La Jolla native earns diving honor

Jason Belport, who learned to scuba dive in La Jolla Cove, recently received the SSI Platinum Pro award, which recognizes “the most elite water explorers.”

The card honors those who complete 5,000 dives. Belport has been diving since 1983.

He worked as a manager and instructor at La Jolla Divers Supply before moving to the Cayman Islands, where he recently was promoted to general manager of the Little Cayman Beach Resort. He also is known for his undersea still photography.

A 1993 graduate of San Diego State, Belport is also a certified merchant mariner having completed the Coast Guard’s Maritime Institute program in marine technology and science.

At left, Jason Belport takes photos underwater at the Cayman Islands. For more photos go to