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January 25, 2020  |  By admin

Q and A with Kurt Lieber

Kurt Lieber

Why did you start Ocean Defenders Alliance?

At the core is the desire to help animals. I first got my start with nonprofits by combining my love of photography with this desire to help animals. I started diving in Ohio around Cleveland. I would swim in the lake to get in shape, but there were times I would come across huge scholls of dead and dying fish. They had lesions and tumors all over them, and they were often gasping their last breaths. This repeated personal connection with these suffering life forms left me with an innate sense that I had to do something to help them.

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What is the origin story of ODA

I have been working with Sea Shepherd from 1992-2011. During the time I worked as one of the photographers. In 2000 I convinced Sea Shepherd to donate one of their boats so that I could start cleaning up trash in the ocean. The first boat was a 24 footer named the "The Garibaldi". This allowed me to start the work of ODA. In 2007 they donated a 38' former Coast Guard ship named "The Clearwater".


What is your favorite aspect of ODA?

I want to help animals, but I also want to pass on a legacy of having people care. I want people to feel like I've made a difference. I do a lot of speaking at schools and civic groups, and I'm seeing the fruits of my labors come to fruition there. People are being inspired, and are sharing the same passion that I have.

I met a 14 year old girl last year who had her mother drive her two hours to join us for a cleanup. I let her know that we really needed more scuba diving volunteers. This encouraged her to go out and get her certification, and this weekend she is diving with us on our cleanup.


Who inspires you?

Jacques Cousteau was an original influence for me. Then I started having conversations with Sylvia Earle. Her approach is a pragmatic approach to making a change by working with the government. Sylvia is my number one hero. She’s an amazing inspiration for anything that goes on in the ocean.



Where is your favorite nature site?

The kelp forests of California. It’s thrilling to be in the environment where there are over 850 species that thrive. The diversity of life is amazing. Sea otters - you get to find out how they are keystone species. They are missing in San Diego and the urchins are overpopulating and killing the kelp forest. You can tell how important that the sea otters are for the success of this environment.



How can others get involved?

You’ve got to pass on your knowledge, your passion so that others contribute


Get involved with ODA: https://www.oceandefenders.org/get-involved/introduction.html


We're underwater a lot, and need as many divers as we can get. We're lacking solid photographers to come with us on a regular basis.


How has the organization changed through the years?

In the beginning I was covering the cost of everything. It was pretty much me and my friends. I had no vision of being a nonprofit. Then we worked on a squid boat off the coast of California. The LA Times covered the work. It really changed the trajectory of ODA. 



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Matt Hamas and Ben Ivers here. We are focused on fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment. We endeavor to bring you a unique perspective of the wild. Our photos are being placed here for you to enjoy. Please feel free to download any of the photos for your personal use. We are currently seeking partners for printing and developing photos.

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