well good evening i’m brian scary or as oprah likes to call me the wet one you
oprah likes to call me the wet one you
oprah likes to call me the wet one you know i love photography and and always
know i love photography and and always
know i love photography and and always have but i think my passion for
have but i think my passion for
have but i think my passion for photography is a passion for animals and
photography is a passion for animals and
photography is a passion for animals and wildlife and particularly in the ocean
wildlife and particularly in the ocean
wildlife and particularly in the ocean there is just a host of problems and
there is just a host of problems and
there is just a host of problems and threats facing our world’s oceans today
threats facing our world’s oceans today
threats facing our world’s oceans today i’ve had the privilege of being a
i’ve had the privilege of being a
i’ve had the privilege of being a National Geographic photographer for the
National Geographic photographer for the
National Geographic photographer for the magazine for over 10 years now and I
magazine for over 10 years now and I
magazine for over 10 years now and I guess in the beginning when I began I
guess in the beginning when I began I
guess in the beginning when I began I started to just want to make beautiful
started to just want to make beautiful
started to just want to make beautiful pictures and tell celebratory stories if
pictures and tell celebratory stories if
pictures and tell celebratory stories if you will but in more recent times I’ve
you will but in more recent times I’ve
you will but in more recent times I’ve sort of shifted my focus to stories
sort of shifted my focus to stories
sort of shifted my focus to stories about these problems stories that I hope
about these problems stories that I hope
about these problems stories that I hope to bring readers that bring and raise
to bring readers that bring and raise
to bring readers that bring and raise awareness to some of these issues
awareness to some of these issues
awareness to some of these issues I think photography has a history of
I think photography has a history of
I think photography has a history of showing that it can change the world we
showing that it can change the world we
showing that it can change the world we hope I suppose as photographers to be
hope I suppose as photographers to be
hope I suppose as photographers to be able to do stories that make a
able to do stories that make a
able to do stories that make a difference
as we all know there’s an incredible
as we all know there’s an incredible amount of beauty in the world’s oceans
amount of beauty in the world’s oceans
amount of beauty in the world’s oceans but the business of underwater
but the business of underwater
but the business of underwater photography on the other hand is
photography on the other hand is
photography on the other hand is anything but pretty I mean this is me of
anything but pretty I mean this is me of
anything but pretty I mean this is me of course prepping one of my underwater
course prepping one of my underwater
course prepping one of my underwater cameras before a dive I can always count
cameras before a dive I can always count
cameras before a dive I can always count on my assistant to to be there with his
on my assistant to to be there with his
on my assistant to to be there with his camera and capture that decisive moment
camera and capture that decisive moment
camera and capture that decisive moment making me look good but you know of
making me look good but you know of
making me look good but you know of course if you actually get underwater
course if you actually get underwater
course if you actually get underwater things improve dramatically the oceans
things improve dramatically the oceans
things improve dramatically the oceans are spectacular
are spectacular
are spectacular there’s many beautiful things to see and
there’s many beautiful things to see and
there’s many beautiful things to see and a family over the years I’ve often been
a family over the years I’ve often been
a family over the years I’ve often been asked by people you know what it’s like
asked by people you know what it’s like
asked by people you know what it’s like to be an underwater photographer and I
to be an underwater photographer and I
to be an underwater photographer and I often tell them that you know it’s not
often tell them that you know it’s not
often tell them that you know it’s not that different than being a terrestrial
that different than being a terrestrial
that different than being a terrestrial wildlife photographer you know we have
wildlife photographer you know we have
wildlife photographer you know we have to spend weeks and months sometimes
to spend weeks and months sometimes
to spend weeks and months sometimes waiting for the weather waiting for
waiting for the weather waiting for
waiting for the weather waiting for animals to show up and for things to
animals to show up and for things to
animals to show up and for things to just be right and the only difference is
just be right and the only difference is
just be right and the only difference is instead of being cramped up in some
instead of being cramped up in some
instead of being cramped up in some blind in a desert or jungle somewhere
blind in a desert or jungle somewhere
blind in a desert or jungle somewhere I’m usually on some cold wet stinky boat
I’m usually on some cold wet stinky boat
I’m usually on some cold wet stinky boat in some godforsaken part of the world
in some godforsaken part of the world
in some godforsaken part of the world well it’s not always stinky I guess
well it’s not always stinky I guess
well it’s not always stinky I guess anyway the business of making pictures
