Tiare Boyes
My life has always revolved around the ocean, whether it was helping my father on his fishing boat or gathering seaweed for my mother's famous gardens. My passion is being immersed in the marine world, both at work and at play. Spending a large part of my life working on dive boats and at secluded dive resorts has allowed me access to some of the most incredible and remote dive sites on our Pacific Coast.
I am a commercially certified occupational scuba diver, and now work as an underwater camera operator or assistant, helping others tell stories from under the waves - direct to your television. I’ve had adventures working productions for the BBC, Netflix, Plimsol, Imagissime Mediawan, Canada Wild and Water Worlds.
I completed my Masters in Marine and Coastal Management from the University of Akureyri, Iceland. Ensuring our marine environment is respected and well-taken care of is paramount to our survival on this watery planet. I believe in conservation and respectful utilization of our marine resources to help address world food security.
I have been turning marine debris, mostly lost fishing buoys, into art work since 2018. I find a lot of meaning from taking garbage and turning it into art.
I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to work as an Ocean Ambassador with the Marine Stewardship Council, helping them on their mission to end overfishing and to contribute to the health of the world's oceans by recognizing and rewarding sustainable fishing practices.
Spreading my love of all things fishy has driven my photography. I have had imagery and written articles published in newspapers and magazines, including a cover feature for DIVER magazine. I hope to show you not only the beauty of our chilly Pacific waters but some of the personalities you can encounter down there. Each species of marine organism has an incredible story to tell, from amazing adaptations, dazzling colours to intricate courtship rituals, there is a lifetime of learning to be found below the waves.
Photo credits: All images on this site of me were graciously donated by Maxwel Hohn, Andrew McCurdy, Russell Clark , Ali Parker. Check out their websites by clicking above.
Proud to be appointed a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Commercial occupational scuba diver with experience in documentary filmmaking (with valid dive medical)
Experienced cold water, Arctic, and tropical water diving
Camera Operator - Back Road Productions
Camera Operator - Water Worlds, by CIA Solutions
B-Cam Operator - Hoghead Media docu-series
B-Cam Operator - Canada Wild art installation
Underwater Camera Assistant - Netflix Animals
Underwater Camera Assistant- Apple TV Big Beasts
Underwater fixer and onscreen talent - Imagissime Mediawan
Onscreen talent - BBC Our Blue Planet VR Canada
Divemaster and Dive Safety Management (10+ years); ensuring safety of divers in remote cold water diving locations, under extreme weather and ocean current conditions. Maintain air compressors, dive equipment and safety gear in remote locations. Experienced in marine species and biological identification.
Commercial diving experience; herring spawn surveys, kelp survey and restoration, ghost net removal, scientific surveys, lighthouse, vessel and dock maintenance.
Commercial fisher (20+ years); at-sea fresh fish capture and processing, hauling and prepping gear, watch keeping and navigation, boat and gear maintenance, safety supervisor.
Ocean Ambassador with The Marine Stewardship Council
Advisory Board Member- Early Career Ocean Professionals Network- UN Ocean Decade Initiative
Former Executive Director of the B.C. Tuna Fishermen’s Association
Masters of Marine Resource Management, Natural Resource Science, University of Akureyri, Iceland
B.A. Major, Environmental Studies, University of Victoria
Elected a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Occupational SCUBA Diver (CSA standards Z275.4 and Z275.5 from Divesafe International)
Oxygen Therapy and Dive Accident Management Certificates
Current Dive Certificate of Medical Fitness
Primary Care (CPR) and Secondary Care (First Aid) Emergency First Response Certified (Marine Basic First Aid)
Small Passenger Carrying Vessel Safety Marine Emergency Duties A2
Small, Non-Pleasure Vessel Operator’s Certification (SVOP)
PADI SCUBA Divemaster, Rescue Diver, Enriched Air Diver
PADI Tech 45 and Trimix
British Columbia class 5 driver’s license
UASBC Underwater Archaeology certificate
Intermediate Spanish speaker
Beginner ASL Sign Language
Currently learning to play the wooden spoons
Recycling ocean garbage into ocean art brings me peace and helps me spread my passion that comes from marine life
Wandering our incredible planet with a camera in hand helps me connect with local environments and share the incredible beauty with others.
Keeping watch on a commercial fishing vessel is a huge responsibility, and one I enjoy immensely!
My father and I with our family's fishing and research vessel Borealis I
Come wind, rain or snow - the production must go on!
Removing ego and pride from the equation makes you a more valuable team member
Hahaha, I do enjoy getting into mischief!
Conducting a press check for my DIVER magazine cover image and feature
Underwater lighting and on screen guiding with BBC using full face masks and communications
Canada strong! We're prepped for all conditions on the west coast!
Ready to capture some unique marine life behaviours
It was an absolute honour to speak on the Sustainable Development Goal 14- Life Below the water at the United Nations in New York
This day was a blast! I got to dive with a full Mark Five hard hat set up from the 1800's- exhausting but exhilarating!
Talking on the importance of sustainable fishing and youth at the Committee on World Food Security at the FAO in Rome - I believe you have to be the change you want to see and that the world is run by those who show up
Underwater and under pressure - no place I'd rather be with my camera