Nathalie's work as an ocean expert at WWF focuses on one goal: reducing human impact on cetaceans and other marine animals. Through the international Protecting Whales and Dolphins initiative, Nathalie is committed to solutions to threats such as underwater noise and entanglement in fishing nets. For example, she contributes to
WWF contributes to the protection of oceans and everything that lives in them. She is happy to tell you more about her (field) work in her blogs on www.wwf.nl.

It will be an interactive session! Not a one-way presentation, but a conversation with a journalist in which the audience will also be involved. And there will certainly be an opportunity to ask questions. The conversation will be supported by spectacular images.

Peter de Maagt is a passionate Dutch underwater photographer and active diver, who uses his love for the underwater world to contribute to the protection and preservation of the marine environment. His impressive work has been published in renowned magazines such as Duiken, Onderwatersport, Shark Diver, Dive Style, Diver UK, Scuba Diving, Scubashooter and Asian Diver.
Over the years Peter has built up a huge expertise with different types of cameras, starting with simple point-and-shoot models and later working with professional Nikon SLRs. He has participated in prestigious photo competitions such as Ocean Geographics, Scubashooters, SIPA, OASIS and Nature Photographer of the Year, winning multiple awards.

His photographic adventures have taken him all over the world, from tropical destinations such as Egypt, Indonesia and the Maldives to challenging, cold waters such as Spitsbergen, Greenland and Antarctica. He loves to share his unique experiences with others during lectures and workshops, inspiring both beginners and advanced photographers to get the most out of their underwater photography.

In addition to his work as a photographer, Peter has applied his expertise at the European Space Agency (ESA) where he worked on the development of innovative shark tracking technologies, combining his professional skills with his commitment to shark conservation.

Peter is also active on social media, where he regularly shares his beautiful photos and personal experiences. For a special impression of his work, you can watch the video Terra or Aqua?, in which Peter and astronaut André Kuipers capture the breathtaking beauty of the ocean.

With his unique combination of technical knowledge, creative vision and passion for nature conservation, Peter de Maagt promises to make an inspiring contribution as a guest speaker. Don't miss his lecture!

I will take you on a journey and share some of my experiences to inspire you and show you the possibilities of what you can achieve, but also how you can get there. Technical diving is often treated as a bit tough and secretive, but that is not so bad. It is, if you have the motivation, very accessible to go a step further underwater. And with that motivation I will try to contribute my bit. Of course it is possible to ask all your questions or to have a personal conversation afterwards.

Jeroen Bijmans is a diving instructor and passionate cave diver. His diving adventure began as a child in a subtropical swimming paradise in Weert, where he discovered his fascination for diving. He is now a NOB 2-star instructor and runs his own diving school Decostop.nl, specialized in technical diving training.

Jeroen's great love is cave diving, where adventure, technology and nature come together. He regularly dives in the thermal caves of Molnár János under Budapest, the caves in southern France and the vast mine systems of Germany. His annual trips to Malta combine wreck and technical dives, where he passes on his knowledge to students.

During Duikvaker 2025, Jeroen will share his passion for cave diving in an inspiring presentation about the beautiful Molnár János cave and the Kobanya mine. His stories and impressive photos will take you to hidden worlds underground, where adventure and discovery are central. A lecture you should not miss!

Carl van Dijk is a passionate diver with a special love for shipwrecks and underwater archaeology. His adventures often take him to the Wadden Sea and the North Sea, where he investigates historical wrecks and unearths stories. From 17th century wooden ships to modern finds such as the Palmhout Wreck, Carl sees every wreck as a time capsule that reveals valuable secrets.

His expertise and involvement in special projects, such as the discovery of the German U31 submarine, have made him an established name in the world of underwater research. A highlight of his career was his participation in the final archaeological investigation of the Roman wreck at Albenga. Here he had a unique diving experience among thousands of amphorae, of which he made impressive film footage.

During Duikvaker 2025 Carl will share his knowledge and passion in an inspiring presentation about the 2000 year old shipwreck of Albenga. Don't miss it!

