Marine Biologist, Scientific Diver & Conservation Photographer

Hugo Bret is a marine biologist, scientific diver and conservation photographer. Over the last years, his work focuses on topics such as climate change, marine sciences, and environmental activism.

In 2024, Hugo worked for six months as a marine biologist and scientific diver for the Reef Rescuers program, which aims to restore coral reefs in the Cousin Island Integral Nature Reserve in Seychelles.

He also co-directed a research project aimed at studying the impact of artificial shading on the survival of Pocillopora grandis during the 2024 bleaching event. He is in the process of writing a scientific article on this study as first author.

He is currently an eco-guard and marine intervention agent for the Côte Bleue Marine Reserve (France), one of the only 91 natural sites in the world to be awarded the IUCN Green List for its governance, management and protection qualities.

Believing that images have the power to shift perspectives, stir emotions, ignite action and connect people to science as well as communities to their heritage, Hugo joined the media team of the ocean conservation NGOs Sea Shepherd France and the Cpt. Paul Watson Foundation as an onboard photographer and drone pilot and participated in 10 operations:

• Op. Dolphin Bycatch 2020-22-23 (Bay of Biscay, France)

• Op. Dolphin Bycatch Spain 2025

• Op. Nyamba 2023 (Mayotte, France)

• Op. Ocean Killers 2023-24 (English Channel and North Sea)

• Op. Winds of Wrath 2021-24 (France)

• Op. GrindStop 2024 (Faroe Islands, Denmark)

2025

1st place – Category Conservation (Impact) at the Ocean Photographer of the Year Awards 2025.

Highly Commended – Category Conservation (Hope) at the Ocean Photographer of the Year Awards 2025.

1st place – Category Landscapes and Environments at the Regional Agency for Biodiversity and Environment (ARBE PACA) photography contest

1st place – Category Public Choice at the Regional Agency for Biodiversity and Environment (ARBE PACA) photography contest

2024

1st place, Judges’ choice, Lhaviyani Turtle Festival Underwater Photography Contest, Maldives.

2024 : Guide “WORKS with Nature: Low Carbon Adaptation Techniques for a Changing World“ by Pamela Conrad and Kotchakhorn Voraakhom (p67, photo contributor with credits). Report presented at the UN’s COP29 conference in 2024.

2022 : National Geographic “Biggest bacterium ever discovered shakes our view of the single-celled world” by Sanjay Mishra (Web article, photo contributor with credits).

2022 : New York Times “You don’t need a microscope to see the biggest bacteria ever found” by Carl Zimmer (Web article, photo contributor with credits).