anyway the business of making pictures
anyway the business of making pictures underwater is kind of a unique pursuit
underwater is kind of a unique pursuit
underwater is kind of a unique pursuit within the world of wildlife photography
within the world of wildlife photography
within the world of wildlife photography first of all it requires a great deal of
first of all it requires a great deal of
first of all it requires a great deal of equipment it’s very equipment intensive
equipment it’s very equipment intensive
equipment it’s very equipment intensive we have to have life-support equipment
we have to have life-support equipment
we have to have life-support equipment like scuba gear and we put our cameras
like scuba gear and we put our cameras
like scuba gear and we put our cameras and housings and have these lights and
and housings and have these lights and
and housings and have these lights and strobes and so forth we have to get very
strobes and so forth we have to get very
strobes and so forth we have to get very close to our subjects we don’t have the
close to our subjects we don’t have the
close to our subjects we don’t have the luxury of using telephoto lenses we have
luxury of using telephoto lenses we have
luxury of using telephoto lenses we have to get close to those whales or sharks
to get close to those whales or sharks
to get close to those whales or sharks which i think is a testimony to the
which i think is a testimony to the
which i think is a testimony to the animals themselves but I’ll never
animals themselves but I’ll never
animals themselves but I’ll never complain with all the problems that are
complain with all the problems that are
complain with all the problems that are the things we have to contend with
the things we have to contend with
the things we have to contend with because once you get under the water
because once you get under the water
because once you get under the water it’s just an incredible world I’ve had
it’s just an incredible world I’ve had
it’s just an incredible world I’ve had the privilege of swimming with giant
the privilege of swimming with giant
the privilege of swimming with giant animals like a whale shark to tiny
animals like a whale shark to tiny
animals like a whale shark to tiny animals like this tiny little shrimp
animals like this tiny little shrimp
animals like this tiny little shrimp living in a sea anemone this guy about
living in a sea anemone this guy about
living in a sea anemone this guy about half the size of a grain of rice so from
half the size of a grain of rice so from
half the size of a grain of rice so from one extreme to the other but each
one extreme to the other but each
one extreme to the other but each equally amazing
equally amazing
equally amazing I’ve often remarked that I sometimes
I’ve often remarked that I sometimes
I’ve often remarked that I sometimes think of my career is just one string of
think of my career is just one string of
think of my career is just one string of extraordinary encounters with animals
extraordinary encounters with animals
extraordinary encounters with animals after another I’ve swam with giant
after another I’ve swam with giant
after another I’ve swam with giant stingrays and underwater canyons and you
stingrays and underwater canyons and you
stingrays and underwater canyons and you and and spent the wee hours of the
and and spent the wee hours of the
and and spent the wee hours of the morning at night in the Sea of Cortez
morning at night in the Sea of Cortez
morning at night in the Sea of Cortez with giant Humboldt squid like this one
with giant Humboldt squid like this one
with giant Humboldt squid like this one a real sea monster if ever there was one
a real sea monster if ever there was one
a real sea monster if ever there was one is expelling ink here and the and the
is expelling ink here and the and the
is expelling ink here and the and the Sea of Cortez one night and I’ve spent
Sea of Cortez one night and I’ve spent
Sea of Cortez one night and I’ve spent countless hours on coral reefs just
countless hours on coral reefs just
countless hours on coral reefs just looking at one square foot or one square
looking at one square foot or one square
looking at one square foot or one square meter of territory watching this micro
meter of territory watching this micro
meter of territory watching this micro world of little fish down there this one
world of little fish down there this one
world of little fish down there this one stopping long enough just to smile for
stopping long enough just to smile for
stopping long enough just to smile for the camera I guess no matter how long
the camera I guess no matter how long
the camera I guess no matter how long I’ve been in the field it seems like
I’ve been in the field it seems like
I’ve been in the field it seems like whenever I’m home and feel like I need a
whenever I’m home and feel like I need a
whenever I’m home and feel like I need a rest for a period of time I find myself
rest for a period of time I find myself
rest for a period of time I find myself pacing the floors and chomping at the
pacing the floors and chomping at the
pacing the floors and chomping at the bit to get back out on the ocean because
bit to get back out on the ocean because
bit to get back out on the ocean because I know that if I spend time out there
I know that if I spend time out there
I know that if I spend time out there I’ll see extraordinary things but
I’ll see extraordinary things but
I’ll see extraordinary things but throughout the 30 years that I’ve been
throughout the 30 years that I’ve been
throughout the 30 years that I’ve been doing this I’ve also seen some terrible
doing this I’ve also seen some terrible
