Congratulations to Howard Rosenstein, 2026 Distinguished Service NOGI Award Winner!
Honoured alongside other luminaries of the underwater world – 2026 winners Jonathan Bird (Arts), Richie Kohler Sports & Education), Professor Simon Mitchell (Science) and Cristina Zenato (Environment) – Howard’s decades of achievements have now been recognised by his peers. As a pioneer of Red Sea and Indian Ocean diving, dive school and equipment entrepreneur, environmentalist, peace negotiator, and not least author, Howard has lived a fascinating life.
The NOGI Award — often called the “Oscar of the ocean world” — is the highest and oldest honour in the recreational diving community, presented annually by the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences (AUAS) since 1960.
The awards were given in four categories until 2013 when a fifth category for the environment was added:
ARTS: Filmmakers, painters, photographers, sculptors and other artists who bring the majesty of the underwater world to people everywhere.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE: World-renowned as well as quiet achievers whose contributions keep the wheels of the diving industry and the global diving community turning.
ENVIRONMENT: Scientists, lobbyists, fundraisers, advocates and more who dedicate(d) their lives to the preservation of the health of our oceans and the life within.
SCIENCE: Explorers, inventors, doctors and scientists whose work helps us understand, enjoy and protect our precious underwater realm.
SPORTS/EDUCATION: Outstanding athletes who have personally pushed the physical boundaries of our sport. Educators who devote themselves to teaching us how to make diving safe and enjoyable or who teach us about the oceans and the life within.
You can see the list of all past winners at the NOGI website: https://www.auas-nogi.org/