By: Morgan Perkins

Beneath the Sea 2000, held in Seacaucus, New Jersey, at the Meadowlands Convention Center March 26, inaugurated the Women’s Diving Hall of Fame. Deo Fisher along with 55 other women were honored for the significant contributions they have made to the diving industry in a variety of fields; from exploration to science and technology.

For those of you who have the honor of knowing Deo personally, you already know what an amazing woman she is. She has been the backbone of the Fisher family from their early beginnings in California through today, good times and bad. Her significant contributions to the diving industry are indisputable, helping to develop prototype underwater cameras, spearguns and salvage equipment, just scratches the surface of what she has accomplished.

Deo began her illustrious diving career in 1953, when she first met her husband Mel. Together, Deo and Mel built Mel’s Aqua Shop in Redondo Beach, California, earning each brick for the shop diving for lobster. As well as raising four small children, Deo worked with Mel in all aspects of the business, including offering instruction to new divers. Diving was a new sport to everyone, especially woman. Finding that very few woman came to the shop, Deo decided to generate some publicity. She spent 55 hours, 39 minutes and 16 seconds submerged in a porpoise tank at the Ocean Aquarium in Hermosa Beach, California; breaking the World Record for most time spent underwater.

The Fisher’s realized early on that the water was their future. When the family decided to relocate to Florida, they began the adventure that has made them known world wide -- treasure hunting. One of the most famous stories of the century, Mel and Deo gave their lives to the quest for the Atocha, and realized their dream. There is no aspect of our operations Deo has not had a hand in making a success. Thank you Deo for all you have done and congratulations; it is an honor well deserved.