JD’s Story: Transforming Alaska’s cold-water diving into a force for marine conservation and community resilience

By Climate Champions | December 13, 2024

An interview with: JD Stimson with Dive Alaska

Country & Region: Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Breakthrough: Coastal Tourism

Beneficiaries / Impact: The commercial fishing industry in Alaska, once the backbone of coastal communities like Cordova, is facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change and offshore overfishing. As fish populations decline and traditional livelihoods become unsustainable, many locals are turning to eco-tourism as an alternative means of income. This shift has seen a rise in ecotourism ventures across the state, where the focus is on preserving Alaska’s natural beauty and educating visitors about the importance of environmental stewardship. According to the The Alaska Travel Industry Association, tourism is a key component of their economy, drawing 2.7 million visitors between May 2022 and April 2023. This influx contributed $3.9 billion in direct spending and a total economic impact of $5.6 billion during that period. Tourism supports 48,000 jobs and generates over $157 million in state revenue through permits, fees, tickets, and taxes. Visitor spending has surged 40% since 2016, with travelers staying an average of 8.5 nights in the state, highlighting the importance of continued investment in tourism marketing to keep Alaska competitive on the global stage. JD Stimson’s work at Dive Alaska is a prime example of this kind of investment. By offering immersive cold-water diving experiences and promoting sustainable practices, Dive Alaska not only attracts thousands of locals and hundreds of tourists per year, but also helps preserve Alaska’s fragile ecosystems. With over 600 new divers becoming certified and 400+ advancing their skills, Dive Alaska has been at the heart of the ecotourism movement when it comes to scuba and freediving. The rise of eco-tourism is providing new opportunities for Alaskans, allowing them to remain connected to the environment while adapting to the economic realities of a changing world

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JD Stimson, a 28-year-old from the remote fishing village of Cordova, Alaska, grew up surrounded by the rugged beauty and rich traditions of his coastal hometown. Cordova, located at the mouth of the Copper River, is renowned for its sustainable fishing practices and tight-knit community. Today, JD channels this deep connection to his environment as the Operations Manager and Freediving Instructor at Dive Alaska, one of the state’s few diving operations specializing in cold-water scuba and freediving. At Dive Alaska, JD not only leads explorations but also focuses on community development and protecting Alaska’s natural resources, from alpine lakes to the vast ocean.

The Edges of Earth team had the privilege of diving alongside JD, where they witnessed his unwavering passion for both the underwater world and his community. JD is someone who doesn’t just talk about his values—he puts them into action. Whether it’s making a stop to buy shoes for someone in need, or taking the time to educate locals on sustainable diving practices, JD is consistently focused on playing his part above and below water. His commitment to doing what’s right is evident in both his everyday interactions and his efforts to protect the place he’s always called home in the ways he can.

GROWING UP IN RURAL ALASKA

Where I grew up, there were no roads, no easy access. You had to fly in or take a ferry. It was a small fishing village where we spent most of our time on or around the water, living off the land and sea. The nature was incredible—every day, you’d see moose, bears, black-tailed deer, mountain goats, salmon, halibut, lingcod—you name it. Wildlife was everywhere, just within arm’s reach. The commercial fishing industry was huge, and we saw the daily impacts of overfishing and underfishing. We were always asking, “How are we going to sustain our livelihood?”

I was a commercial fisherman for about 10 years, starting young. We ran boats and saw lots of changes over time. Fishing was how we survived, how we fed our families, and we did it as sustainably and ethically as possible. The state strictly manages local commercial fishing, with biologists and others outside of the industry working alongside us to ensure it’s done right. But these days, a lot of the fish are caught before they even reach places like Cordova.

Massive industrial-scale operations—trawlers and draggers—are wiping out entire populations, making it harder for locals to sustain themselves. It’s a double-edged sword—people in Cordova need to survive and so do those living a “subsistence lifestyle” further upriver. How do you make this right when most of the fish are being caught before they even get to this small community? I don’t think you can. Not with mainstream commercial fishing practices at least.

The local fishery in Cordova is much smaller scale, mostly gill netting—usually a one- or two-person operation on a small boat. It’s a cleaner, more direct process with less bycatch, and the fish go straight to restaurants or canneries. But with locals unable to sustain themselves through fishing, it’s really scary. This summer was particularly bad—declared a run failure by the state. When something that has sustained your family for generations suddenly isn’t working anymore, what do you do? People are leaving Cordova, and the population is dwindling. Whether it’s climate change, overfishing, or both—it’s all connected to human activity.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH WATER

Living in the wilderness teaches you how to live in balance with the land and sea. I fell in love with diving the moment I learned about it, even before I took my first breath underwater at 12 years old. But as I got older, life happened. First, I was working in commercial fishing, then I was working as a general contractor. Nature, the outdoors, and diving became just hobbies as I focused on paying the bills.

