Erick Higuera is a Mexican marine biologist and wildlife filmmaker specializing in natural history sequences of marine wildlife. For over 20 years, he has explored the waters surrounding the Baja California Peninsula, Guadalupe Island, Revillagigedo National Park, and the Mexican Pacific, photographing and filming the natural behavior of marine wildlife.  His work has been featured in high-quality nature film productions from traditional commissioners – BBC Studios, Netflix, Discovery Channel and National Geographic – and has streamed on Amazon, Disney+, Discovery+, and Apple TV, among others. His work involves capturing the beauty and complexity of marine systems, from natural habitats to the interactions between top predators and their prey.

In 1998 he obtained certifications as a diving instructor (SSI, TDI, PADI) in various technical and recreational specialties and worked in the dive tourism industry for many years accumulating thousands of hours underwater. In 2003, he earned his university degree in Marine Biology, specializing in the study of elasmobranchs and later cetaceans. It was during his career in the diving industry that he began taking underwater photographs and eventually made his way into the world of wildlife filmmaking.

Alongside film work, since 2006, Higuera has carried out scientific research on photo-identification, satellite tagging, abundance estimation, and movement patterns of the oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris), and with the Manta Pacific Collective, a team of highly trained marine biologists, they have raised awareness and help create better conservation policy management to preserve the population of this species in both the Gulf of California and the Archipelago of Revillagigedo. Currently, in collaboration with a team of marine  scientific researchers, conservationist fishermen, and non-governmental organizations, Erick is conducting scientific research and cinematography production on the natural history of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Gulf of California, a project that he began in 2018. Some of this information is helping the local government create better management plans and codes of conduct to regulate tourism activity with the aim of preserving and expanding the scientific knowledge of this species in the region. He is also a member of Pelagic Life, a nonprofit organization that creates visual content to promote sustainable tourism activities with marine species and, in general, raise awareness and foster resilient and healthy oceans.

His background in marine science gives him an edge in this field, as he understands animal behavior and ecosystem dynamics, helping him anticipate shots and capture authentic, behavior-driven sequences. He has worked as an underwater director of photography, camera operator, photographer and field researcher on high-end and conservation-focused productions with exceptional production teams, including the BBC Natural History Unit, Silverback Films, Wild Space Productions,  Humblebee Films, Terra Mater and Canal Once, among other film crews. 

Erick is also a National Geographic Explorer and a researcher, coauthor of several scientific publications on biology, behavior and ecology of orcas and giant manta rays. His work has been recognized with several honors, including the Stan Waterman Award for Excellence in Underwater Videography, the Howard Hall Award for Outstanding Achievement, Nature Best Photography, Donostia Cimasub San Sebastian, Mosaico Natura Conabio, Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, Siena International Photo Awards, and recognition as a Scuba Diving Magazine Sea Hero for his research and conservation work.

Through scientific research and storytelling, he unites science and emotion to show the ocean as it truly is and inspire people to care enough to protect it.