Marine biologist Andy Dehart is known throughout the aquarium world as a creative thinker and passionate leader, and as an expert in animal care and life support systems. His career started more than 30 years ago while he was still a student in high school as a volunteer docent at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. He spent more than a decade there, before going on to open three world-class aquariums: the Kingdom of the Seas Aquarium at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada in Toronto, and most recently the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Miami, Florida. There, he served as vice president of husbandry and marine conservation.
He is passionate about educating the public on marine life and ocean ecosystems, and was a shark advisor for the Discovery Channel between 2008 and 2012. He took part in several ‘Shark Week’ productions and worked with the Discovery Channel on a series of books to teach children about the importance of oceans and the role that sharks play within them. He has also appeared on network broadcasts including TODAY, NBC Nightly News, and Larry King Live.
Dehart has served on myriad dive safety, animal welfare, and conservation committees. He has also managed and mentored countless staff entering the aquarium industry. Many of today’s aquarium directors and curators have received guidance from him. Most people who know Dehart say he has more wetsuits than business suits.
He was named as the Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s president and CEO in June 2022. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) is known for its turtle research programmes and state-of-the-art turtle rehabilitation hospital. “Mr. Dehart’s passion for ocean conservation and vast knowledge of marine life will help LMC continue its vital research, rehabilitation, and education programs,” said Brian Waxman, LMC board chairman.
“Over the course of my 30-year career, I have been deeply involved in the conservation of the world’s oceans. I have collaborated with the team at Loggerhead Marinelife Center over the years and have always felt a strong connection,” said Dehart. “I could not be more excited to join the LMC family and continue their incredible work in education, conservation, and research, with their unique focus on the rescue and rehabilitation of sea turtles.”