About Me
Sharif Sarwar is a unique name in the field of underwater and underwater photography in Bangladesh, whose professional path has taken a turn from the lens of a land-based camera to depicting the complex ecosystems of the deep sea.
Name: Sharif Sarwar, Father’s name: Late Golam Sarwar, Mother’s name: Suraiya Begum, Date of birth: May 5, 1971, Permanent address: Village: Darihair Mara, Post: Manipura, Thana: Raipura, District: Narsingdi, Bangladesh., Current address: K-145/2, Joar Sahara Bazar, Post: Khilkhet, Thana: Bhatara, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh. We are 4 brothers, one sister, I am the eldest.
Professional underwater photographer and a guide in Bangladesh
Sharif Sarwar’s career began in 1997, when he started working as a photojournalist in a national newspaper of Bangladesh. In a short time, he rose to the top professionally, working in leading media outlets like Dainik Prabhat, Daily News Today and Prothom Alo. An important phase of his career was with Dainik Jayadayin. He served as the Chief Photojournalist of this widely circulated daily until 2009, which indicated his expertise and authority in the national press. His leadership is also reflected in the platform of Bangladesh Photojournalist Association (BPJA); he served as the elected Senior Vice President of the organization for the term 2017-18.
I started underwater photography in February 2012 on St. Martin’s Island in Bangladesh. The beginning was very difficult, I did not know scuba diving, had little idea about the ocean, underwater life, did not have adequate camera equipment, after starting, once I understood and recognized the ocean well, I could not go back. I have developed myself bit by bit, spending a long time amidst thousands of hardships, and I am still learning.
PADI Open Water Diver 2012 Thailand
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver 2014 Thailand
PADI EFR-Primary & Secondary Care Scuba Tech 2024 Kuwait
PADI Rescue Diver Scuba Tech 2024 Kuwait
PADI AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Speciality Scuba Tech 2024 Kuwait
Reef Check Eco Diver Reef Check 2024 Malaysia
PADI Dive master 2025 Maldives
PADI Free Diver 2025 Maldives
He has established himself as an international professional in the diving industry by earning the PADI Divemaster certification from Maldives in 2025. This level proves that he is not only a skilled underwater photographer, but also a diving expert who is able to take ultimate authority in team management, diving logistics and ensure safety standards. At the same time, earning the PADI Free Diver certification in 2025 gives him the ability to perform underwater photography at such depth and precision.
The combination of commercial and leadership licenses such as PADI Divemaster and scientific audit certifications such as Reef Check Eco Diver make him an unparalleled asset to his research partners. This combined expertise has transformed him from a mere photographer to a reliable documentation expert who follows scientific protocols while maintaining research standards. This technical excellence ensures that the visual data he provides is of the utmost reliability for academic and government policy-making.
Reef Check Eco Diver certification from Reef Check, Malaysia, in 2024. This is a very important certification, which enables him to conduct health assessments and data collection of coral reefs and marine ecosystems using globally recognized methods.
Underwater Specializations
Strategic Partner of National Research Institutions
He has worked closely with leading research institutions in Bangladesh, establishing his central importance in the country’s marine research infrastructure.
He has worked with Bangladesh and the Oceanographic Research Institute, Bangladesh Department of Environment, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Fisheries Department, Dhaka University Botany Department, Dhaka University Zoology and Environment Department, Chittagong University Marine Science, UNDP, and other research and marine pollution related organizations for underwater photography and documentation.
There is a lack of underwater photography and documentation in marine research organizations in Bangladesh. An expert like Sharif Sarwar fills that vital technological gap, bringing rare data from the depths of the Bay of Bengal to researchers. Through this, he not only takes pictures, but also enables national research institutions that are essential for the development of Bangladesh’s blue economy. His images and video footage are essential for directly influencing national policy-making and the success of ambitious marine research.
Underwater Photography on National Boundaries
A large part of Sharif Sarwar’s documentation covers the biodiversity of the Bay of Bengal and its coastal areas. He has captured images and videos of the local ecosystems, corals, and other marine life by diving on Sonadia Island, Nijhum Island, and St. Martin’s Island. His work has also revealed the mysteries of the deep sea of the Bay of Bengal; he has dived and collected footage in Swatch of No Ground.
Underwater Photography in Rivers, Haors, and Lakes
Another specialized aspect of Sharif Sarwar’s work is his underwater photography in rivers, haors, and lakes. He has not limited himself to the sea; rather, he has delved into the depths of Bangladesh’s inland aquatic ecosystems. He has done underwater photography in the Padma, Brahmaputra, Piyain River, Lalakhal, Karnaphuli, Halda (which is well known for its natural fish breeding), Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers.
