Dr. Luiz Rocha
Aliases: rocha (forum)
Role: Marine biologist, ichthyologist, Wetpixel moderator and Senior Moderator, science and conservation correspondent
Affiliation: California Academy of Sciences (CAS) — Curator of Ichthyology
Forum username: rocha
Posts: 2,332
Forum threads started: 145
Articles authored: 47
Active years: 2004–2016
First appearance: 2004 (forum); 2005 (articles) ([1])
Activity score: 3,308
Biography
Dr. Luiz Rocha is a marine biologist originally from Panama City, Panama, who became Wetpixel’s de facto science and conservation correspondent and one of the community’s most important bridges between scientific research and the underwater photography world. He authored 47 articles for Wetpixel — almost entirely marine conservation and science news — and was an active forum contributor with 2,332 posts across 145 threads started, active from 2004 through 2016.
His career trajectory is visible through the Wetpixel archive: from a marine biologist in Panama City (2005) to the California Academy of Sciences, where he rose to Curator of Ichthyology and a member of the Academy’s scientific diving team. He co-authored peer-reviewed research on species ranging from jawfish to groupers, and led deep-reef research expeditions as part of the “Hope for Reefs” initiative using submersibles, 4K imaging, and rebreathers.
Described as a “Wetpixel moderator” or “Wetpixel Senior Moderator” in article bylines from 2005 through at least 2016, Rocha’s dual identity as working scientist and community leader made his contributions unusually authoritative — his conservation articles were backed by his own peer-reviewed research and direct participation in scientific expeditions.
Contributions
Wetpixel Moderator and Science Writer
Appointed Wetpixel moderator in September 2005 alongside Drew Wong, Mike Veitch, Leslie Harris, Todd Mintz, Dave Burroughs, Julian Scheunemann, Mark Thorpe, and William Heaton. James Wiseman and Alex Mustard continued as co-administrators ([2]). Later promoted to Senior Moderator, a title consistently used in article bylines from at least 2011 onward ([3], [4], [5]).
Conservation Reporting
In 2006 alone, Rocha authored over 30 articles for Wetpixel covering a remarkable breadth of marine science and conservation topics. His reporting served as a unique curation of marine science news for the underwater photography community:
- Lionfish invasions: Reported on the first documented establishment of red lionfish (Pterois volitans) reproducing off the Florida coast, noting they were “a top predator” that “may negatively influence the structure of fish communities in Florida reefs” ([6]). Followed up with coverage of their spread to Long Island, where “hundreds of Lionfish were observed by divers” in summer 2006 ([7])
- Shark overfishing: Reported staggering statistics: “More than 100 million sharks killed each year. One billion pounds of shark fins imported annually into China alone — for soup. Of the 390 known species of shark, 110 classified as endangered, threatened or vulnerable” ([8]). Also curated conservation forum discussions on shark fin trade ([9])
- Coral die-offs: Reported on unprecedented coral die-off in the Caribbean, with “96 percent of lettuce coral, 93 percent of the star coral and nearly 61 percent of the iconic brain coral in St. Croix had bleached” ([10])
- Marine protected areas: Covered the designation of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as the 75th U.S. national monument — “the world’s largest marine protected area” covering 139,000 square miles and 84 million acres with 7,000 species ([11]). Also covered Kiribati’s declaration of the Phoenix Islands as the third-largest MPA in the world ([12])
- Manta ray protection: Covered Hawaii’s new legislation to protect manta rays from poaching, based on research by the Manta Pacific Research Foundation ([13])
- Coral protection: Reported on NOAA listing elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn corals (Acropora cervicornis) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act — “the first time a coral has been listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA” ([14])
- Aquarium trade regulation: Covered new NOAA/US Coral Reef Task Force initiatives to combat cyanide use in reef fish collection, noting: “The U.S. is the number one market for coral reef fish for the aquarium trade” ([15])
Scientific Research
- 2007: Joined the IUCN-led expert panel at the University of Hong Kong assessing conservation status of 162 grouper species worldwide. Listed as a contact scientist on the press release that identified 20 grouper species threatened with extinction ([16])
- 2007: Participated in a NOAA research expedition to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands aboard the ship Hi’ialakai, sharing a travel journal in the Wetpixel forums with pictures of thousand-foot high island cliffs and groups of Galapagos sharks. Described by Wetpixel as providing “a unique look at an otherwise undisturbed ecosystem — the area is closed to the public and researchers are only granted access with specific permits” ([17])
- 2006-12: Reported that a team of researchers (including Wetpixel moderator Leslie Harris of the Los Angeles Natural History Museum) discovered dozens of new invertebrate species during a cruise to the NWHI National Monument. Harris’s photo was featured on the National Geographic website ([18])