doing this I’ve also seen some terrible things as well which is as I mentioned
things as well which is as I mentioned
things as well which is as I mentioned one of the reasons I’ve sort of shifted
one of the reasons I’ve sort of shifted
one of the reasons I’ve sort of shifted my focus to begin doing some of these
my focus to begin doing some of these
my focus to begin doing some of these more environmental stories the question
more environmental stories the question
more environmental stories the question of course is how do you tell the story
of course is how do you tell the story
of course is how do you tell the story and this is what I wrestle with as to
and this is what I wrestle with as to
and this is what I wrestle with as to how exactly journalistically you want to
how exactly journalistically you want to
how exactly journalistically you want to approach some of these subjects one of
approach some of these subjects one of
approach some of these subjects one of the first big Natural History stories
the first big Natural History stories
the first big Natural History stories that I did for National Geographic was a
that I did for National Geographic was a
that I did for National Geographic was a story about harp seals these beautiful
story about harp seals these beautiful
story about harp seals these beautiful little animals that live up in the Gulf
little animals that live up in the Gulf
little animals that live up in the Gulf of st. Lawrence and Canada and initially
of st. Lawrence and Canada and initially
of st. Lawrence and Canada and initially when I proposed the story I just wanted
when I proposed the story I just wanted
when I proposed the story I just wanted to do a story about the few weeks a year
to do a story about the few weeks a year
to do a story about the few weeks a year that they come to this place live on
that they come to this place live on
that they come to this place live on this transient pack ice and sort of tell
this transient pack ice and sort of tell
this transient pack ice and sort of tell a life cycle story I wanted to show the
a life cycle story I wanted to show the
a life cycle story I wanted to show the pups like this one making its very first
pups like this one making its very first
pups like this one making its very first solo swim beneath the the ice shelf and
solo swim beneath the the ice shelf and
solo swim beneath the the ice shelf and the mother proudly watching and you know
the mother proudly watching and you know
the mother proudly watching and you know the the evolution that happens to these
the the evolution that happens to these
the the evolution that happens to these animals getting fat over the few weeks
animals getting fat over the few weeks
animals getting fat over the few weeks or a few days actually that before
or a few days actually that before
or a few days actually that before they’re weaned and ready to go into the
they’re weaned and ready to go into the
they’re weaned and ready to go into the ocean and as an underwater photographer
ocean and as an underwater photographer
ocean and as an underwater photographer to show that contrast between surface
to show that contrast between surface
to show that contrast between surface and and underwater as well but as I
and and underwater as well but as I
and and underwater as well but as I began to research the story and get more
began to research the story and get more
began to research the story and get more involved in it I realized that there
involved in it I realized that there
involved in it I realized that there were environmental issues that I
were environmental issues that I
were environmental issues that I couldn’t then I couldn’t ignore
couldn’t then I couldn’t ignore
couldn’t then I couldn’t ignore for example the seal hunt was continuing
for example the seal hunt was continuing
for example the seal hunt was continuing to go on I don’t know
to go on I don’t know
to go on I don’t know that many Americans are aware of this
that many Americans are aware of this
that many Americans are aware of this but it’s still the the biggest mass
but it’s still the the biggest mass
but it’s still the the biggest mass slaughter of marine mammals on the
slaughter of marine mammals on the
slaughter of marine mammals on the planet where they kill they Club these
planet where they kill they Club these
planet where they kill they Club these baby seals at just maybe two weeks old
baby seals at just maybe two weeks old
baby seals at just maybe two weeks old or so and for the pelts not for the meat
or so and for the pelts not for the meat
or so and for the pelts not for the meat but perhaps the bigger environmental
but perhaps the bigger environmental
but perhaps the bigger environmental threat that I recognized was global
threat that I recognized was global
threat that I recognized was global warming which I didn’t really know going
warming which I didn’t really know going
warming which I didn’t really know going into this story but it turns out that
into this story but it turns out that
into this story but it turns out that global warming is having a dramatic
global warming is having a dramatic
global warming is having a dramatic impact on these animals this is a
impact on these animals this is a
impact on these animals this is a picture I made from a helicopter that
picture I made from a helicopter that
picture I made from a helicopter that shows the Gulf of st. Lawrence in
shows the Gulf of st. Lawrence in
shows the Gulf of st. Lawrence in wintertime and even though there’s a lot
wintertime and even though there’s a lot
wintertime and even though there’s a lot of ice here traditionally this would be
of ice here traditionally this would be
of ice here traditionally this would be frozen solid in years past that would