Then my dad died suddenly. He was the type who lived every day to the fullest—full speed ahead, no regrets. When he died, I had a lightbulb moment: I wanted to do what made me happy. I quit my job, as my heart wasn’t in it, and started volunteering at Dive Alaska, where I am today.

Growing up in rural Alaska, our life was all about being outside. We filled our freezers with what we caught, and we spent time learning to appreciate the outdoors. My dad got me into diving—I got my junior open water scuba certification with him. We went camping, hiking, hunting, fishing—you name it. He shaped my perspective on what it means to appreciate the outdoors, especially the water and diving.

Diving brings me peace, serenity, and joy that I haven’t found above water. Underwater, all the noise quiets, and I just get to be. It’s where I’m the most genuine version of myself, free from insecurities, fear, or ego. This connection with nature is deeper because, underwater, there’s no extra noise to distract you. I’m living in Anchorage, one of Alaska’s main ports and biggest cities. Things are different here than they were growing up in bush Alaska. More people, less space. Growing up in a town of around 2,000-2,500 people, Anchorage felt like the biggest city on the planet to me—like New York City! But even living in a city now, I’m comforted that I have nature everywhere I look. Instead of a 2 minute walk from my house, it’s a 20 minute drive.

BUILDING A CAREER IN NATURE 

Dive Alaska wears many hats, but for me, it’s about the community. It’s a place where people find a deeper connection with Alaska’s wild—a spot for connecting, finding dive buddies, and planning how to experience the natural world around them. That’s how I ended up at Dive Alaska. I found a place where I was accepted, where the community was engaged and active, even though we’re right here in Anchorage, we are constantly in nature.

In my current role, I see the community we’re building from the inside. I talk to people who are just like me. I remember walking into Dive Alaska for the first time and thinking, “This is it. This is what I’ve been looking for my whole life.” And now, I get to have that same conversation with others. We are creating a community that is all about approaching nature in the right way as our world modernizes. Dive Alaska is just the vessel that helps bring people and the planet together. The people who come through our doors are the reason we can do harbor cleanups, explore uncharted territories, and forge closer bonds with nature.

Last winter, we did a harbor cleanup in Whittier, a tiny coastal town here in Alaska. It was negative 30 outside, the water was 29 degrees, and there was a sheet of ice on the harbor surface. We hauled up almost 5,000 pounds of trash with 170 volunteers, despite the conditions. This is what makes me happy—dedicating time, effort, heart, and soul to taking care of our harbors, our natural spaces, no matter what’s going on around us.

The way we care for our oceans, waterways, and watersheds begins with the very first step (or dip). As a diver, one of our core values is that you’re committing to leaving the water better than you found it. This principle is ingrained from the start of a diver’s training—it’s a fundamental part of becoming certified. I remember being 12 years old, sitting in my open water class, where we spent significant time learning how to be better stewards of our water. That early education laid the foundation, and as your diving skills grow, so does your commitment to protecting the environments you get the chance to explore. That’s the true power of being a diver: we become stewards of the natural world, witnessing and preserving what many others never see.

LIVING AMONG CONSTANT CHANGE 

Since I started diving as a kid, I’ve noticed significant shifts in Alaska’s waters. The most obvious change is the increasing presence of warm-water species. Growing up in a commercial fishing town, I’d hear the old-timers tell stories about seeing a tuna once, or someone catching a turtle by accident—these were rare, shocking events. Now, it’s common to find tuna in Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska. Leatherback turtles, once unheard of here, are showing up regularly, along with sunfish (Mola Mola). Just ten years ago, this would have been mind-blowing but today, it’s the new normal.

I’ve also noticed a dramatic rise in water temperature. In the last decade, temperatures have increased by about 10 degrees. When I first started diving, the water was truly cold—now, it’s just “cold.” That might not sound like much to most people, but it’s a significant change, especially in such a short period. This rapid warming is leading to more frequent algae blooms, larger jellyfish populations, and an increased risk of red tide, which can devastate marine life.

We’re also getting more sunshine every summer, and while that might sound pleasant, it’s having a downside. Warmer temperatures can lead to massive red tides that kill off marine ecosystems—no kelp growth, no plankton blooms, and a steep decline in biodiversity. It’s disheartening to witness a summer where life under the surface is slowly fading away.

Alaska’s underwater ecosystems are incredibly diverse and can change drastically depending on where you are. We have everything here—sandy beaches, beautiful coral, and an abundance of kelp species like sugar kelp, bow kelp, and ribbon kelp. The biodiversity is astonishing, ranging from tiny invertebrates to giant sea lions and whales. It’s common to see halibut, lingcod, rockfish, flounder, salmon, black bass, pollock, and more.

What really excites me is the underwater topography and bathymetry. The landscape is craggy, cave-like, raw, and intensely rugged—just like the towering mountains on land, but submerged. Diving here feels like exploring an underwater mecca, full of life. It’s one of the big reasons I decided to stay in Alaska and continue working and diving here. But the environment is changing, and it’s impossible not to notice.