Sebastian has been freediving for six years. In the beginning, he focused on training in the pool and open water to master the technique. His favorite discipline in both the pool and in the deep is swimming with a monofin. A freedive competition is for Sebastian mainly a competition with himself. He always tries to get further than he has been before. He uses the tension he experiences during competitions to get more focus, which makes it easier for him to push his limits. Because of the experience he gained during the AIDA World Cup freediving depth, he wants to participate in a World Cup more often.

Deep underground, in the cold darkness of a French cave complex, Anton van Rosmalen feels like a fish in water. For over forty years, he has been exploring places where no one has ever been before. What started as a hobby in the 1980s has grown into a lifelong passion for exploring subterranean passageways.

In the world of technical diving, Anton is known for his exceptional experience and precision. His work at the Évent de Coudoulière in the South of France shows what he is all about: with patience and precision, he maps these underwater labyrinths. He does this not just for the adventure - his knowledge helps local communities protect their precious water resources.

When you ask Anton about his secret, he always emphasizes the importance of teamwork and thorough preparation. There is no room for egos in a cave, he often says. This is a lesson he passes on to new generations of divers, along with his passion for innovation and safety. What once started as a personal adventure has now taken on a much greater meaning - for science, the environment and the diving community worldwide.

Ben Stiefelhagen has been diving for over 52 years and has made more than 6,000 dives worldwide. His great passion is wreck diving all over the world. After 32 years of diving on the entire North Sea, he has seen countless wrecks and first started by removing old fishing nets, fishing lines and waste. To tackle it on a larger scale, he founded the Stichting Duik de Noordzee Schoon (Dive the North Sea Clean) 12 years ago. In the meantime, more than 50 very experienced North Sea divers have joined and together they have brought more than 100,000 kg. of nets, fishing lines and waste ashore.

Bex Carter is Director of Conservation Programs for the Manta Trust; a UK-registered charity working globally to conserve manta rays, their relatives and their habitats. A passionate scuba diver and freediver, Bex has worked in marine conservation for nearly fifteen years and has spent time conducting field research on manta rays in French Polynesia, the Maldives and the Mexico Caribbean.

Guy Thomas is an expert Diving and First Aid Instructor Trainer and works full-time as Director of Safety Programs at DAN Europe, where he is responsible for the development and implementation of DAN Europe Safety Initiatives. He is also a member of the Special Rescue Team of the Italian Red Cross and works as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer/Diving Paramedic, on board a SAR helicopter of the Italian State Police.

Bas learned to dive in 1993 at NOB association Calypso in Leiden and became a PADI instructor in 2001. Since 2012, Bas has only given technical diving courses. First via NAUI and since 2019 via TDI. He has dived all over the world, from the Dutch North Sea, Scotland, Norway, Croatia, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Philippines, Bali, Malaysian Borneo, Truk Lagoon, Italy, Indonesia etc. Bas is a TDI Full trimix instructor and MOD 3 diver at the JJCCR and owner of Black Marlin Technical Dive Training. Bas is often asked to speak at Duikvaker, DuikenInBeeld, Wij Duiken Veilig, DiveExpo and Baltic Tech. In addition to diving, he is a consultant/trainer crisis management and instructor survival at sea. Bas can be found at Duikvaker at the Scuba Academy stand

Jeanette Kamphuis has been diving for 29 years and for 27 years in the Netherlands. Zeeland is her favorite. The rich underwater life in the Oosterschelde and the Grevelingen never bores her.

She has been an instructor for ten years and started underwater filming in 2011. This is where she can express her creativity. Jeanette combines her love for nature with her interest in language, music and drawing. And she has a great interest in what moves people and animals. These interests come together in her underwater stories.

