March 2026 Speaker

Speaker: Charlie Fasano

Discussion topic: Shark Research Institute of Hawaii

March Location: Sir John's Restaurant

Charlie Fasano - The Explorers Club - International Fellow 2018

Mr. Fasano holds degrees in Marine Biology and Marine Technology and has served as Shark Research Institute’s Hawaii Regional Director and CITES Representative until the passing of TEC member and Exec. Director, Marie Levine. His field work entailed tiger shark photogrammetry and an identification catalogue. His legislative successes are in regulating the international shark fin trade in Asia and the Americas.

His scientific diving career began in coral reef restoration with NOAA in the Florida Keys in 2000. As an underwater cinematographer, he was one of the first to film high-definition underwater footage in Hawaii, has documented autistic children swimming with wild dolphins for medical research, and produced the award-winning film, “Hawaii’s Undersea Ohana.” He was part of a pioneering group of divers who conducted the first explorations of the now famous recreational “Blackwater” night dive. As Executive Director of Wyland's Ocean Artists Society, he became the hub of global marine conservationists and relayed their stories through art. He has contributed marine conservation articles to various imaging and dive travel publications and shared his expertise on ocean conservation and underwater cinematography at numerous conservation and dive expos throughout Asia.

Mr. Fasano will present his photogrammetry field work with tiger sharks in Hawaii and discuss his career as a scientific scuba diver. Shark Research Institute's plight of arresting the global shark fin trade will also be discussed.