Vincent Kneefel

Vincent Kneefel is a 24-year old underwater photographer and sustainability researcher from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Vincent has a passion for marine life and is committed to conservation of the underwater world. He is currently working at the Dutch Research Institute for Transitions at Erasmus University Rotterdam - a leading institute in researching sustainability and transitions. Vincent's challenge to himself is to make an effort to increase the awareness for underwater marine life. By showing people what beauty lies beneath the surface, he hopes to make a contribution to the conservation of this unique habitat.

Born in Haarlem, The Netherlands in 1984, Vincent began diving at the age of 14. After becoming a certified PADI Instructor at the age of 18 he decided to dedicate himself to the endangered marine world and started underwater photography. He is passionate about rebreather diving and takes his rebreather with him where ever he goes. He has done more than 1200 dives in over 30 countries around the world; Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Ocean. In 2009 he initiated Rotterdam World Ocean Day, an event where Fabien Cousteau, David Doubilet and Paul Watson were among the keynote speakers. He was featured in multple campaign as the new generation environmental heroes. Vincent has developed a passion for the oceans and everything in it.