Take the giant sea star, for example. These massive, 16-legged sea stars are stunning in their purple, red, and orange colors, but they’re also incredibly fragile. I’ve seen their population dwindle over the years. There were times when you couldn’t dive without seeing thousands of them. But now, in places like Homer, where I used to dive and see vibrant sea walls covered in sea stars, they’ve almost completely disappeared. I’m not sure what’s causing the decline, but there’s clearly something happening that’s reducing their numbers.

HEAVY ENGAGEMENT LEADS TO POSITIVE CHANGE

About six years ago, Dive Alaska started gaining momentum, and it hasn’t slowed down since. I’ve been with Dive Alaska for about four years, and I’ve witnessed this continuous growth firsthand. Every day, we see new faces, more people interested in diving, and a steady increase in excitement about the water. It’s our job to keep that momentum going—to keep people excited about exploring and protecting our underwater world.

A lot of people, even in the lower 48, don’t realize you can dive in Alaska. We get asked all the time, “Where can you dive here?” My answer is always, “I’d dive in a puddle if it’s deep enough!” That’s often the spark that gets people curious, and then I get to share the incredible ecosystems and topography we have here. Alaska is full of water, and with it comes so much to see and protect. Our mission is to keep that excitement high—teach people how to scuba dive and freedive, how to manage in cold water with a drysuit, and get more people in the water so they can truly understand and care about what’s here, whether they’re locals or just visiting.

There’s more interest in diving now than ever before, and I believe it’s for a few reasons. First, our team’s passion is undeniable. Every member of our team is dedicated, willing to dive on their days off, and committed to working seven days a week to get more people in the water safely and sustainably. This is a labor of love, and it’s inspiring to see how that passion fuels long-term success. We’re creating something special—fun, educational, and inviting—and that’s what drew me in. I knew I wanted to be part of it.

The global pandemic also shifted people’s mindsets. As outdoor activities surged, life started to feel shorter, and people wanted to make the most of it. During the pandemic, we saw a massive uptick in interest, and that desire to be outside and connect with nature has stuck with people. As a result, we’re seeing more people in the water, more people connected with nature, and more people trained to be water stewards like never before.

If we want to drive positive change in our ever-changing world, especially here in Alaska, we need to keep the community engaged. When people are engaged, they want to stay involved. If we can maintain this level of engagement, it’s only going to grow, like a snowball getting bigger and bigger. We’ll keep doing bigger and better things because we have the community, the resources, and the people willing to put in the time. Planes, helicopters, boats—you name it, we’ve got it, and that means we can do a lot to protect our natural world. But we make it fun, not depressing. Because of that, people are ready to help, and if Dive Alaska continues to foster that engagement, the future looks bright for our local waterways.

From a community standpoint, I just want to see people keep diving. That’s all we can do, right? If people keep diving, only good can come from it—especially when it comes to climate change. What does it mean to be a diver? It means more people are underwater, more people are seeing what’s beneath the surface, and more people will inevitably want to protect it. It’s as simple as that.

As told to Andi Cross in August 2024.

ABOUT THE OCEAN BREAKTHROUGHS

Resulting from the joint efforts of the Ocean & Coastal Zones community and building on the Ocean for Climate Declaration, the Ocean Breakthroughs have identified five turning points to reach by 2030 in order to achieve a healthy and productive ocean in 2050. These five turning points are focused around the most crucial ocean sectors: marine conservation, ocean renewable energy, shipping, aquatic food, and coastal tourism. Accelerated action and investments in each will help unlock the potential of the ocean as a source of solutions to the pressing challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

The scientific evidence is clear: as a major climate regulator and the largest living space on Earth, the ocean is integral to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework. The Ocean Breakthroughs are science-based targets designed to boost mitigation and adaptation efforts, for the benefit of People and Nature. They will contribute to delivering on the global campaigns led by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, namely the Race to Resilience and Race to Zero, and their respective action agendas: the Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda and the 2030 Breakthroughs.

ABOUT THE HLC X EDGES OF EARTH EXPEDITION

The women-led global expedition, Edges of Earth, has partnered with the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions (HLC) to bring to life the Ocean Breakthroughs initiative by sharing personal accounts and climate action stories from remote coastal communities. This media partnership will feature interview-style stories that highlight the experiences and efforts of locals, Indigenous communities, nonprofits, and ocean scientists in addressing climate change. Celebrating its one-year anniversary, Edges of Earth has traveled to 25 countries (with nearly 30+ more to go throughout 2025) working closely with diverse groups to understand and amplify their climate resilience strategies. Through this collaboration, Edges of Earth will spotlight the five Ocean Breakthroughs by showcasing diverse voices and solutions to accelerate global climate action.