“We tell freshwater stories.”

— FISHWATER FILMS

“Freshwater ecosystems are more diverse than marine or terrestrial, but are being destroyed twice as fast.”

— Tickner et al. (2020) BioScience

“Since 1970, populations of freshwater species have declined by 83%.”

— WWF Living Planet Report 2018

“Freshwater fish are the most threatened species group in South Africa.”

— National Biodiversity Assessment 2018

We use documentary film-making to inspire social and environmental change

FOUNDERS

Dr Jeremy Shelton

Freshwater Ecologist | Film-maker

Jeremy grew up splashing in coastal rock pools and following crabs and tadpoles in a small stream behind his family home in Cape Town. A fascination with nature, encouraged by his dad - a marine biologist - led Jeremy to study conservation biology at the University of Cape Town.

In 2013, he completed a PhD in freshwater biology, and in 2014 he joined the Freshwater Research Centre (FRC) – a Cape Town-based non-profit organisation working as a freshwater biologist and conservationist.

After a decade of research, publishing 15 scientific papers and three book chapters, Jeremy picked up a camera and quickly realized the power of images and visual storytelling in communicating science and affecting conservation action.

Today, he works on a mix of freshwater science and photography assignments as a FRC researcher and National Geographic Explorer, adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to fulfilling South Africa’s need for freshwater awareness.

Dr Otto Whitehead

Ecologist | Film-maker

When the rock pools and coastal forests of his youth merged into the pursuit of a degree in marine ecology, Otto felt his eyes open even wider. Humbled by what he continued to learn about plants and animals, he gained an eternal admiration for the natural world.

Otto’s first major splash with freshwater life was in 2010 when he worked as a lab assistant sorting river invertebrates under the microscope. His savings helped him afford his first camera, which he took to the wild, sub-Antarctic Marion Island, where he spent a year researching - and filming - seabirds.

After completing a PhD at the Fitzpatrick Institute in 2017, he joined the South African National Biodiversity Institute and Nelson Mandela University to tell stories about the ocean. Throughout this time he assisted National Geographic photographer Thomas Peschak on six magazine assignments to some of the wildest corners of the planet. These experiences immensely deepened his love of ecology and storytelling.

Otto is passionate about telling meaningful stories, and freshwater ecosystems need storytellers.