Role & Responsibilities : - Diving Center Manager
- Organization and overseeing diving operations (daily diving, courses, introduction dives)
- Secure smooth operation regarding the local authorities
- Customer relations
- Problem solving
- Staff planning (including boat crews)

Relevant Experience:
- Management experience since 2021
- ⁠PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
- ⁠SSI Divemaster Instructor
- ⁠CDWS Technical Manager

What sets her apart:
- More than 7 years experience in the Egyptian diving business.
- Knowing the area of Marsa Alam and Hurghada regarding all different dive sites.
- Strong experience in teaching dive courses according to PADI and SSI standards as well as local regulations regarding the CDWS.
- Customer and business oriented

Sacha Lobenstein is a Canarian underwater photographer born in the Island of Tenerife. He has participated in major underwater photography championships, winning titles like Spain and Canary Islands Champion. He has won several prizes like the National Geographic H2Ocean Contest, Spanish First National Biodiversity Festival, Open Fotosub El Hierro or Open Fotosub Lanzarote Mar de Lava. He regularly contributes with publications such as diving guides, tourist guides, research papers, doctoral theses or diving and underwater photography specialized magazine covers and expositions like NaturaJazz at the Museum of Nature and Man of Tenerife. He is co-author of the Canary Islands Fish Guide, a guide with photos, texts and illustrations of the main 202 species of fish that live between 0-50 m deep in the Canarian coasts.

Grew up in the Danish minority in South Schleswig (Germany). Moved to Denmark in 1998 and was originally trained as a forester (forest worker, with a focus on biodiversity and close-to-nature forestry), later studied a Diploma of Park Engineering and Management. He has previously worked in both the public sector and the private sector. Started as a diver in 2003 (under PADI) and is today co-owner of the diving center Blivdykker.dk as well as Course Director. He has 1000+ dives in the Little Belt, but there is still something new to discover on every dive.

Busiest man here in Carey. He was born in Mexico City in 1971 and moved to La Paz with his family in 1977. He is currently a SNSI Instructor Evaluator with the highest level in the recreational diving industry. In addition to diving, Gabriel is a First Aid Instructor Instructor and Business Consultant. Gabriel has put all his work and experience to create a company that provides its guests with a safe and impeccable service, always respecting the natural environment. Gabriel, has made an effort to maintain a family-operated company, capable of controlling the quality and warmth of all our guests.

Husam Alnajjar, CEO & founder of Ocean Breeze Liveaboards. PADI OWSI and have been diving since 2008 in the red sea in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Busiest man here in Carey. He was born in Mexico City in 1971 and moved to La Paz with his family in 1977. He is currently a SNSI Instructor Evaluator with the highest level in the recreational diving industry. In addition to diving, Gabriel is a First Aid Instructor Instructor and Business Consultant. Gabriel has put all his work and experience to create a company that provides its guests with a safe and impeccable service, always respecting the natural environment. Gabriel, has made an effort to maintain a family-operated company, capable of controlling the quality and warmth of all our guests.

Max, the CMO at Temple Point Resort, is a seasoned expert in curating unforgettable safari experiences and an avid scuba diver with over 20 years of underwater exploration. Passionate about showcasing Kenya's diverse landscapes, from its vibrant marine life to its iconic wildlife, Max blends professional acumen with a love for adventure to create unparalleled travel experiences.

A Film by FABIO PALMIERI

I started diving in 2004. Got all kinds of certificates from different organizations like PADI, IANTD, GUE, NOB, you name it. At one point I thought I had seen it all. My wife Lia, who also dives, gave me a simple action camera in 2014.

And that's how it all started. I turned out to love filming, and soon I even participated in the Dutch underwater video championship. I slowly bought better cameras and video lights and eventually became Dutch champion in the masters class in 2020 and 2021. And it was precisely those competitions that shaped me as a filmmaker and that's when I decided to make my first documentary. And what could be a better and more fitting subject than the Bergsediepsluis, where I live 10 minutes away and dive very often. And because I am often asked what there is to see in that dark water, I wanted to make all the beauty visible to people who have no idea, for everyone who is curious about the underwater life in Zeeland.

