reporting on 71% of our planet's story

who is the ocean journalist?

Hi my name is Nicole Webster and welcome to my world of underwater exploration and storytelling! As a seasoned professional diver and accomplished underwater photographer, my passion is anything and everything Ocean...

mission statement

As an ocean journalist, my mission is to illuminate the vital story of our ocean, revealing its profound impact on all life on Earth. I strive to deliver comprehensive, unbiased coverage through rigorous research, insightful interviews, and captivating media, emphasizing the inescapable connections between humanity and the sea. Ultimately, my goal is to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for our planet's most essential life support system.

Photography

My photography portfolio showcases the beauty of the ocean, captured primarily with ambient light, allowing for greater creative freedom. Each image is a respectful documentation of the ocean's story, and serves as a visual companion to my writing and videos, working together to shed light on the ocean's current state.

journalism

My work has been featured in a variety of online publications, and I am a former contributing writer for DIVER Magazine, even landing a cover story for my first print publication. Beyond writing, I hosted a full season of "The Sunday Staff Debrief" a YouTube series where I interviewed interesting people in scuba diving.

let's collaborate

Do you have a captivating ocean story waiting to be told? Are you searching for a passionate writer, photographer, and storyteller to join your team? I'm ready to help you bring your ocean-related vision to life! Contact me today and let's discuss how we can collaborate to share your unique perspective with the world.

Photography portfolio

the marine life collection

the scuba portraits collection

the freedive collection

journalism portfolio

published stories

photojournalism

Stony coral tissue loss disease

Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) is a highly contagious and devastating disease affecting a wide range of stony coral species in the Caribbean and Florida. It causes rapid tissue loss, leading to coral death and significant damage to coral reef ecosystems. Photographs were used to tell the story because they offer a powerful visual narrative, showcasing the disease's impact, the intricate process of treatment, and the dedication of the divers working to combat it.

Coral restoration

Divers participating in the GoEco program at Utila Dive Center in Honduras play a crucial role in nurturing staghorn coral nurseries, helping to restore fragile reef ecosystems while gaining hands-on experience in marine conservation.

Sargassum

Sargassum has become a pressing issue for coastal communities due to its massive blooms, which can disrupt local ecosystems, hinder tourism, and impact fishing industries by smothering coral reefs and creating foul odors on beaches. Documenting and understanding these changes is crucial for developing effective management strategies, preserving marine biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of communities that depend on healthy coastal environments.

Coral Bleaching

In October 2023, Utila experienced the effects of the fourth mass global coral bleaching event in the last decade, which threatened the vibrant marine ecosystems that depend on healthy coral reefs. Coral bleaching is detrimental because it diminishes biodiversity, disrupts food webs, and compromises the livelihoods of coastal communities reliant on tourism and fishing, ultimately jeopardizing the overall health of ocean environments.

Turtle Conservation

Hawksbill sea turtle conservation is crucial for maintaining the health of coral reef ecosystems, as these turtles help control sponge populations and promote biodiversity. With their numbers dwindling, volunteers are always needed to assist in monitoring nesting sites, conducting outreach, and supporting research efforts to ensure the survival of this endangered species.

Underwater Garbage dump

In some coastal communities, a lack of resources and proper waste management leads to the unfortunate practice of creating garbage dumps in the ocean, severely impacting marine ecosystems. Divers play a crucial role in addressing this crisis by organizing underwater clean-up efforts, removing trash and debris to help restore the health of ocean habitats and protect marine wildlife.

Invasive Lionfish

Invasive lionfish pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, rapidly outcompeting native fish species and disrupting the balance of coral reef habitats. Divers play a crucial role in controlling their population through targeted spearfishing efforts, making them essential participants in the fight to protect coastal ecosystems from this harmful invasive species.

who is the ocean journalist?

Hello there! My name is Nicole Webster and welcome to my world of underwater exploration, reporting, and storytelling! As a seasoned professional diver and accomplished underwater photographer, my passion is anything and everything Ocean. I am a proud alumna of the University of Miami's Journalism program, where I turned my passion for writing and traveling into career skills. As a published journalist, I strive to share the Ocean's narrative, emphasizing that there is never just one cause or reason behind its challenges. Coastlines are my sanctuary, and the ocean is my muse as I continue to dive, document, and educate the world about our precious aquatic habitats.

"The Other Pandemic" / DIVER / Winter 2021
excerpt

While humans are battling an unprecedented pandemic, the corals of the Atlantic and Caribbean are suffering from their own unprecedented disease… Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). A disease so deadly, it can wipe out a 200-year-old coral colony within two months of infection.What began in the waters of Miami-Dade County in 2014, has since spread from the Florida Reef Tract to the Mesoamerican Reef via currents, ballast water, and direct contact. As of November 2021, SCTLD has been confirmed in 20 countries and territories....

"A Magical Life in Utila" / DIVER / Summer 2022
excerpt

I was sitting at my kitchen table, in my little beach home in Miami, when I first discovered a tiny island called Utila. Thanks to the world wide web, gone are the days of having to venture outside your home to discover far away places.I grew up 1,600 kilometers away from the nearest ocean, yet somehow, I have always felt a strong connection towards it. I inexplicably knew, from a very young age, I wanted the ocean to be a big part of my life.Upon graduation from journalism school, my ideas continued to evolve. A light bulb moment came and I thought, “why not combine my passion for journalism and the ocean into one career?” Without hesitation, I opened my computer to discover what it would take to become a professional scuba diver...

"Jewel of the Reef" / DIVER / Spring 2023
excerpt

On this Earth, tucked away in the farthest corners, you can find hidden places. Jewels that are teeming with unique creatures, unbelievable landscapes, and rich cultures. For the indigenous peoples that inhabit these incredible parts of the Earth, it is them, along with scientists and conservationists who are tasked with the near impossible. Protecting these hidden jewels from being exploited, oppressed, and lost to history.Deemed the Caribbean Jewel of the Mesoamerican Reef, Cayos Cochinos sits just off the northern coast of Honduras. It is a National Marine Monument, an archipelago made up of 12 different cays, each one different than the next. The only inhabitants allowed to settle here are an indigenous group called the Garifuna.Ancestors of the Garifunas were taken captive from their lands in West and Central Africa, brought to the Caribbean to be slaves, yet were never documented as such. It is theorized they were survivors of shipwrecks, escaped captivity, and found solace amongst the Caribs of St. Vincent, Guadalupe. Upon arriving in the Caribbean, they mixed with Arawak and Carib, developing into the indigenous group we now know as the Garifuna...

"The Perfect Storm" / DIVER / Summer 2023
excerpt

As sargassum continues to grow in the open ocean, so does its popularity amongst humans. Once it began washing up on beaches in mass quantities, humans began to open their once blind eye to a seaweed species that has been floating, unassumingly, in the open ocean for centuries.Sargassum, first and foremost, is an algae. A seaweed. There are more than 250 different species of sargassum, but only two of those live their entire lives floating in the ocean. It is these two, sargassum natans and sargassum fluitans, that are multiplying by the tons, washing up along coastlines, and causing all the ruckus.Prior to 2011, sargassum was not a well-known species of seaweed. It had its place in some culinary dishes and traditional medicines, but many people would never be able to identify it from a photo.The Sargasso Sea, a region of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by four gyres and has no land, only floating masses of sargassum, has been known to scientists since Christopher Columbus documented it. However, little had ever been studied on a species that reproduces asexually yet on a seasonal cycle and lives its entire life floating in the open ocean, attached to nothing. A biological enigma...