frozen solid in years past that would
frozen solid in years past that would have been solid block ice and as you can
have been solid block ice and as you can
have been solid block ice and as you can see there’s a lot of open water and what
see there’s a lot of open water and what
see there’s a lot of open water and what that creates is a problem for the seals
that creates is a problem for the seals
that creates is a problem for the seals where the seals need 12 days to become
where the seals need 12 days to become
where the seals need 12 days to become fully weaned before they can go off on
fully weaned before they can go off on
fully weaned before they can go off on their own but this is a picture showing
their own but this is a picture showing
their own but this is a picture showing a puppet maybe five or seven days old
a puppet maybe five or seven days old
a puppet maybe five or seven days old still has the umbilical cord on its
still has the umbilical cord on its
still has the umbilical cord on its belly there and the mother frantically
belly there and the mother frantically
belly there and the mother frantically pushing it back up to breathe here this
pushing it back up to breathe here this
pushing it back up to breathe here this animal had fallen into the water because
animal had fallen into the water because
animal had fallen into the water because the ice was so thin it broke up due to
the ice was so thin it broke up due to
the ice was so thin it broke up due to this climactic change that’s occurring
this climactic change that’s occurring
this climactic change that’s occurring so you know that particular animal
so you know that particular animal
so you know that particular animal survived and crawled out and made it but
survived and crawled out and made it but
survived and crawled out and made it but many do not in the last couple years
many do not in the last couple years
many do not in the last couple years there’s been an extraordinarily high
there’s been an extraordinarily high
there’s been an extraordinarily high mortality rate for these harp seal pups
mortality rate for these harp seal pups
mortality rate for these harp seal pups so I think it was a story like this that
so I think it was a story like this that
so I think it was a story like this that kind of opened my eyes to the the power
kind of opened my eyes to the the power
kind of opened my eyes to the the power of photography form from an
of photography form from an
of photography form from an environmental standpoint and what it
environmental standpoint and what it
environmental standpoint and what it could do to tell stories and raise
could do to tell stories and raise
could do to tell stories and raise awareness on the heels of that story
awareness on the heels of that story
awareness on the heels of that story shortly after within a year so I
shortly after within a year so I
shortly after within a year so I proposed this story about the global
proposed this story about the global
proposed this story about the global fish crisis I’ve been diving for about
fish crisis I’ve been diving for about
fish crisis I’ve been diving for about 30 years and I’ve personally witnessed
30 years and I’ve personally witnessed
30 years and I’ve personally witnessed the decline of fish I see less fish in
the decline of fish I see less fish in
the decline of fish I see less fish in the places I used to see fish on reefs
the places I used to see fish on reefs
the places I used to see fish on reefs and less sharks in the places I used to
and less sharks in the places I used to
and less sharks in the places I used to see sharks but it was a few years ago I
see sharks but it was a few years ago I
see sharks but it was a few years ago I read a scientific paper in the british
read a scientific paper in the british
read a scientific paper in the british journal Nature that declared that ninety
journal Nature that declared that ninety
journal Nature that declared that ninety percent of the big fish in the ocean
percent of the big fish in the ocean
percent of the big fish in the ocean have disappeared in the last 50 years
have disappeared in the last 50 years
have disappeared in the last 50 years these are the tunas the bill fish and
these are the tunas the bill fish and
these are the tunas the bill fish and the Sharks and I was just devastated I
the Sharks and I was just devastated I
the Sharks and I was just devastated I thought that you know with a statistic
thought that you know with a statistic
thought that you know with a statistic like that 90% of the fish in the ocean
like that 90% of the fish in the ocean
like that 90% of the fish in the ocean gone it would be on every news outlet in
gone it would be on every news outlet in
gone it would be on every news outlet in the world but it really wasn’t so I
the world but it really wasn’t so I
the world but it really wasn’t so I proposed the idea of doing this story
proposed the idea of doing this story
proposed the idea of doing this story and I actually worked with a colleague
and I actually worked with a colleague
and I actually worked with a colleague of mine Randy Olson a brilliant social
of mine Randy Olson a brilliant social
of mine Randy Olson a brilliant social documentary photographer and and tried
documentary photographer and and tried
documentary photographer and and tried to tackle this
to tackle this
to tackle this big story of the global fisheries issues
big story of the global fisheries issues
big story of the global fisheries issues and and and when I proposed the story I
and and and when I proposed the story I
and and and when I proposed the story I wanted it to be a really hard hitting
wanted it to be a really hard hitting