When you see Rob Idema in action at the Vinkeveense Plassen, you immediately notice his infectious enthusiasm for nature. He regularly explores the underwater world of the lakes, where he searches for the nocturnal life of pike and the rare burbot among the water plants.
Rob knows the hidden gems of nature reserves like Botshol and the Vinkeveense Plassen like no other. During his work as a nature guide, he takes people on a journey of discovery through these water-rich areas. With an eye for detail, he points out special plants along the banks, tells about endangered species and explains the influence of exotic species such as the American crayfish on the area.
His years of experience as an ecologist and researcher come to life in the stories he tells. Whether it is a lecture for a full room or a walk with a small group - Rob knows how to take his audience into the fascinating world of the Dutch marshes and lakes. With his knowledge and enthusiasm he inspires others to commit themselves to the preservation of these special natural areas.

It will be an interactive session! Not a one-way presentation, but a conversation with a journalist in which the audience will also be involved. And there will certainly be an opportunity to ask questions. The conversation will be supported by spectacular images.

Wisdom comes with age! In the past I often went on hardcore diving holidays alone and didn't have time to visit the country. When I had one of the most fantastic snorkelling holidays in Sri Lanka, a guide said to me: you don't have to dive to experience all this and you will miss all the beauty on land if you go home now. That has always stayed with me. If you snorkel and also spend some time on land, the holiday becomes a lot less selfish. Hopefully I can show in my presentation that you also come home with very beautiful photos if you only snorkel. There are enough examples to be found; orcas in Norway, whales in Sri Lanka, gannets in the Shetlands and so on.

Sander Evering has been working in the diving industry for over 20 years as both a sports and professional diver. As a sports diver he has a background as a Padi, IANTD and GUE instructor and gives various trainings for his company Dive Solutions. As a professional diver he works for JFD as a trainer and test pilot for underwater transportation for military divers. With his education as a physical education teacher (ALO) teaching has become part of his DNA. www.divesolutions.nl

Jeroen Bijmans is a diving instructor and passionate cave diver. His diving adventure began as a child in a subtropical swimming paradise in Weert, where he discovered his fascination for diving. He is now a NOB 2-star instructor and runs his own diving school Decostop.nl, specialized in technical diving training.

Jeroen's great love is cave diving, where adventure, technology and nature come together. He regularly dives in the thermal caves of Molnár János under Budapest, the caves in southern France and the vast mine systems of Germany. His annual trips to Malta combine wreck and technical dives, where he passes on his knowledge to students.

During Duikvaker 2025, Jeroen will share his passion for cave diving in an inspiring presentation about the beautiful Molnár János cave and the Kobanya mine. His stories and impressive photos will take you to hidden worlds underground, where adventure and discovery are central. A lecture you should not miss!

Carl van Dijk is a passionate diver with a special love for shipwrecks and underwater archaeology. His adventures often take him to the Wadden Sea and the North Sea, where he investigates historical wrecks and unearths stories. From 17th century wooden ships to modern finds such as the Palmhout Wreck, Carl sees every wreck as a time capsule that reveals valuable secrets.

His expertise and involvement in special projects, such as the discovery of the German U31 submarine, have made him an established name in the world of underwater research. A highlight of his career was his participation in the final archaeological investigation of the Roman wreck at Albenga. Here he had a unique diving experience among thousands of amphorae, of which he made impressive film footage.

During Duikvaker 2025 Carl will share his knowledge and passion in an inspiring presentation about the 2000 year old shipwreck of Albenga. Don't miss it!

Sebastian has been freediving for six years. In the beginning, he focused on training in the pool and open water to master the technique. His favorite discipline in both the pool and in the deep is swimming with a monofin. A freedive competition is for Sebastian mainly a competition with himself. He always tries to get further than he has been before. He uses the tension he experiences during competitions to get more focus, which makes it easier for him to push his limits. Because of the experience he gained during the AIDA World Cup freediving depth, he wants to participate in a World Cup more often.

