Neville would like to say thank you to the 630, 000 customers who have enjoyed and respected his enthusiastic and dedicated service for over 30 years HOME

"The World of Water means many things to many people. For me it's exciting, adventurous and enjoyable. The more we explore and understand, the more mindful we all become of the need to protect it as a valuable asset for future generations." Neville Coleman.

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Neville Coleman is currently the only Australian on Project AWARE's Board of Governors, and along with other members including Jean-Michel Cousteau and Dr Sylvia Earle, is totally committed to advancing the knowledge of and conserving the aquatic world............................... Although Neville's first love is the sea, he is just as much at home photographing the denizens of Australia's deserts, rain forest jungles, wilderness wetlands, mountain montages and mangrove swamps. His special interests include the study of Nudibranchs, Ovulid cowries, and world wide frogs.

Neville Coleman was born near the shores of the Lane Cove River in Sydney. As he grew up, fishing became his all-consuming passion: at ten years of age his most ardent aspirations were to become an explorer. On leaving school he completed an apprenticeship in Photo-lithography, but in 1963 his life reached a major turning point when, drawn by a love of nature and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge he set about to beat his greatest fear - of the ocean and it's inhabitants - and began spending his spare time diving in Sydney Harbour. His urge to discover, and the unknown challenge of the sea, eventually led to exploration on a larger scale. In 1969, after two years of preparation, he conducted the "Australian Coastal Marine Expedition": a total of almost four years traveling 64,000 kilometers around the Australian coast, observing, recording, photographing and collecting many thousands of marine creatures for Australian museums. Most people who knew of the undertaking felt there was little chance of his getting back alive, let alone achieving the expedition's projected aims. And so in March 1969 he set off - unfinanced,unsupported, unknown, under - manned and unlikely to succeed. However, succeed he did: it was to be the first underwater photographic fauna survey of an entire continent ever attempted in the world. Since 1973 , Neville has cross-referenced approximately 150,000 transparencies with specimens of animals and plants donated to Australian Museums. Following the Australian Coastal Marine Expedition, over 160 minor expeditions have been carried out in global waters (from the Seychelles, to the British West Indies). Logging over 12,000 dives - and discovering over 450 species new to science, Nevilles photographs are on display at most major museums and aquariums in Australia. The Australasian Marine Photographic Index of which he is curator, is the largest scientifically-curated visual identification system in the Southern hemisphere with over 11,500 species photographed and cataloged. In July 1980, London ATV flew Neville to Papua New Guinea for a 30-minute documentary in their "Nature Watch" series. This was eventually shown throughout Europe, USA, and in New Zealand with excellent reviews and proved to be one of the most popular in the series. A.B.C.'s "Big Country" programme also discovered Neville's work at Lord Howe Island. "Akin to the Sea" also proved to be very popular and has since been reshown on A.B.C television in "The Best of a Big Country". Early in 1985 Mike Willesee's "Trans Media Production" for Channel Nine Television produced a 1 hour documentary entitled "Sink or Swim" In this programme Neville introduces young institutionalised Australians to the wonders of the underwater world. In an effort to instill a positive side of life with his own personal philosophy of turning people on to nature. Neville explains how understanding the natural values of life can be one of the most rewarding methods of rehabilitation for body soul and spirit. Author of some 50 books, Neville has written and illustrated more 4 colour underwater education natural history books than any other single person in the western world, and as such, is the most successful writer on marine life in Australian history. His articles have been carried by over 150 magazines with photographs being reproduced by the "National Geographic Society", "Time Life". and "Readers Digest". Neville is a fascinating and colourful individual with tremendous passion for life. He has an infectious enthusiasm for his work and has developed - through his experiences and knowledge - a confident understanding of the "dangers" involved. As the first full time professional freelance underwater naturalist/photographer managing to exist in Australia, Neville and his work are part of the pioneering spirit this country was built on. Neville lectures regularly throughout the world on underwater marine biology and conservation and is certified to teach Australian instruction agencies in Marine Biology and Underwater Photography Courses. His "Education through Entertainment" audio visual programmes, have been enjoyed by many thousands of people at over 300 world wide venues. Neville has been a keynote speaker at the First and Second International Dolphin and Whale Conferences. His "Nature Watch" television programme is shown on National Geographic's Explorer Series in 1996 and has been repeated several times reaching over 40,000,000 Americans. His lecture programmes in the USA are highly successful and include conferences such as S.E.A.S, MACNA, "Our World Underwater" and Shedd Aquarium (Chicago) In 1991 Neville was awarded a number of prestigious honours including the Banksia Environmental Foundation's Marine and Waterways Award for his Australian Marine Photographic Index, and the Diving Industry and Travel Association of Australia's Scuba Excellence Award for his contribution to underwater education. He also received an Honorary Fellowship from the Australian Institute of Professional Photography. He is the first professional underwater photographer in Australian history to win the highest commendations from both the Australian Photographic Society and the Australian Institute of Professional Photography. In 1994 "Brownies Coastwatch" (Channel 7 Brisbane) hosted Neville as Marine Environmental Presenter on their weekly programmes. Vitally concerned with the aquatic environment and its conservation, Neville continues his exploration and discovery giving regular presentations to groups such as the Royal Geographic Society Explorer's Club. His appointment eight years previous to "Project AWARE" BOARD OF GOVERNORS is especially significant in his role as an evironmental educator. By taking the dreams of a ten year old and making them come true, Neville has already achieved more than most. Out of a world of total fear, a little boy who didn't have a hero, built one. The boy built the man, together they explore the oceans unknown and share it's secrets with humanity.

