Ned DeLoach

Aliases: Ned Deloach
Role: marine life author, naturalist, underwater photographer, publisher, conservationist
First appearance: 2004 ([1])
Affiliation: New World Publications (co-owner with Paul Humann); REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation, co-founder); BlennyWatcher (with Anna DeLoach)
Based in: Jacksonville, Florida

Biography

Ned DeLoach is one of the most influential marine life authors and naturalists in the underwater world, best known for co-authoring a series of widely used marine life identification guides with Paul Humann through their company New World Publications. He founded New World Publications in 1972 with the publication of Diving and Recreational Guide to the Florida Springs, later expanded into Ned DeLoach’s Diving Guide to Underwater Florida, which reached its 11th edition ([2]). In 1989, the company published the first Caribbean Reef ID books, which “set a new standard in marine life recognition” and established Humann and DeLoach as “quality photographers and keen behaviorists” ([3]).

In 1990, Ned and Paul Humann co-founded REEF, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, a grass-roots nonprofit organization of recreational divers who conduct fish biodiversity and abundance surveys ([4], [5]). REEF celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2013 ([6]).

Ned and his wife Anna DeLoach are dedicated marine life observers who hunt for fishes and invertebrates to photograph for their identification guides. They describe their work as guided by the concept of a “search image” — a set of visual cues that enables a naturalist to rediscover camouflaged animals once first observed in the wild ([7]). Together with Anna, he writes the BlennyWatcher Blog, sharing unusual marine life observations, and the Marine Life Blog hosted by New World Publications ([8]).

Ned has had a prolific career as a magazine writer spanning decades. He began writing dive destination articles and dive personality profiles for publications, profiling luminaries such as cave explorer Sheck Exley, author Peter Benchley, and treasure hunter Robert Marx. He later concentrated on marine life behavior in his “U/W Naturalists” column for the legendary Ocean Realm magazine. He writes the “Encounters” column for Alert Diver and “Critter Hunt” for Scuba Diving magazine, and also contributed to Sport Diver ([9], [10]). In 2010, New World Publications made over 200 of these articles available online, representing contributions dating back to the late 1960s ([11]).

He presents marine life behavior talks to audiences around the world at dive resorts, schools, and public aquariums ([12]).

Photography Equipment and Style

Ned switched from a Canon 5D to the Nikon D800 to gain extra megapixels for cropping rather than enlargements. He shoots almost exclusively with a 50 or 60mm micro lens using manual exposure and focus, and a single Ikelite strobe attached to an Ikelite housing. His philosophy is to be “stripped down to the basics and ready for the unexpected” ([13]). Previously, he and Paul Humann purchased Canon EOS 5Ds shortly after they were introduced, initially using the Sigma 50mm 1:1 lens before switching to the Sigma 70mm 1:1 for versatility ([14]).

Ned and Paul’s approach to identification photography emphasizes presenting animals “in their best light” — portraits that show an animal at a pleasing angle, in full focus, in its natural habitat, with distinguishing characteristics clearly displayed ([15], [16]). Ned described their typical diving schedule during the five-year Reef Creature Identification: Tropical Pacific project as “underwater five hours a day every day of the week, and frequently at night” ([17]).

Publications

Marine Life Identification Guides (with Paul Humann)

The Humann/DeLoach series of field guides is widely regarded as the definitive reference for marine life identification. Eric Cheng described them as “what might be the most popular fish and critter ID books worldwide” ([18]). Key titles include:

By 2010, New World Publications had produced a total of nine marine life field guides. In 2016, eight titles were released as PDF ebooks ([29]). Earlier ebook versions via the Blio platform (2012) encountered international purchasing issues ([30], [31]).

Other Publications

Scientific Contributions

Ned’s photographic fieldwork has contributed directly to marine science. His collaboration with over 40 scientific specialists during the Reef Creature Identification: Tropical Pacific project incorporated the most recent taxonomic research. As he noted: “Even though an unknown animal can’t be given species status from a photograph, an image does establish that a new species exists and indicates where it might be found” ([35]).