Deep underground, in the cold darkness of a French cave system, Anton van Rosmalen feels like a fish in water. For over forty years, he has been exploring places no one has ever been before. What started as a hobby in the 1980s has grown into a lifelong passion for exploring subterranean passageways.¶¶In the world of technical diving, Anton is known for his exceptional experience and precision. His work at the Évent de Coudoulière in southern France shows what he is all about: mapping these underwater labyrinths with patience and precision. He does it not just for the adventure - his knowledge helps local communities protect their precious water resources.¶¶When you ask Anton about his secret, he always emphasizes the importance of teamwork and thorough preparation. There is no room for egos in a cave, he often says. It is a lesson he passes on to new generations of divers, along with his passion for innovation and safety. What once began as a personal adventure has taken on a much greater significance – for science, the environment and the diving community worldwide.

Bas learned to dive in 1993 at NOB association Calypso in Leiden and became a PADI instructor in 2001. Since 2012, Bas has only given technical diving courses. First via NAUI and since 2019 via TDI. He has dived all over the world, from the Dutch North Sea, Scotland, Norway, Croatia, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Philippines, Bali, Malaysian Borneo, Truk Lagoon, Italy, Indonesia etc. Bas is a TDI Full trimix instructor and MOD 3 diver at the JJCCR and owner of Black Marlin Technical Dive Training. Bas is often asked to speak at Duikvaker, DuikenInBeeld, Wij Duiken Veilig, DiveExpo and Baltic Tech. In addition to diving, he is a consultant/trainer crisis management and instructor survival at sea. Bas can be found at Duikvaker at the Scuba Academy stand

Ben Stiefelhagen has been diving for over 52 years and has made more than 6,000 dives worldwide. His great passion is wreck diving all over the world. After 32 years of diving on the entire North Sea, he has seen countless wrecks and first started by removing old fishing nets, fishing lines and waste. To tackle it on a larger scale, he founded the Stichting Duik de Noordzee Schoon (Dive the North Sea Clean) 12 years ago. In the meantime, more than 50 very experienced North Sea divers have joined and together they have brought more than 100,000 kg. of nets, fishing lines and waste ashore.

Marcel Tanke (1952) is a native of Tukker, from Hengelo, Overijssel, who lived in Asia for 12 years. During that period he learned to dive and discovered sea slugs. He is a diving instructor and has done some 1700 dives at sea all over the world. And still counting. Sea slugs have become a hobby within a hobby. In his current place of residence Emmen he teaches members, students and the physically disabled as a member of the diving association De Emmerduikers.

Guy Thomas is an expert Diving and First Aid Instructor Trainer and works full-time as Director of Safety Programs at DAN Europe, where he is responsible for the development and implementation of DAN Europe Safety Initiatives. He is also a member of the Special Rescue Team of the Italian Red Cross and works as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer/Diving Paramedic, on board a SAR helicopter of the Italian State Police.

Bex Carter is Director of Conservation Programs for the Manta Trust; a UK-registered charity working globally to conserve manta rays, their relatives and their habitats. A passionate scuba diver and freediver, Bex has worked in marine conservation for nearly fifteen years and has spent time conducting field research on manta rays in French Polynesia, the Maldives and the Mexico Caribbean.

Jeanette Kamphuis has been diving for 29 years and for 27 years in the Netherlands. Zeeland is her favorite. The rich underwater life in the Oosterschelde and the Grevelingen never bores her.

She has been an instructor for ten years and started underwater filming in 2011. This is where she can express her creativity. Jeanette combines her love for nature with her interest in language, music and drawing. And she has a great interest in what moves people and animals. These interests come together in her underwater stories.

Role & Responsibilities : - Diving Center Manager
- Organization and overseeing diving operations (daily diving, courses, introduction dives)
- Secure smooth operation regarding the local authorities
- Customer relations
- Problem solving
- Staff planning (including boat crews)

Relevant Experience:
- Management experience since 2021
- ⁠PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
- ⁠SSI Divemaster Instructor
- ⁠CDWS Technical Manager

What sets her apart:
- More than 7 years experience in the Egyptian diving business.
- Knowing the area of Marsa Alam and Hurghada regarding all different dive sites.
- Strong experience in teaching dive courses according to PADI and SSI standards as well as local regulations regarding the CDWS.
- Customer and business oriented