Scientific Recognition With over 650 undescribed species housed in State museums across Australia cross-referenced with their photographic records in the Australian Marine Photographic Index files and catalogues Neville’s credits will never match his original discoveries. Although he can trace every specimen to the date discovered and all locality data and which museum the material was donated to, there are just not enough taxonomists to deal with all the new species which remain to be described in nature. Without doubt there are thousands of undescribed species and it isn’t that difficult to find one when you have a fair idea of what’s known in each phyla. The fact that one week’s diving at Loloata Island, Papua New Guinea in November 2002 can still produce 10 new species at regular dive sites, demonstrates that we still have a long way to go. Marine Fauna Surveys Fauna surveys provide a base line study of what lives in an area. By establishing a basic listing of species diversity a dive site or marine park can be valued and when seen as an important environmental place greater steps can be taken to protect the inhabitants. However, like any learning process there needs to be a point of reference (a name) to what one is seeing or observing. Otherwise, it cannot be recorded, discussed, taught or shared. By shared learning we can all participate in the excitement of new discoveries and the wonder of underwater nature. New Species Just because one discovers/photographs/collects an undescribed species does not mean that the person who describes that animal credits the original finder. There are no criteria, it is up to the author as to which name the animal or plant is given. Also it may be 10, 20, 30 or 40 years from the time the organism was found until it gets to be described. In that time, anything can happen, the original specimen may be put away on a shelf and years later somebody else comes along and rediscovers what to them is new. At a later date, scientists may go on an expedition to the same locality and find fresher specimens of the same organism and decide that their specimens are better preserved than the original ones and the ones that they collect become the type species and are consequently described as the first ones ever found. In other cases, the original specimens are loaned out to other worldwide museums in countries where scientists with specific expertise reside. The museum registers specimens with museum numbers so that when the overseas scientist gets the material he or she writes up the new specimens for a scientific paper and quotes the museum registration number in the paper. Sometimes they make reference to the original collector in the acknowledgments and sometimes they don’t. It just depends on the personal values of what’s important to them for their careers, or if the museum label acknowledges the original collector/donor. Contributions Neville’s donated material has contributed to, been part of or subject to over 100 scientific papers published across the world in scientific journals which, in itself, is very rewarding. The recognition of contributions to advancing knowledge are appreciated in whichever form they may evolve. If the species is really something special and the original type collector/photographer knows the author who may describe it, there may be a personal favour asked to have it named after the original discoverer. Other personal names are given by an author because the specimens relating to their expertise were sent to them by the original discoverer on a personal basis. Not wanting all his original work and discoveries being down-graded or upstaged, Neville has provided dates and AMPI specimen numbers in many of his books. This enables students or scientists a basis on new species that exist in various museums and they can refer, apply or study them when describing similar or the same new species (as has happened on a number of occasions). Thank you to scientists The following species/genera are credited to Neville’s achievements in the world of aquatic discovery and the advancement of knowledge. Neville takes this opportunity to thank all the authors of the following species named in his honour AND to scientists, assistants, curators and associates all over the world who have worked on his material, for without their expertise his contributions remain only as pretty pictures of “critters”. Many thanks to all!   Coleman’s Sea Star Echinaster colemani Rowe and Albertson, 1987 (137mm) Recognised (by Neville) as being new in 1968, it was not until many years later that the species was confirmed as a unique undescribed sea star and its description published (20 metres Broughton Island, New South Wales). It is found from southern Queensland to Bateman’s Bay in southern New South Wales, its type locality being off Cronulla, NSW. The epicentre of its distribution is at Norfolk Island where it is quite common.   Coleman’s Flatworm Pseudoceros colemani Prudhoe, 1978 (20mm) As yet, this flatworm appears restricted in range to eastern Australia’s southern coasts. First found at Port Hacking, New South Wales in 1968 it feeds on the brain ascidian Sycozoa cerebriformis and seems to be a nocturnal species. At certain times it is very common in five to 15 metres in caves on rock faces.   