wanted it to be a really hard hitting story I didn’t want it to be a pretty
story I didn’t want it to be a pretty
story I didn’t want it to be a pretty picture story necessarily I wanted it to
picture story necessarily I wanted it to
picture story necessarily I wanted it to really tackle these issues and show
really tackle these issues and show
really tackle these issues and show readers a lot of things about the whole
readers a lot of things about the whole
readers a lot of things about the whole commercial fishing world that maybe they
commercial fishing world that maybe they
commercial fishing world that maybe they didn’t know but the first component of
didn’t know but the first component of
didn’t know but the first component of the story I thought that was important
the story I thought that was important
the story I thought that was important was to show fish as wildlife and to get
was to show fish as wildlife and to get
was to show fish as wildlife and to get some appreciation from readers consumers
some appreciation from readers consumers
some appreciation from readers consumers if you will as to what it is they’re
if you will as to what it is they’re
if you will as to what it is they’re eating you know I think when we go to a
eating you know I think when we go to a
eating you know I think when we go to a restaurant and of course order a
restaurant and of course order a
restaurant and of course order a hamburger you know that it comes from a
hamburger you know that it comes from a
hamburger you know that it comes from a cow or you order a piece of chicken and
cow or you order a piece of chicken and
cow or you order a piece of chicken and you know what a chicken is but when you
you know what a chicken is but when you
you know what a chicken is but when you order a yellowfin tuna steak and you see
order a yellowfin tuna steak and you see
order a yellowfin tuna steak and you see a square piece of meat in your plate
a square piece of meat in your plate
a square piece of meat in your plate next to some vegetables do you really
next to some vegetables do you really
next to some vegetables do you really know the magnificence of that animal
know the magnificence of that animal
know the magnificence of that animal that you’re eating I think most people
that you’re eating I think most people
that you’re eating I think most people don’t so I wanted to go in and make
don’t so I wanted to go in and make
don’t so I wanted to go in and make pictures of yellowfin tuna like this or
pictures of yellowfin tuna like this or
pictures of yellowfin tuna like this or bluefin tuna you know when we eat sushi
bluefin tuna you know when we eat sushi
bluefin tuna you know when we eat sushi this is the most highly regarded type of
this is the most highly regarded type of
this is the most highly regarded type of sushi this is a bluefin tuna but yet
sushi this is a bluefin tuna but yet
sushi this is a bluefin tuna but yet these animals have been decimated their
these animals have been decimated their
these animals have been decimated their stocks have declined in excess of 90% in
stocks have declined in excess of 90% in
stocks have declined in excess of 90% in the Atlantic and Mediterranean they’re
the Atlantic and Mediterranean they’re
the Atlantic and Mediterranean they’re almost on the verge of extinction yet we
almost on the verge of extinction yet we
almost on the verge of extinction yet we continue to eat sushi not realizing that
continue to eat sushi not realizing that
continue to eat sushi not realizing that this is an animal that has no
this is an animal that has no
this is an animal that has no terrestrial counterpart there’s nothing
terrestrial counterpart there’s nothing
terrestrial counterpart there’s nothing like this on the planet this is an
like this on the planet this is an
like this on the planet this is an animal the bluefin tuna that continues
animal the bluefin tuna that continues
animal the bluefin tuna that continues to grow its entire life if we weren’t so
to grow its entire life if we weren’t so
to grow its entire life if we weren’t so good at catching them there’d be 30
good at catching them there’d be 30
good at catching them there’d be 30 year-old bluefin out there weighing over
year-old bluefin out there weighing over
year-old bluefin out there weighing over a ton they crisscross entire oceans
a ton they crisscross entire oceans
a ton they crisscross entire oceans during the course of the year they have
during the course of the year they have
during the course of the year they have the ability to swim from the equator to
the ability to swim from the equator to
the ability to swim from the equator to the poles because they can generate heat
the poles because they can generate heat
the poles because they can generate heat they’re faster than a torpedo under
they’re faster than a torpedo under
they’re faster than a torpedo under water we would never allow the slaughter
water we would never allow the slaughter
water we would never allow the slaughter of that on the pond on land but because
of that on the pond on land but because
of that on the pond on land but because it’s underwater it’s it’s allowed I
it’s underwater it’s it’s allowed I
it’s underwater it’s it’s allowed I wanted to show things like the mako
wanted to show things like the mako
wanted to show things like the mako shark which you can go into a lot of
shark which you can go into a lot of
shark which you can go into a lot of seafood restaurants and order a Mako
seafood restaurants and order a Mako
seafood restaurants and order a Mako steak which is wonderful to eat but
steak which is wonderful to eat but
steak which is wonderful to eat but again we’re wiping these animals out and
again we’re wiping these animals out and
