Meet Ocean Ramsey, Marine Biologist and Shark Conservationist

Having been graced with the name Ocean, it was only natural that Ocean Ramsey felt an irresistible pull to the sea. When she was just a child, Ocean would dive fearlessly into the deep, fascinated by the world beneath the waves. But it wasn’t a phase — Ocean’s love for the sea would be a lifelong passion, one that would set her career on a one-of-a-kind trajectory.
 
Today, Ocean isn’t just a professional freediver but an advocate for shark preservation. Her encounters with the ocean’s most majestic (and misunderstood) predators have made her a living legend in the field of marine conservation.
 
We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Ocean on the Team Ignition Podcast, a thrilling new video series where we shine a light on extraordinary people known for testing their limits and redefining what’s possible.

BACKGROUND: FINDING COMPASSION FOR FEARSOME CREATURES

An Oahu, Hawaii native, Ocean has been exploring the ocean and its creatures her entire life. When she was just 14 years old, she swam with sharks for the first time — but that certainly wasn’t the last.
 
In the years since, Ocean has performed countless dives with sharks. As of 2019, she had dived with over 47 species, all of which she says are wrongfully labeled as “monsters”.
 
“Sharks are not monsters, they are in fact, important apex predators,” she said. “I found that the most impactful way to help educate and also inspire people about sharks, their importance, and inspire and encourage them to get involved with shark and marine conservation [is to] teach people how to coexist.”

CAREER: PROTECTING THE WORLD’S SHARKS

Ocean’s passion for marine conservation has seen her start her very own company, One Ocean Diving, alongside her husband Juan Oliphant. The organization not only advocates and fundraises for the preservation of sharks, but also holds shark diving adventures.

In 2019, Ocean released her own book called What You Should Know About Sharks. In it, she details all the most important facts surrounding shark behavior, language, and how humans can ensure safe interactions with these incredible animals.
 
Ocean also created and released a documentary, Saving Jaws. The film focuses on Ocean’s research, her mission to grow the shark conservation movement, and her infamous nickname of “The Shark Whisperer.”
 
“It’s not the sharks that you’re whispering to,” she explained. “It’s people.”

That same year, another career high came for Ocean. When she and a few other divers were monitoring sharks off the coast of Hawaii, one of the most elusive sharks known as Deep Blue swam onto the scene. Measuring 20 feet long and 8 feet high, Deep Blue is the biggest great white shark on record anywhere in the world. The last time she had been spotted was five years prior off the coast of Mexico; so, needless to say, seeing her was the experience of a lifetime for Ocean.

“It was absolutely incredible,” she said. “What’s most important to me is that people are getting the images with the message of conservation… I’m happy and overjoyed to be able to be approached and to share the water with her.”

NEWEST PROJECTS: GUIDING OTHERS ON SAFE SHARK ENCOUNTERS

These days, not much has changed for Ocean. She still dedicates her life to destigmatizing and preserving sharks, regularly getting up close and personal with the creatures. She regularly shares these adventures on her social media accounts.
 
One particular move that has captured the interest of millions on social media is Ocean’s shark redirection method. In several of her videos, Ocean explains exactly how people should react if they come face to face with a shark in the ocean.
 
Here’s what Ocean recommends: firstly, it’s important never to panic. This can lead to splashing and make the shark think you’re prey. Stand your ground and make eye contact. If the shark continues to approach you, place your hand on the top of its head and push it to the side to redirect it. Then, use your leverage to push yourself out of the shark’s way. Once you’ve safely redirected the shark, always keep an eye out for others.

Ocean is also an instructor with Inspire Courses, an education website that platforms the best in surf, health, outdoors, and more. Ocean’s course — Ocean Ramsey’s Guide to Sharks and Safety — explores shark behavior, helping people have safe encounters with them and increasing their appreciation of the creatures. In it, she details everything from shark personalities to shark language to tips for avoiding adverse interactions.

FUN FACTS: WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT OCEAN RAMSEY

• In addition to her marine conservation efforts, Ocean is also a seasoned model. Though she still has an agent, Ocean is typically at sea when she gets calls about jobs.
• Ocean’s husband, Juan Oliphant, is an underwater photographer. He frequently documents Ocean’s encounters with sharks.
• In 2018, after hearing that Donald Trump is allegedly scared of sharks, Ocean tweeted, “I am shocked to just find out about this. I would love to get @realDonaldTrump out to help him overcome his fear and fall in love with sharks.”
• Ocean has been a professional SCUBA instructor for more than 17 years.
• Ocean has given over 200 professional presentations around the globe.
• Ocean is a SAG-AFTRA member and has performed several stunts in movies, including repelling out of helicopters, fights, falls, and of course, a great deal of underwater work.

KEEP UP WITH OCEAN RAMSEY

Hoping to stay up to date on Ocean’s incredible underwater adventures? Be sure to tune into the latest episode of the Team Ignition podcast to hear Ocean and host Leticia Bufoni chat about Ocean’s mission to protect the ocean’s most misunderstood creatures.
 
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