Sensational Seas DVDs

Ned contributed to and was editor of the Sensational Seas DVD projects, which were produced by Anna DeLoach and Nancy McGee with funding from the Carrow Foundation, with all proceeds benefiting REEF:

BlennyWatcher Diary (Wetpixel Column)

In June 2013, Ned and Anna began writing the monthly “Blennywatcher Diary” column for Wetpixel, sharing their marine life observations from expeditions worldwide ([47]). Topics covered include:

REEF and Conservation

Ned co-founded REEF with Paul Humann in 1990, creating an organization that links the diving community with scientists through marine life data collection. Key conservation activities include:

Key Diving Locations

Ned and Anna have extensively dived and documented marine life at numerous locations:

Industry Presence

Ned and Anna were regular exhibitors at major dive industry events through the New World Publications / REEF booth:

Collaborations

Timeline

References


Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2004: Sensational Seas Dvd Production
  2. Wetpixel article, Sep 29, 2010: New World Publications Announces Marine Life Library
  3. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2004: Sensational Seas Dvd Production
  4. Wetpixel article, Aug 9, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary August 2013
  5. Wetpixel article, Apr 30, 2012: Ned Deloach To Present A Fishinar About Fish Spawning
  6. Wetpixel article, Aug 9, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary August 2013
  7. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2013: Ned And Anna Deloach Image Search
  8. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2013: Ned And Anna Deloach Image Search
  9. Wetpixel article, Sep 29, 2010: New World Publications Announces Marine Life Library
  10. Wetpixel article, Apr 30, 2012: Ned Deloach To Present A Fishinar About Fish Spawning
  11. Wetpixel article, Sep 29, 2010: New World Publications Announces Marine Life Library
  12. Wetpixel article, Apr 30, 2012: Ned Deloach To Present A Fishinar About Fish Spawning
  13. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2013: Ned And Anna Deloach Image Search
  14. Wetpixel article, Sep 13, 2010: Reef Creature Id Tropical Pacific Special Limited Edition Available
  15. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2013: Ned And Anna Deloach Image Search
  16. Wetpixel article, Sep 13, 2010: Reef Creature Id Tropical Pacific Special Limited Edition Available
  17. Wetpixel article, Sep 13, 2010: Reef Creature Id Tropical Pacific Special Limited Edition Available
  18. Wetpixel article, Nov 4, 2007: Dema 2007 New World Publications
  19. Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2016: Review New World Publication Pdf Books
  20. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2013: New Titles From New World Publications
  21. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2013: New Titles From New World Publications
  22. Wetpixel article, Oct 22, 2015: New World Publications Releases Second Edition Of Reef Fish Id Tropical Pac
  23. Wetpixel article, Aug 25, 2010: New World Publications Launch Reef Creature Id Tropical Pacific
  24. Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2019: Second Edition Of Reef Fish Behavior Announced
  25. Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2016: Review New World Publication Pdf Books
  26. Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2016: Review New World Publication Pdf Books
  27. Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2016: Review New World Publication Pdf Books
  28. Wetpixel article, Sep 29, 2010: New World Publications Announces Marine Life Library
  29. Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2016: Review New World Publication Pdf Books
  30. Wetpixel article, Jan 24, 2012: Reef Fish Id Tropical Pacific Available As Ebook
  31. Wetpixel article, Sep 11, 2012: The Reef Set Is Available In Ebook Format
  32. Wetpixel article, Dec 15, 2014: New World Publishes Roger Steenes Colours Of The Reef
  33. Wetpixel article, Mar 28, 2007: Underwater Journal Issue 2 Available For Download
  34. Wetpixel article, Apr 26, 2010: Wanted Wunderpus Photographs
  35. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2013: Ned And Anna Deloach Image Search
  36. Wetpixel article, May 27, 2013: New Species Of Goby Discovered
  37. Wetpixel article, May 26, 2013: Death By Ctenophore On Blennywatcher
  38. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2013: Blennwatcher Diary July 2013
  39. Wetpixel article, Mar 19, 2012: Video Shows Juvenile Jacks Mimicing Striped Catfish