again we’re wiping these animals out and also with this story I wanted to do it
also with this story I wanted to do it
also with this story I wanted to do it in a way that drew a contrast to show
in a way that drew a contrast to show
in a way that drew a contrast to show the animal in its realm as it should be
the animal in its realm as it should be
the animal in its realm as it should be seen this magnificent creature the lions
seen this magnificent creature the lions
seen this magnificent creature the lions and tigers of the sea if you will and
and tigers of the sea if you will and
and tigers of the sea if you will and then to show it on the beach you know
then to show it on the beach you know
then to show it on the beach you know being thinned here that this this was
being thinned here that this this was
being thinned here that this this was about a 600 pound female mako that was
about a 600 pound female mako that was
about a 600 pound female mako that was caught and you know they’re going for
caught and you know they’re going for
caught and you know they’re going for the fins first because those fetch the
the fins first because those fetch the
the fins first because those fetch the highest price I also wanted to show with
highest price I also wanted to show with
highest price I also wanted to show with this story the method in which seafood
this story the method in which seafood
this story the method in which seafood is harvested
is harvested
is harvested you know I think again most people just
you know I think again most people just
you know I think again most people just sort of group seafood in with all other
sort of group seafood in with all other
sort of group seafood in with all other forms of Al Gore a gray culture and we
forms of Al Gore a gray culture and we
forms of Al Gore a gray culture and we think it’s just another food but the
think it’s just another food but the
think it’s just another food but the truth is its wildlife it’s the biggest
truth is its wildlife it’s the biggest
truth is its wildlife it’s the biggest mass harvest or slaughter of wildlife on
mass harvest or slaughter of wildlife on
mass harvest or slaughter of wildlife on the planet and I wanted to show things
the planet and I wanted to show things
the planet and I wanted to show things like a long line this is an illegal long
like a long line this is an illegal long
like a long line this is an illegal long line actually that was in the Sea of
line actually that was in the Sea of
line actually that was in the Sea of Cortez Mexico that was catching Dorado
Cortez Mexico that was catching Dorado
Cortez Mexico that was catching Dorado like this fish catching seven hundred
like this fish catching seven hundred
like this fish catching seven hundred tons of Dorado a day illegally that
tons of Dorado a day illegally that
tons of Dorado a day illegally that ended up in restaurants in Mexico in the
ended up in restaurants in Mexico in the
ended up in restaurants in Mexico in the United States I wanted people to know
United States I wanted people to know
United States I wanted people to know what a long line looked like I wanted
what a long line looked like I wanted
what a long line looked like I wanted them to see the most common method of
them to see the most common method of
them to see the most common method of fishing in the world which is a bottom
fishing in the world which is a bottom
fishing in the world which is a bottom trawler as its called
trawler as its called
trawler as its called nets like this scour the planet this was
nets like this scour the planet this was
nets like this scour the planet this was a small one that I photographed but you
a small one that I photographed but you
a small one that I photographed but you can see the method basically it’s a big
can see the method basically it’s a big
can see the method basically it’s a big net that has buoys on top of it and a
net that has buoys on top of it and a
net that has buoys on top of it and a lead line on the bottom to keep it down
lead line on the bottom to keep it down
lead line on the bottom to keep it down the buoy keeps the mouth open and these
the buoy keeps the mouth open and these
the buoy keeps the mouth open and these two big steel doors are towed by a boat
two big steel doors are towed by a boat
two big steel doors are towed by a boat through the water and they meet
through the water and they meet
through the water and they meet resistance with the ocean and their fort
resistance with the ocean and their fort
resistance with the ocean and their fort helped to open that that MA that giant
helped to open that that MA that giant
helped to open that that MA that giant net and as it scrapes along the bottom
net and as it scrapes along the bottom
net and as it scrapes along the bottom this was catching shrimp as it scrapes
this was catching shrimp as it scrapes
this was catching shrimp as it scrapes along the bottom to catch a few shrimp
along the bottom to catch a few shrimp
along the bottom to catch a few shrimp it’s catching everything else in its
it’s catching everything else in its
it’s catching everything else in its path and also destroying the benthic
path and also destroying the benthic
path and also destroying the benthic habitats at the bottom it’s scraping up
habitats at the bottom it’s scraping up
habitats at the bottom it’s scraping up all this valuable habitat for other
all this valuable habitat for other
all this valuable habitat for other animals this is a picture I made in that
animals this is a picture I made in that
animals this is a picture I made in that same situation where the the fishermen
same situation where the the fishermen
same situation where the the fishermen had towed his note his nets for one hour