- 2012: Co-authored peer-reviewed paper in Coral Reefs with Godehard Kopp and Rich Ross on a black-marble jawfish (Stalix cf. histrio) disguising itself among a mimic octopus’s tentacles — described as “the first documented case” of a vertebrate mimicking an invertebrate mimic. The finding was based on video filmed by Kopp in Indonesia in July 2011; Rocha and Ross identified the jawfish species at the California Academy of Sciences and surmised the jawfish hitches a ride for protection, a case of “opportunistic mimicry” ([19])
- 2012: Co-authored an IUCN study published in Fish and Fisheries that assessed 163 grouper species worldwide over ten years. Found 20 species (12%) at risk of extinction and an additional 22 species (13%) Near Threatened. Estimated at least 90 million groupers (275,000+ metric tonnes) captured in 2009, an increase of 25% from 1999 and 1,600% greater than 1950 figures ([20])
- 2015: Featured in Gizmodo’s “Indefinitely Wild” blog as part of a California Academy of Sciences deep-reef expedition to Curacao, alongside Bart Shepherd, Elliot Jessup, and Hudson Pinheiro. The team used submersibles, 4K imaging, and rebreathers to gather specimens at 450 feet (135m), “discovering new species at rates as high as 14 per hour.” The expedition focused on deep lionfish collection for stomach-content analysis and DNA testing to determine whether deep-water lionfish were part of, or separate from, shallow-water populations ([21])
- 2016: Quoted as “ichthyology curator and member of the Academy’s scientific diving team” when CAS opened the “Twilight Zone: Deep Reefs Revealed” aquarium exhibit. Rocha stated: “The twilight zone is one of the least-explored places on our planet, presenting a world of unique and undiscovered biodiversity unlike any other part of the ocean. The species we find in this region are truly unique, and by understanding what lives at these depths, we can make the informed conservation decisions needed to ensure these ecosystems remain healthy and thriving” ([22])
- 2017: Part of the CAS “Hope for Reefs” expedition to Easter Island’s twilight zone (200-500 feet), the initiative’s sixth expedition, conducted with scientists from Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (PUC). The expedition definitively recorded four new species of fish and one new species of sea biscuit. A photo credited “Luiz Rocha / California Academy of Sciences” illustrated the Wetpixel article ([23])
Photography Awards
Named ScubaDiving.com Photographer of the Week in March 2005 — described as “a marine biologist from Panama City” ([24]). Also placed in the UnderwaterPhotography.com 2005 contest alongside Wetpixel members Rand McMeins, Todd Mintz, and Karl Dietz ([25]). Won Wetpixel’s inaugural staff Picture of the Week competition, used as a test of the new interactive POTW voting system ([26]).
Forum Activity
In addition to his 47 authored articles, Rocha was an active forum participant with 2,332 posts. His top forum threads reveal engagement beyond just conservation — he participated heavily in camera gear discussions including threads on the Nikon D200 (163 replies), Nikon D800 (143 replies), “Your favourite shot of 2006” (133 replies), Nikon D200 announcement (100 replies), and Nikon D7100 (68 replies). He also left comments on articles, engaging directly with readers on topics like lionfish distribution and shark conservation.
Timeline
- 2004-05: First forum appearance (per person_matrix data)
- 2005-03: Named ScubaDiving.com Photographer of the Week as “a marine biologist from Panama City” ([27])
- 2005-09: Appointed Wetpixel moderator alongside Drew Wong, Mike Veitch, Leslie Harris, and others ([28])
- 2005-12: Won Wetpixel staff POTW competition ([29])
- 2006-01: First conservation article — lionfish invasion in Florida ([30])
- 2006: Prolific year — 30+ science/conservation articles for Wetpixel covering lionfish, sharks, corals, marine monuments, manta rays, aquarium trade, and more
- 2006-03: Covered record Caribbean coral die-off ([31])
- 2006-04: Covered Kiribati Phoenix Islands MPA designation ([32])
- 2006-04: Covered Hawaii manta ray protection legislation ([33])
- 2006-05: Covered first ESA listing of corals ([34])
- 2006-06: Covered NWHI national monument designation — “world’s largest marine protected area” ([35])
- 2006-09: Reported on shark overfishing — 100M+ sharks killed annually ([36])
- 2006-09: Covered lionfish spread to Long Island ([37])
- 2006-12: NWHI marine survey reveals new invertebrate species; credited colleague Leslie Harris ([38])
- 2006-12: Curated shark conservation forum discussion for the community ([39])
- 2007-03: Listed as IUCN contact scientist on 20-species grouper extinction warning ([40])
- 2007-07: NOAA expedition to Northwestern Hawaiian Islands aboard Hi’ialakai; shared travel journal on Wetpixel forums ([41])
- 2012-01: Jawfish/mimic octopus mimicry paper published in Coral Reefs; identified as CAS researcher and Senior Moderator ([42])
- 2012-05: Co-authored IUCN grouper conservation study in Fish and Fisheries — 90M groupers captured in 2009 ([43])
- 2015-05: CAS Curacao deep-reef expedition featured in Gizmodo — 4K imaging at 135m, “14 new species per hour” ([44])
- 2016-06: CAS “Twilight Zone: Deep Reefs Revealed” exhibit opens; Rocha quoted as Curator of Ichthyology ([45])
- 2017-04: Easter Island twilight zone expedition — 4 new fish species and 1 new sea biscuit species discovered ([46])
