When Dr. Bart Hazes looks at the ocean, he doesn’t just see fish—he sees data, stories, and the urgent need for conservation. With a background in molecular biology and bioinformatics, Bart has spent decades decoding the microscopic world of proteins and pathogens. But in recent years, his passion has shifted toward documenting, studying, and sharing the underwater world—contributions that have made him a valued collaborator of FishBase.
“I regularly found fish that did not appear in fish identification books or websites like FishBase,” Bart recalls. ls of his early diving days. “The realization that I could contribute new observations about the underwater world was a big stimulus to maximize the use of my vacation time towards diving trips.”
That realization changed the trajectory of his career. Originally from the Netherlands, Bart earned his PhD in structural biology studying the protein structure of horseshoe crab hemocyanin—the blue copper-based molecule that plays the role of hemoglobin in these ancient creatures. After moving to Canada for what was supposed to be a one-year postdoc, he built an academic career spanning vaccine research, bacterial and viral pathogenesis, and molecular sequence bioinformatics. But the call of the ocean never left.
By the age 56 , Bart had decided to retire early and dedicate himself full time to fish. Today, he spends winters diving for months at a time, and the rest of the year analyzing fish data back in Canada. His milestones tell the story of a career evolving into a conservation mission: obtaining his PADI Divemaster certification (2022), conducting a coastal fish biodiversity survey in Dauin, Philippines (2023) where he recorded over 800 species, developing software to restructure the Catalog of Fishes into a semantic database (2024), and applying his bioinformatics expertise to uncover hidden mitochondrial genomes from sequencing datasets (2025).
A Database User Who Gives Back
Bart’s relationship with FishBase grew organically from being an active user to becoming a dedicated contributor. “FishBase, as an online resource, is highly accessible, widely used, and actively maintained,” he explains. “As a researcher, I also appreciate the rigor and citation of sources.”
Over time, he began filling in the gaps—contributing the first images for numerous species, extending geographic ranges, correcting taxonomy and ecological details, and providing the full dataset from his Dauin coastal survey. He also acknowledges the importance of collaboration behind the scenes: “I also want to mention the outstanding and meticulous efforts of Aque (Rachel Atanacio) who has always been my primary contact.”
Why FishBase Matters
For Bart, FishBase is more than a database—it’s a cornerstone of science and conservation. “I think FishBase is unique in its scientific approach to data management, its comprehensive coverage of all fishes, and citing the original sources for the data,” he says. It’s not only researchers who benefit. Divers and citizen scientists also turn to FishBase, although Bart notes that some may not fully appreciate its rigor compared to community-driven platforms like iNaturalist.
The balance of accessibility and scientific credibility has allowed FishBase to stand the test of time—even amid the challenges of “fickle funding.”
The Future of FishBase: Conservation at the Core
Looking ahead, Bart envisions FishBase playing an even greater role in global biodiversity conservation. While fisheries data has traditionally been a central focus, he hopes to see more emphasis on linking biodiversity to geography and ecology.
“With the renewed prominence of biodiversity conservation, I would hope funding to study the full breadth of fish biodiversity would become more readily available,” he says. “In particular, I would like to see biodiversity data linked to geography and ecology. The latter is largely missing in any resource I have looked at, but crucial if we want to learn what aspects of habitats need to be protected to satisfy the requirements of species throughout their life cycle.”
His wish for the future of FishBase is simple but vital: “Continued long-term stable funding!”
A Life Underwater and in Data
From studying protein structures to documenting reef fish, Bart Hazes embodies the fusion of science, passion, and conservation. With more than 25,000 fish images in his collection—and counting—his work is not only enriching FishBase but also inspiring a new wave of citizen science and biodiversity awareness.
As FishBase marks 35 years, voices like Bart’s remind us why it matters: our oceans still hold countless life forms waiting to be discovered, understood, and safeguarded—so that generations to come may continue to marvel at the richness of marine biodiversity.