had towed his note his nets for one hour
had towed his note his nets for one hour and after one hour he had a handful of
and after one hour he had a handful of
and after one hour he had a handful of shrimp maybe seven or eight shrimp and
shrimp maybe seven or eight shrimp and
shrimp maybe seven or eight shrimp and all those other fish all those other
all those other fish all those other
all those other fish all those other animals died in the process none of
animals died in the process none of
animals died in the process none of which would be used that all be thrown
which would be used that all be thrown
which would be used that all be thrown back into the sea is bycatch or trash so
back into the sea is bycatch or trash so
back into the sea is bycatch or trash so this is the true cost of a shrimp dinner
this is the true cost of a shrimp dinner
this is the true cost of a shrimp dinner about seven or eight shrimp and maybe 20
about seven or eight shrimp and maybe 20
about seven or eight shrimp and maybe 20 pounds of other fish that’ll be killed
pounds of other fish that’ll be killed
pounds of other fish that’ll be killed and as an underwater photographer I
and as an underwater photographer I
and as an underwater photographer I wanted to go below the boat and show
wanted to go below the boat and show
wanted to go below the boat and show that that cascade of death raining down
that that cascade of death raining down
that that cascade of death raining down all these beautiful animals that are
all these beautiful animals that are
all these beautiful animals that are alive on the bottom just an hour before
alive on the bottom just an hour before
alive on the bottom just an hour before have been killed to satisfy our desire
have been killed to satisfy our desire
have been killed to satisfy our desire for shrimp so those are the things that
for shrimp so those are the things that
for shrimp so those are the things that I thought this story might be able to do
I thought this story might be able to do
I thought this story might be able to do and to look at gill nets also a very
and to look at gill nets also a very
and to look at gill nets also a very common method of fishing around the
common method of fishing around the
common method of fishing around the world this in this case I focused on the
world this in this case I focused on the
world this in this case I focused on the shark fishing industry a hundred million
shark fishing industry a hundred million
shark fishing industry a hundred million sharks were killed on our planet
sharks were killed on our planet
sharks were killed on our planet every single year that’s an
every single year that’s an
every single year that’s an unsustainable rate these are the apex
unsustainable rate these are the apex
unsustainable rate these are the apex predators in the sea
predators in the sea
predators in the sea and you can’t remove that without the
and you can’t remove that without the
and you can’t remove that without the house of cards coming down and this
house of cards coming down and this
house of cards coming down and this picture I thought would ended up being
picture I thought would ended up being
picture I thought would ended up being the lead picture in the story because it
the lead picture in the story because it
the lead picture in the story because it almost looked like a crucifixion you
almost looked like a crucifixion you
almost looked like a crucifixion you know it had this this personality to it
know it had this this personality to it
know it had this this personality to it and maybe spoke to the the notion of a
and maybe spoke to the the notion of a
and maybe spoke to the the notion of a hundred million sharks being killed
hundred million sharks being killed
hundred million sharks being killed around the planet another story that
around the planet another story that
around the planet another story that appeared in the magazine last year was a
appeared in the magazine last year was a
appeared in the magazine last year was a story we did called an Eden for sharks I
story we did called an Eden for sharks I
story we did called an Eden for sharks I love sharks I love swimming with sharks
love sharks I love swimming with sharks
love sharks I love swimming with sharks and I wanted to do a story about sharks
and I wanted to do a story about sharks
and I wanted to do a story about sharks and it occurred to me that to maybe get
and it occurred to me that to maybe get
and it occurred to me that to maybe get at the environmental angle of the
at the environmental angle of the
at the environmental angle of the conservation angle we should look at a
conservation angle we should look at a
conservation angle we should look at a place in the world where sharks are
place in the world where sharks are
place in the world where sharks are still doing well because there are very
still doing well because there are very
still doing well because there are very few such places left on earth so I went
few such places left on earth so I went
few such places left on earth so I went to the Bahamas a place that I had done a
to the Bahamas a place that I had done a
to the Bahamas a place that I had done a lot of diving and it seemed to me that
lot of diving and it seemed to me that
lot of diving and it seemed to me that this was one of the few places in the
this was one of the few places in the
this was one of the few places in the world where sharks were still doing
world where sharks were still doing
world where sharks were still doing pretty well largely that that was
pretty well largely that that was
pretty well largely that that was because of two things really it was
because of two things really it was