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Mar 12, 2005: Luiz Rocha Scuba Diving Photographer Of The Week ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 14, 2005: Wetpixel Expands Moderating Team ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 8, 2012: Mimic Octopus Is Itself Mimicked By Jawfish ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 10, 2012: Study Shows Grouper Populations In Serious Decline ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 22, 2015: Gizmodo Features Deep Fish Collecting ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 4, 2006: Invasive Lionfish In Florida ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 8, 2006: Exotic Lionfish Spreading Through Us Coats ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 7, 2006: Sharks Threatened More Than Ever ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 24, 2006: Shark Conservation On Wetpixel ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2006: Record Coral Die Off In The Caribbean ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 15, 2006: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Now A National Monument ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 24, 2006: Kiribati To Protect The Phoenix Islands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 27, 2006: Manta Rays Now Protected In Hawaii ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 9, 2006: More Protection For Caribbean Corals ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 9, 2006: Aquarium Reef Fish Trade To Get New Regulations ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 5, 2007: Twenty Groupers Threatened With Extinction ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 18, 2007: Luiz Rocha Travels To Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 7, 2006: Hawaii Underwater Survey Reveals New Species ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 8, 2012: Mimic Octopus Is Itself Mimicked By Jawfish ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 10, 2012: Study Shows Grouper Populations In Serious Decline ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 22, 2015: Gizmodo Features Deep Fish Collecting ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 10, 2016: California Academy Of Sciences Opens Deep Oceans Exhibit ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 9, 2017: New Species Discovered In Easter Island ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 12, 2005: Luiz Rocha Scuba Diving Photographer Of The Week ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 1, 2006: Underwaterphotographycom Announces Contest Winners ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 26, 2005: Vote For The New Picture Of The Week ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 12, 2005: Luiz Rocha Scuba Diving Photographer Of The Week ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 14, 2005: Wetpixel Expands Moderating Team ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 26, 2005: Vote For The New Picture Of The Week ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 4, 2006: Invasive Lionfish In Florida ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2006: Record Coral Die Off In The Caribbean ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 24, 2006: Kiribati To Protect The Phoenix Islands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 27, 2006: Manta Rays Now Protected In Hawaii ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 9, 2006: More Protection For Caribbean Corals ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 15, 2006: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Now A National Monument ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 7, 2006: Sharks Threatened More Than Ever ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 8, 2006: Exotic Lionfish Spreading Through Us Coats ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 7, 2006: Hawaii Underwater Survey Reveals New Species ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 24, 2006: Shark Conservation On Wetpixel ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 5, 2007: Twenty Groupers Threatened With Extinction ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 18, 2007: Luiz Rocha Travels To Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 8, 2012: Mimic Octopus Is Itself Mimicked By Jawfish ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 10, 2012: Study Shows Grouper Populations In Serious Decline ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 22, 2015: Gizmodo Features Deep Fish Collecting ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 10, 2016: California Academy Of Sciences Opens Deep Oceans Exhibit ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 9, 2017: New Species Discovered In Easter Island ↩
- Luiz Rocha, ScubaDiving.com Photographer of the Week (2005) (article) ↩
- Wetpixel expands moderating team (2005) (article) ↩
- Vote for new Picture of the Week (2005) (article) ↩
- Invasive lionfish in Florida (2006) (article) ↩
- UnderwaterPhotography.com contest winners (2006) (article) ↩
- Record coral die-off in the Caribbean (2006) (article) ↩
- Kiribati to protect the Phoenix Islands (2006) (article) ↩
- Manta Rays now protected in Hawaii (2006) (article) ↩
- More protection for Caribbean Corals (2006) (article) ↩
- Aquarium reef fish trade to get new regulations (2006) (article) ↩
- NWHI national monument designation (2006) (article) ↩
- Sharks threatened more than ever (2006) (article) ↩
- Exotic Lionfish spreading through US coast (2006) (article) ↩
- NWHI survey reveals new species (2006) (article) ↩
- Shark conservation on Wetpixel (2006) (article) ↩
- Twenty groupers threatened with extinction (2007) (article) ↩
- NOAA expedition to NWHI (2007) (article) ↩
- Jawfish mimicry paper (2012) (article) ↩
- Grouper populations in decline (2012) (article) ↩
- CAS deep-reef expedition — Gizmodo (2015) (article) ↩
- CAS deep oceans exhibit (2016) (article) ↩
- Easter Island expedition (2017) (article) ↩