
Despite these challenges, Sharkwater became a huge success, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and winning numerous awards. The film made history by being the most award-winning documentary of the year, winning over 35 awards at prestigious film festivals worldwide.
Stewart's work extends beyond filmmaking, as he continues to work towards environmental education and conservation. He has written a hardcover book, Sharkwater: An Odyssey to Save the Planet, and is set to release another book, Save the Humans, in the Fall of 2012.
Stewart is also a sought-after speaker, having given talks at the University of Victoria, Yale University, Vancouver Aquarium, ROM, and various TEDx events. He is a board member of several conservation groups, including WildAid, Shark Savers, and the Shark Research Institute, and has recently founded his own charity, United Conservationists.
Stewart has made appearances on numerous high-profile TV shows, including Larry King Live, The Today Show, Tonight Show, The Late Show, Nightline, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, ET Canada, Bloomberg, and BBC1. In a 2011 The Grid Magazine survey, he was voted top living resident for making Toronto a better place.
Currently, Stewart is working on his second film, Revolution, which is set to be released in theaters in 2013, accompanied by a rich digital media component and a How-to Guide to save humanity.