  40. Wetpixel article, Apr 26, 2010: Wanted Wunderpus Photographs
  41. Wetpixel article, May 21, 2012: New Wrasse Species Named
  42. Wetpixel article, Sep 10, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary September 2013
  43. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2004: Sensational Seas Dvd Production
  44. Wetpixel article, Mar 23, 2010: Sensational Seas Two Dvd Available For Order
  45. Wetpixel article, Feb 8, 2010: Sensational Seas Two Dvd Trailer Now Available Via Divefilm
  46. Wetpixel article, Aug 31, 2010: Dvd Review Sensational Seas 2
  47. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2013: Ned And Anna Deloach Image Search
  48. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2013: Blennwatcher Diary July 2013
  49. Wetpixel article, Aug 9, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary August 2013
  50. Wetpixel article, Sep 10, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary September 2013
  51. Wetpixel article, Oct 24, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary October 2013
  52. Wetpixel article, Apr 8, 2014: Blennywatcher Diary Dominica
  53. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2013: Blennwatcher Diary July 2013
  54. Wetpixel article, Apr 8, 2014: Blennywatcher Diary Dominica
  55. Wetpixel article, Mar 3, 2011: Help Support The Ban On Nassau Grouper Fishing
  56. Wetpixel article, Apr 30, 2012: Ned Deloach To Present A Fishinar About Fish Spawning
  57. Wetpixel article, May 13, 2013: Ned Deloach Presents A Fishinar On Cleaning Stations
  58. Wetpixel article, Aug 10, 2009: Spawning Striated Frogfish
  59. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2013: Blennwatcher Diary July 2013
  60. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2013: Ned And Anna Deloach Image Search
  61. Wetpixel article, Sep 13, 2010: Reef Creature Id Tropical Pacific Special Limited Edition Available
  62. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2013: Ned And Anna Deloach Image Search
  63. Wetpixel article, May 27, 2013: New Species Of Goby Discovered
  64. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2013: Ned And Anna Deloach Image Search
  65. Wetpixel article, Sep 10, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary September 2013
  66. Wetpixel article, Apr 8, 2014: Blennywatcher Diary Dominica
  67. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2013: Ned And Anna Deloach Image Search
  68. Wetpixel article, Aug 9, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary August 2013
  69. Wetpixel article, Nov 4, 2007: Dema 2007 New World Publications
  70. Wetpixel article, Oct 30, 2008: Dema 2008 New World Publications
  71. Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2017: Show Report Dema 2017
  72. Wetpixel article, Mar 27, 2010: Beneath The Sea 2010 Day 1 Coverage
  73. Wetpixel article, Aug 25, 2010: New World Publications Launch Reef Creature Id Tropical Pacific
  74. Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2019: Second Edition Of Reef Fish Behavior Announced
  75. Wetpixel article, Oct 22, 2015: New World Publications Releases Second Edition Of Reef Fish Id Tropical Pac
  76. Wetpixel article, Dec 15, 2014: New World Publishes Roger Steenes Colours Of The Reef
  77. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2013: New Titles From New World Publications
  78. Wetpixel article, Sep 14, 2009: December 2009 Reefnet Expedition Ambon Raja Ampat With Keri Wilk
  79. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2013: Blennwatcher Diary July 2013
  80. Wetpixel article, Sep 13, 2010: Reef Creature Id Tropical Pacific Special Limited Edition Available
  81. Wetpixel article, Apr 2, 2007: Seaspace Memorial Service For Larry Smith
  82. Wetpixel article, Sep 29, 2010: New World Publications Announces Marine Life Library
  83. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2004: Sensational Seas Dvd Production
  84. Wetpixel article, Sep 29, 2010: New World Publications Announces Marine Life Library
  85. Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2019: Second Edition Of Reef Fish Behavior Announced
  86. Wetpixel article, Apr 8, 2014: Blennywatcher Diary Dominica
  87. Wetpixel article, Sep 13, 2010: Reef Creature Id Tropical Pacific Special Limited Edition Available
  88. Wetpixel article, Jul 22, 2004: Sensational Seas Dvd Production
  89. Wetpixel article, Mar 28, 2007: Underwater Journal Issue 2 Available For Download
  90. Wetpixel article, Nov 4, 2007: Dema 2007 New World Publications
