Natasha Benjamin is a marine scientist and filmmaker based in Northern California, with over 20 years of experience in ocean science, conservation, and storytelling. A diver, surfer, and lifelong ocean enthusiast, she has spent her career not just studying the marine world but immersing herself in it — bringing that firsthand experience to every film and campaign she creates.

Natasha is Associate Director at Blue Frontier, where she leads ocean media and policy work, developing campaigns and content that translate complex ocean science into stories the public can connect with. Her work spans producing films and digital media, shaping messaging on ocean climate policy, and building partnerships with coastal communities, scientists, and conservation organizations up and down the California coast.

She co-directed the award-winning documentary Sequoias of the Sea, on the collapse of Northern California's kelp forests, and has produced a number of short films on ocean science and conservation, including work for the award-winning Brick City TV, bringing pressing ocean issues to wider audiences. Previously, as Policy & Outreach Director at Marine Applied Research & Exploration, she led initiatives in deep-sea exploration and marine protected areas.

Natasha holds a B.S. in Marine Biology from Boston University and an M.S. in Marine Policy from the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS).

ocean advocacy

Natasha has 25 years experience in ocean conservation, science and communications. She works on a diverse range of ocean issues from sustainable fisheries to ocean climate action.

  • Blue Frontier

    As Associate Director of with Blue Frontier, Natasha works on developing local and national policy to build a sustainable blue economy. Building on her background in marine science and fisheries management and strong expertise in science, policy and partnership building, she is working on Blue Frontier’s Ocean Climate Action Plan partnering with the Center for the Blue Economy.

  • Rising Tide Ocean Podcast

    Natasha helps produce ‘Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast‘, as Blue Frontier project, where you meet today’s ocean champions, including senators, scientists, surfers, and youth activists covering a range of issues, including climate change, overfishing, and plastic pollution. Co-hosted by Blue Frontier's David Helvarg and the Inland Ocean Coalition's Vicki Nichols-Goldstein.

  • MARE

    As Media Director at Marine Applied Research & Exploration (MARE) Natasha works on developing media content on deep-sea research, marine protected areas and blue technology.

    MARE is a non-profit organization based in Richmond, California whose mission is to explore and document the world’s oceans to support their conservation and stewardship.