Underwater Photographer. Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

For the past two decades, Jason Washington has been a leader in the Cayman Islands watersports community. A 2017 International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame honoree, Jason’s focus both locally and abroad has been on protecting the delicate marine life found in the waters of the Cayman Islands. Jason created CULL, the Cayman United Lionfish League, an organization that runs the local lionfish tournaments held each year. Since it was started, CULL has removed tens of thousands of lionfish from local waters, all while educating the public about the threat the lionfish pose. He helped create the demand for lionfish in Cayman restaurants. His most recent project, The Way I See It, is a YouTube show that showcases underwater photography. Jason’s underwater photography has been featured in many places, including National Geographic.

I believe everyone with a scuba or freediving certification should be an ambassador for our planet’s oceans. Those who don’t dive will never understand the importance of protecting what they themselves have never experienced. As ocean enthusiasts, it’s up to us to educate those people with the hope that they, too, can find the beauty in a medium that covers more than 71% of our planet’s surface, houses 80% of all life, and regulates our planet’s weather patterns.

I’m originally from a small town in the southern United States. As a child, I was always attracted to water. In my early adult years. I found myself participating in watersports at every given opportunity. Transitioning into adulthood I was faced with the age-old question: What shall I do with my life? For me, the answer was simple. I’ll spend my days working at sea, protecting the thing I love most, all the while educating others on the wonders found just beneath the ocean’s surface.

My father, who recently passed, was a huge inspiration in my life. He introduced me to the sport of scuba diving and played a massive role by encouraging me to chase my passions, both above and below the water.

My life as an underwater photographer takes me to some pretty amazing places. I find other cultures fascinating and inspiring. Different types of food, music, art, all contribute to the whole experience when visiting another diving destination. Especially the food!

My Cressi GOA is hands’ down my favorite piece of kit at the moment. This all-in-one dive computer gives me the flexibility to switch from scuba to freediving, from air to nitrox, all the while keeping me safe in a sport that requires pinpoint accuracy and the trust needed to perform multiple dives daily.

When I was asked to join the Cressi team as an Ambassador, I saw this as an opportunity that simply could not be passed up. As a scuba instructor, I’m only able to take a limited number of individuals diving. As an underwater photographer, I’m able to share with the planet, the delicate nature of our underwater world, reaching a much larger audience. Partnering with Cressi, a leader in the diving equipment market, helps me reach an even larger number of potential ocean enthusiasts, with the hopes that they too will want to protect one of our most valuable resources.

youtube.com/user/caymanjason and instagram.com/caymanjason