Sacha Lobenstein is a Canarian underwater photographer born in the Island of Tenerife. He has participated in major underwater photography championships, winning titles like Spain and Canary Islands Champion. He has won several prizes like the National Geographic H2Ocean Contest, Spanish First National Biodiversity Festival, Open Fotosub El Hierro or Open Fotosub Lanzarote Mar de Lava. He regularly contributes with publications such as diving guides, tourist guides, research papers, doctoral theses or diving and underwater photography specialized magazine covers and expositions like NaturaJazz at the Museum of Nature and Man of Tenerife. He is co-author of the Canary Islands Fish Guide, a guide with photos, texts and illustrations of the main 202 species of fish that live between 0-50 m deep in the Canarian coasts.

Grew up in the Danish minority in South Schleswig (Germany). Moved to Denmark in 1998 and was originally trained as a forester (forest worker, with a focus on biodiversity and close-to-nature forestry), later studied a Diploma of Park Engineering and Management. He has previously worked in both the public sector and the private sector. Started as a diver in 2003 (under PADI) and is today co-owner of the diving center Blivdykker.dk as well as Course Director. He has 1000+ dives in the Little Belt, but there is still something new to discover on every dive.

Busiest man here in Carey. He was born in Mexico City in 1971 and moved to La Paz with his family in 1977. He is currently a SNSI Instructor Evaluator with the highest level in the recreational diving industry. In addition to diving, Gabriel is a First Aid Instructor Instructor and Business Consultant. Gabriel has put all his work and experience to create a company that provides its guests with a safe and impeccable service, always respecting the natural environment. Gabriel, has made an effort to maintain a family-operated company, capable of controlling the quality and warmth of all our guests.

Pim van Schendel has been living in North Sulawesi for 17 years and knows the area like no other. With about 6000 dives around Manado, Bunaken, Bangka and Lembeh he is very familiar with all the reefs and the underwater life that this area has to offer. Since 2013 he has been working for Murex Resorts and together with them he made the Passport to Paradise program possible.

Husam Alnajjar, CEO & founder of Ocean Breeze Liveaboards. PADI OWSI and have been diving since 2008 in the red sea in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Busiest man here in Carey. He was born in Mexico City in 1971 and moved to La Paz with his family in 1977. He is currently a SNSI Instructor Evaluator with the highest level in the recreational diving industry. In addition to diving, Gabriel is a First Aid Instructor Instructor and Business Consultant. Gabriel has put all his work and experience to create a company that provides its guests with a safe and impeccable service, always respecting the natural environment. Gabriel, has made an effort to maintain a family-operated company, capable of controlling the quality and warmth of all our guests.

Flip Stoltenborgh has been the director-owner of Merapi Tour & Travel, the Indonesia diving and travel specialist, since 2009. In those years he has visited all Indonesian diving destinations and every year he refreshes his knowledge during his inspection trips.

Max, the CMO at Temple Point Resort, is a seasoned expert in curating unforgettable safari experiences and an avid scuba diver with over 20 years of underwater exploration. Passionate about showcasing Kenya's diverse landscapes, from its vibrant marine life to its iconic wildlife, Max blends professional acumen with a love for adventure to create unparalleled travel experiences.

A Film by FABIO PALMIERI

I started diving in 2004. Got all kinds of certificates from different organizations like PADI, IANTD, GUE, NOB, you name it. At one point I thought I had seen it all. My wife Lia, who also dives, gave me a simple action camera in 2014.

And that's how it all started. I turned out to love filming, and soon I even participated in the Dutch underwater video championship. I slowly bought better cameras and video lights and eventually became Dutch champion in the masters class in 2020 and 2021. And it was precisely those competitions that shaped me as a filmmaker and that's when I decided to make my first documentary. And what could be a better and more fitting subject than the Bergsediepsluis, where I live 10 minutes away and dive very often. And because I am often asked what there is to see in that dark water, I wanted to make all the beauty visible to people who have no idea, for everyone who is curious about the underwater life in Zeeland.