Coleman’s Sea Squirt Polyandrocarpa colemani Kott, 1994 Certainly as a colony this species is one of the largest growing compound ascidians in the Indo-Pacific. Colonies may be two metres in length, 600mm in height and 300mm thick (at the base). It was discovered during fauna surveys at Julian Rocks off Byron Bay, New South Wales in 1976 but not collected till years later off Tweed Heads, New South Wales (1987). The larger more open, angled openings are the mouths of the colony and the more upright openings are the exhalant pores. Because of its unique form, colour and huge size it took quite a while to understand what the animal was.   Coleman’s Shrimp Periclimenes colemani Bruce, 1975 (20mm) First recognised at Wistari Reef, near Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef in 1974. The shrimps were found at 12 to25 metres inhabiting the dorsal surface of their host the elusive sea urchin Athenosoma intermedium. Since then they have been found across the Indo-Pacific region inhabiting the same genus of sea urchin Asthenosoma ijimai or Asthenosoma varius.   Coleman’s Chromodoris Chromodoris colemani Rudman, 1982 (25mm) Originally found at Bushy Island, Great Barrier Reef 5/75, it was one of many new species of Chromodorids first found and photographed by Neville in the early years. The species is not common and is known from Lizard Island (GBR), Japan, Okinawa and Indonesia where it is generally seen in shallow water during the day.   Coleman’s Tripterotyphis Tripterotyphis colemani (Ponder, 1972) (15mm) A dead specimen of this species was found on the floor of a cave at 20 metres off the New South Wales coast in 1966. It was not until Neville reached Broome in Western Australia in 1972 that a number were discovered intertidally beneath rocks and rubble.   Coleman’s Phyllodesmium Phyllodesmium colemani Rudman, 1991 (76mm) Although Neville had searched a thousand Tubipora spp. organ pipe soft coral colonies looking for a nudibranch it was not until 1987 at Lord Howe Island that specimens were located in only one metre of water. Since then they have been found on the Great Barrier Reef and Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.   Coleman’s Soft Coral Dendronephthya colemani Grasshoff, 1978 The fact that this genus of soft coral requires a complete taxonomic revision to deal with the multitude of species is of little comfort. The original specimen was found at Dampier, Western Australia at 20 metres in 1972. It appeared to be common in the area but many species of this genus are difficult to tell apart; others are easy.   Coleman’s Grubfish Parapercis colemani Randall & Francis, 1990 First photographed at Norfolk Island in 1988 it was not until Dr John Randall and Malcolm Francis did a fish survey there in 1998/72 that a specimen was secured in the lagoon and consequently described. As there were only two specimens originally observed and they have not been recorded anywhere else it is assumed that their ‘home’ territory is yet to be discovered.   Coleman’s Weedfish Heteroclinus colemani Hoese, 1976 Living in red algae on rocks and rock faces this species is so far only recorded from Tasmania where it was found at Bruny Island (1972) in 18 metres. There are similar forms in Victoria and southern New South Wales.   Coleman’s Nemertean Worm Genus Colemaniella Gibson, 1985 Named as a tribute to collections and photographs supplied to the leading nemertean worm taxonomist of his time, a representative of the genus has yet to be found or photographed by Neville.   Coleman’s Stony Coral Monastrea colemani Veron, 2000 Although Neville has found a number of corals unable to be identified to species, managed to record many new distribution records and photographed hundreds of species he did not discover this species. It was named for him in recognition of the contributions he had made over 30 years towards advancing the knowledge, visualisation and new records of stony corals. Photo By: C. Veron.   Neville Coleman’s Soft Coral Moolabalia nevillecolemani Alderslade, 2001 Living at 25 metres in the waters off Mooloolaba, Queensland (where there are lots of new species) this species is widespread along the southern Queensland coast and into northern New South Wales. Although its presence is hardly noticeable due to its small polyp size, a torch reveals the beautiful bright blue colour and shows up just how common an encrusting species it is. Specimens were not collected until 1997.   Coleman’s Mantis Shrimp Lissosquilla colemani Ahong, 2001 (100mm) Trawled from 280 metres off Long Reef, New South Wales meant that Neville waited for it to come up rather than going down and picking it up. In order to photographically record the many deep water species he worked on trawl boats around Australia so he could keep some of the trash species usually shovelled overboard. Being sea sick over the sorting tray on a rocking trawler at night was par for the course, but his sea sickness only lasted for 10 years.   