DEEP OCEAN EXPEDITIONS - TEAM MEMBERS

Rob McCallum

Rob McCallum is a project manager for Deep Ocean Expeditions. Rob joined DOE after a successful career as a New Zealand conservation manager where he was responsible for the management of the Auckland Region. He has a strong interest in marine science and exploration having managed five New Zealand marine reserves including the 750,000 hectare (1.85 million acre) Kermadec Marine Reserve. A highlight of his career was the design and establishment of the 50,000 hectare Aotea Marine Reserve in 2005.

Having grown up in Papua New Guinea, Rob returned to Melanesia as a technical advisor/operations specialist to the United Nations where he specialized in establishing conservation areas in remote locations. He has completed a Master of Science at the University of Wales (Aberystwyth) and his work in Papua New Guinea formed the basis of his thesis. His book "Race for the Rainforest" is considered a definitive text for conservation managers operating in developing countries.

Rob's passion is planning and undertaking expeditions in remote locations and he has done so for a variety of government, non-government and commercial entities. A veteran of several seasons expedition cruising in the Antarctic, including a full circumnavigation of the continent in 2001, his work with Deep Ocean Expeditions continues his delight of new horizons.  

A qualified PADI Divemaster (Nitrox) he has undertaken dive expeditions around the world including the Coral Sea, Fiji, Cocos/Malpelo, New Zealand, Australia and the Deep Ocean Expeditions voyages to Vanuatu (2004) and French Polynesia (2005) as the dive coordinator. He was Expedition Leader for the 2005 R.M.S. Titanic Expedition.

Rob is a keen fixed-wing pilot, diver and traveler.