  91. Wetpixel article, Oct 30, 2008: Dema 2008 New World Publications
  92. Wetpixel article, Aug 10, 2009: Spawning Striated Frogfish
  93. Wetpixel article, Feb 8, 2010: Sensational Seas Two Dvd Trailer Now Available Via Divefilm
  94. Wetpixel article, Mar 23, 2010: Sensational Seas Two Dvd Available For Order
  95. Wetpixel article, Mar 27, 2010: Beneath The Sea 2010 Day 1 Coverage
  96. Wetpixel article, Aug 25, 2010: New World Publications Launch Reef Creature Id Tropical Pacific
  97. Wetpixel article, Sep 29, 2010: New World Publications Announces Marine Life Library
  98. Wetpixel article, Jan 24, 2012: Reef Fish Id Tropical Pacific Available As Ebook
  99. Wetpixel article, Apr 30, 2012: Ned Deloach To Present A Fishinar About Fish Spawning
  100. Wetpixel article, May 21, 2012: New Wrasse Species Named
  101. Wetpixel article, Sep 11, 2012: The Reef Set Is Available In Ebook Format
  102. Wetpixel article, May 26, 2013: Death By Ctenophore On Blennywatcher
  103. Wetpixel article, May 13, 2013: Ned Deloach Presents A Fishinar On Cleaning Stations
  104. Wetpixel article, May 27, 2013: New Species Of Goby Discovered
  105. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2013: Ned And Anna Deloach Image Search
  106. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2013: Blennwatcher Diary July 2013
  107. Wetpixel article, Aug 9, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary August 2013
  108. Wetpixel article, Sep 10, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary September 2013
  109. Wetpixel article, Oct 24, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary October 2013
  110. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2013: New Titles From New World Publications
  111. Wetpixel article, Apr 8, 2014: Blennywatcher Diary Dominica
  112. Wetpixel article, Dec 15, 2014: New World Publishes Roger Steenes Colours Of The Reef
  113. Wetpixel article, Oct 22, 2015: New World Publications Releases Second Edition Of Reef Fish Id Tropical Pac
  114. Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2016: Review New World Publication Pdf Books
  115. Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2017: Show Report Dema 2017
  116. Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2019: Second Edition Of Reef Fish Behavior Announced
  117. Sensational Seas DVD Production (article)
  118. SeaSpace memorial service for Larry Smith (article)
  119. Underwater Journal Issue 2 available for download (article)
  120. DEMA 2007: New World Publications (article)
  121. DEMA 2008: New World Publications (article)
  122. Spawning striated frogfish at Blue Heron Bridge (article)
  123. Dec 2009 ReefNet Expedition: Ambon/Raja Ampat with Keri Wilk (article)
  124. Sensational Seas Two DVD trailer (article)
  125. Sensational Seas Two DVD available for order (article)
  126. Beneath the Sea 2010, day 1 coverage (article)
  127. Wanted: Wunderpus photographs (article)
  128. New World Publications launches Reef Creature ID: Tropical Pacific (article)
  129. DVD Review: Sensational Seas 2 (article)
  130. Reef Creature ID: Tropical Pacific special limited edition available (article)
  131. New World Publications announces Marine Life Library (article)
  132. Review of Reef Creature Identification: Tropical Pacific (article)
  133. Help support the ban on Nassau grouper fishing (article)
  134. Reef Fish ID: Tropical Pacific available as ebook (article)
  135. Video shows juvenile jacks mimicking Striped Catfish (article)
  136. Ned DeLoach to present a Fishinar about fish spawning (article)
  137. New wrasse species named (article)
  138. The Reef SET is available in ebook format (article)
  139. Death by ctenophore on BlennyWatcher (article)
  140. Ned DeLoach presents a fishinar on cleaning stations (article)
  141. New species of goby discovered (article)
  142. Ned and Anna DeLoach: Image Search or Search Image? (article)
  143. Blennywatcher Diary: July 2013 (article)
  144. The Blennywatcher Diary: August 2013 (article)
  145. The Blennywatcher Diary: September 2013 (article)
  146. The Blennywatcher Diary: October 2013 (article)
  147. Name your own blenny (article)
  148. New titles from New World Publications (article)
  149. Blennywatcher Diary: Dominica (article)
  150. New World publishes Roger Steene’s Colours of the Reef (article)
  151. New World Publications releases second edition of Reef Fish ID: Tropical Pacific (article)
  152. Review: New World Publication PDF books (article)
  153. Show report: DEMA 2017 (article)
  154. Second Edition of Reef Fish Behavior announced (article)