Canadian filmmaker dies after scuba dive

The body of Canadian filmmaker and marine biologist Rob Stewart, who had gone missing after he went for a deep sea scuba diving session, was recovered from the Florida Keys, the US Coast Guard has confirmed.

Stewart was 37, and had gone for the scuba dive on Tuesday. He was visiting the wreck of the Queen of Nassau, and was in the area filming a sequel to his documentary "Sharkwater".

Stewart's body was recovered on Friday, reports variety.com.

The news comes after days of rescue operations. The Coast Guard took volunteer help, as did film distributor D Films, which worked with Stewart and considered him a "dear friend" of the company.

"If you have a boat with searchlights, please help," a tweet for D Film's account read, among other calls for help and re-tweeted articles and videos about the search.

Stewart was best known for directing and producing the 2006 film "Sharkwater", a critically-acclaimed conservation film that helped get shark finning banned worldwide. The film debuted at the Toronto Film Festival and won 31 awards internationally.

--IANS

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