Coleman’s Pygmy Seahorse Hippocampus colemani Kuiter, 2003 (22mm) Visiting Lord Howe Island on photographic fauna surveys for 35 years it was not until December 2001 that this beautiful little seahorse was discovered in the lagoon in only three metres of water, eight metres from the dive site mooring. It demonstrates just how much we miss. This site has been dived by thousands of divers over 25 years yet the pygmy seahorse remained undiscovered.     Coleman’s Bubble Coral Shrimp Vir colemani Bruce, 2004 ( 15mm) First discovered and photographed by Neville at Milne Bay Papua New Guinea in the early 1980's, it was not until 2002 that this reasonably common species was further investigated at Loloata Island Papua New Guinea and currently described. We now know it to be fairly widespread with specimens being photographed from Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Vanuatu. It lives on the bubble coral Plerogyra sinuosa in depths of 8 to 20metres. Neville on location - All welcome! Each year Neville visits various dive resorts across the Indo-Pacific where he is carrying out ongoing fauna surveys on behalf of the resort managements. These services are on a voluntary basis and are donated in an effort to establish baseline studies for locations and dive sites across the Asia/Indo-Pacific Australasian area. Guests and dive staff are always welcome to participate and with a little encouragement many have contributed to the discovery of new records and new species which they receive individual credit for in our resulting magazine articles and eventual publication of listings and/or books. Coleman's Cuthona.   Photographing in mangrove forests or wetlands requires special preparations for protecting person and equipment from natural dangers and adverse conditions.    At home in the mangroves, deserts and rainforests of the Indo-Pacific, Neville's love of nature was first developed by facing his greatest fears underwater and pursuing a passion for knowledge.... adventures in learning.   Snorkelling silhouetes at Lord Howe Island. Appointments Publisher/Editor: Designer: Neville Coleman's Underwater Geographic Magazine (14 years) (1980 to 1995) Director: Neville Coleman's World of Water Curator: Australasian Marine Photographic Index Principal: Neville Coleman's Skill Development Programs Author: One of the western world's leading underwater natural history authors Professional Photographer: Over 100,000 stock transparencies, 12,000 species of marine life Explorer: Headed the Australian Coastal Marine Expedition (1969-1973). Over 160 worldwide expeditions since then. Lecturer: Presented over 350 environmental audio visuals at worldwide venue Research Associate: Australian Museum Honorary: Consultant Queensland Museum Scuba diver BSAC trained over 12,000 logged dives (1963 to 1995) Underwater Naturalist: 45 years discovering and observing underwater natural history including the discovery of over 450 species new to science Photo-journalist: One of the most published underwater photo journalists in the South Pacific (over 180 magazines since, over 1000 articles since 1973) Instructor: Certificate instructor for PADI (LFSI 102088) 8 Project AWARE Speciality courses for diving instruction in Australia (34 years field experience) Technical Adviser: "Sydney Aquarium" Advisory Committee Honorary Board of Governors (Asia Pacific): "Project Aware" Foundation (International) Member: Australian Institute of Professional Photographers Coast and Wetlands Society (life member) ORRCA Inc (Associate Member) Professional Association of Diving Instructors Society of Advertising, Commercial and Magazine Photographers Whale Conservation Society Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia Underwater photographers entering the water. British West Indies. Awards: NAUI - Diving Industry Service Award - 1984 Commonwealth Medal Australian Photographic Society's highest award - 1984 Whitley Book award - 1988 AUF Development of Diving 0 1988 Banksia Environmental Foundation - Waterways & Marine 1991 Award Winner - Australasian Marine Photographic Index Dive Industry & Travel Assoc of Australia - Scuba Excellence Award - "Service to Education" 1991 Australian Institute of Professional Photography - "Honorary Fellowship" 1991 - the first such award ever given in underwater photography Scuba Schools International - "Platinum Pro 5000 Card" awarded to world's top 1% divers. DEMA 93. Golden Fin Award - for outstanding contribution by an individual to the diving industry and the concept of environmental conservation 1995 Inductee International Scuba Divers Hall of Fame 2007 Judge of Photography: "Australian Underwater Photographer of the Year" (South Pacific Divers) 1982 - 1983 Heron Island Dive Festival - Underwater Photographic Competition - 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1989 - 1990 - 1991 - 1992 - 1993 Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, USA) - Underwater Photographic Competition 1989 2nd Annual Flores Underwater Festival (Indonesia) - International Underwater Photographic Competition 1991 1st Great, Great Barrier Reef Photography Shootout (Lady Elliott Island) 1991 SUBIOS '95 - Seychelles/"SUBIOS" - '97 - Seychelles (Indian Ocean) Judge of Environmental Awards: Banksia Environmental Foundation Award - Waterways and Marine - 1990 Banksia Environmental Foundation Awards - Waterways and Marine - 1992