He also has experience in underwater photography in lakes and other water bodies such as Hakaluki Haor, Tanguar Haor (which is protected as a Ramsar site), Kaptai Lake, Ramsagar in Dinajpur and Boga Lake in Bandarban. Underwater photography in freshwater is extremely difficult as the visibility in rivers and haors is usually low and the currents can be strong. This wide range of work from Boga Lake (a mountain lake) to the deepest parts of the Bay of Bengal proves that his diving and photography skills are not limited to marine or coastal areas, but rather extend across the entire aquatic ecosystem of Bangladesh. This versatility makes him indispensable for inland aquatic research in the country.
Underwater Photography Across International Borders
Outside Bangladeshi waters, he has taken underwater photography day and night at numerous dive sites including Phuket, Pattaya, Kho Tao Island, Koh Chang Island, Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. He has also taken underwater photographs at numerous dive sites including Dal Lake in Kashmir, India, South China Sea, Kho Tao Island in Malaysia and Indian Ocean in Maldives.
Rare and Endangered Marine Biodiversity
His camera has captured a vast array of amazing and diverse marine biodiversity. His focus includes whale sharks, tiger sharks, manta rays, reef sharks, nurse sharks and sting rays. He has also captured the intricate and microscopic biodiversity of the marine environment such as octopuses, jellyfish, sea urchins, scorpion fish, lion fish, star fish, various species of coral, sea cucumbers, seaweed, slugs, moray eels, box fish, sea horses, angel fish, giant clams and turtles. His underwater photography also includes depictions of sunken warships, seamounts, and caves, which can be useful in geological and archaeological research.
Underwater Cleanup Initiative
He has documented various types of garbage in the Bay of Bengal and beyond, including plastic bottle caps, detergent packets, biscuit packets, nets, public transport tires, and plastic cans. This visual documentation makes the problem of marine litter not just theoretical but locally relevant and brings human neglect of the environment to the center of national discussion. This series of cleanup activities proves that he uses his photography as a tool for social change.
Since 2013, he has been conducting underwater cleanup activities on the seabed every year on his own initiative. He consciously highlights the beauty of the sea as well as its distressed side, which creates a powerful dual scenario in his work.
Establishing Coral Nurseries
His role in Bangladesh’s marine conservation initiatives is pioneering. In 2018, he actively participated in the historic work of establishing the first experimental coral nursery on the seabed in Bangladesh. This revolutionary step is very important for restoring marine ecosystems and combating the harmful effects of climate change.
Impact Through Publication And Promotion
His underwater photographs and reports have received wide coverage in the media of Bangladesh. His work has been regularly published in leading Bengali and English newspapers and online media such as Prothom Alo, Ittefaq, Jugantor, Daily Star, New Nation, Independent, New Age, Daily Sun, Bangladesh Pratidin, Janakantha, Inquilab, Jago News and Banik Barta.
In addition, his videos have been broadcast on various TV channels including NTV, RTV, 71 TV, 21st TV, Channel 24, Maasranga TV and Independent TV, Bangla Vision. This widespread promotion has multiplied the impact of his work in creating public awareness and educated the common people of the country about the biodiversity of the Bay of Bengal and the need for its conservation.
Exhibitions, Books & Awards
His first solo underwater photography exhibition in Bangladesh was held at Drik Gallery in 2012 and at Bishwa Sahitya Kendra in 2014. These exhibitions helped to raise the public awareness of the importance of marine documentation early in his underwater career. In addition, his photographs have been exhibited in numerous group photo exhibitions organized in Dhaka and Sylhet. Among the published books, “BAY OF BENGAL: Bounties Untold” is notable, where some of his photographs taken with foreign underwater photographers have been included, which recognizes the quality of his work in an international context.
Sharif Sarwar Is A National Treasure
Sharif Sarwar has established himself as the first professional underwater photographer in Bangladesh, essential for marine research and environmental conservation. His professional journey serves as a model, showing the younger generation of Bangladesh how adventure, science and environmental awareness can be integrated into a fulfilling and influential profession.
Awards
The main theme of Sharif Sarwar’s photojournalism was the environment and social awareness. Environmental awareness was particularly reflected in his photographs, as a result of which he was awarded numerous awards and honors. These awards include the Bangladesh Environmental Journalist Forum Award and the Bangladesh Environmental Movement Award, in addition, he won the Bangladesh Photographic Society Award, which was received from the then President Iazuddin Ahmed. He won the “Man of the Year” award organized by the Bangladesh Photojournalist Association twice for photographs published in newspapers.
Future aspirations
If I get the right support, I would like to create a science-based database of my underwater images so that future generations of researchers, environmentalists and the general public can benefit.
