In this episode we talk to Chris Gug who is better known as just Gug. He is regarded as one of America's foremost underwater photographers. Gug has been making waves in the art scene for well over a decade and has won countless awards, many of which are internationally acclaimed. He didn’t receive a formal photography education, but acquired his skills while living full time on dive boats, shooting pictures every day. Now he is based in Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida where he has an art gallery called the Gug Underwater Gallery. For Gug, Sargassum is a artistic opportunity, a floating habitat that brings many amazing creatures and doubles as a great backdrop.

- The camera he uses (3:00)

- How he became a full time professional underwater photographer at 15 years old (4:00)

- The importance of observations (6:40)

- The joy of exploring a Sargassum patch underwater (8:00)

- Examples of pictures and videos he took (12:15)

- Reaction of beach goers to sunken Sargassum (16:00)

- Sargassum quantity increased from 2017 in Florida but only in 2019 and 2020 was there an increase in animals associated with Sargassum (17:30)

- Shifting baselines and the loss of ecosystem health(21:15)

- Floridian view on Sargassum and them often confusing it to the red tide (24:00)

- Introducing kids to Sargassum and nature (27:15)

- Amount of plastic within the Sargassum has increased in the last two years (29:30)

- Take time to watch wildlife and approach it slowly to get good pictures (32:45)

Learn more about Gug’s work and his amazing art work:
֍ Website

֍ Visit the Gallery: 216 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale by the Sea, FL 33308

֍ Facebook

֍ Twitter

֍ Instagram

֍ Pinterest

֍ Youtube

We love to hear from you, feel free to drop us an email to SargassumPodcast@gmx.net, and connect with us on social media: facebook, twitter, Instagram, linkedin.

Can’t get enough? Become one of our patrons for as little as $1 a month and take part in an exclusive monthly happy hour with our podcast guests and other Sargassum crazy patrons. We are grateful for each supporter and look forward to connecting with you.

Like our music? The song is called Them Ah Pree by Drizzle Roadranna. Follow him on spotify and youtubeand Spotify