because of two things really it was because of the geography the Bahamas
because of the geography the Bahamas
because of the geography the Bahamas this is an aerial picture that I made
this is an aerial picture that I made
this is an aerial picture that I made showing kind of a typical stretch of
showing kind of a typical stretch of
showing kind of a typical stretch of real estate in the Bahamas where you’ve
real estate in the Bahamas where you’ve
real estate in the Bahamas where you’ve got you know shallow sandy beaches and
got you know shallow sandy beaches and
got you know shallow sandy beaches and you’ve got mangrove nurseries and coral
you’ve got mangrove nurseries and coral
you’ve got mangrove nurseries and coral reefs and in the deep blue water the
reefs and in the deep blue water the
reefs and in the deep blue water the pelagic zone for different species so
pelagic zone for different species so
pelagic zone for different species so the geography lends itself to great
the geography lends itself to great
the geography lends itself to great shark habitat but the other reason the
shark habitat but the other reason the
shark habitat but the other reason the Sharks are doing well here is because
Sharks are doing well here is because
Sharks are doing well here is because the Bahamas the government has outlawed
the Bahamas the government has outlawed
the Bahamas the government has outlawed long lining they don’t allow long lining
long lining they don’t allow long lining
long lining they don’t allow long lining which is the the most common method for
which is the the most common method for
which is the the most common method for killing sharks around the planet so
killing sharks around the planet so
killing sharks around the planet so although it’s not perfect they seem to
although it’s not perfect they seem to
although it’s not perfect they seem to be doing a little bit better here and
be doing a little bit better here and
be doing a little bit better here and for this story I wanted to highlight a
for this story I wanted to highlight a
for this story I wanted to highlight a few of the key species some of the
few of the key species some of the
few of the key species some of the species that really hadn’t been
species that really hadn’t been
species that really hadn’t been photographed much before certainly not
photographed much before certainly not
photographed much before certainly not for the geographic a friend of mine who
for the geographic a friend of mine who
for the geographic a friend of mine who runs a dive business out of Florida had
runs a dive business out of Florida had
runs a dive business out of Florida had identified a few new locations in the
identified a few new locations in the
identified a few new locations in the last few few years where we could get
last few few years where we could get
last few few years where we could get close to animals like a tiger shark I
close to animals like a tiger shark I
close to animals like a tiger shark I mean for years but 20 years I try to get
mean for years but 20 years I try to get
mean for years but 20 years I try to get close to tiger sharks and never really
close to tiger sharks and never really
close to tiger sharks and never really could but we found this place so he
could but we found this place so he
could but we found this place so he found this place that he calls tiger
found this place that he calls tiger
found this place that he calls tiger beach and this is a picture I made with
beach and this is a picture I made with
beach and this is a picture I made with a National Geographic blimp looking down
a National Geographic blimp looking down
a National Geographic blimp looking down at our dive boat and you can see about a
at our dive boat and you can see about a
at our dive boat and you can see about a dozen or fourteen big tiger sharks
dozen or fourteen big tiger sharks
dozen or fourteen big tiger sharks swimming over this sandy bottom in about
swimming over this sandy bottom in about
swimming over this sandy bottom in about 20 feet of water just a very warm
20 feet of water just a very warm
20 feet of water just a very warm tropical sandy location just brilliant
tropical sandy location just brilliant
tropical sandy location just brilliant and once you got underwater the sand and
and once you got underwater the sand and
and once you got underwater the sand and turtle grass was a great backdrop with
turtle grass was a great backdrop with
turtle grass was a great backdrop with his deep Bahamian blue water and the
his deep Bahamian blue water and the
his deep Bahamian blue water and the Sharks were extremely friendly I mean
Sharks were extremely friendly I mean
Sharks were extremely friendly I mean they would come right up to you I kept
they would come right up to you I kept
they would come right up to you I kept reminding myself that you know this was
reminding myself that you know this was
reminding myself that you know this was real because as I
real because as I
real because as I I spent so many years trying to get
I spent so many years trying to get
I spent so many years trying to get close to tiger sharks with no success
close to tiger sharks with no success
close to tiger sharks with no success and on any given day I’d have a dozen of
and on any given day I’d have a dozen of
and on any given day I’d have a dozen of them around me some days it got so crazy
them around me some days it got so crazy
them around me some days it got so crazy I was using a macro lens I was using a
I was using a macro lens I was using a
I was using a macro lens I was using a sixty millimeter macro lens to make
sixty millimeter macro lens to make
sixty millimeter macro lens to make pictures of the teeth and the little
pictures of the teeth and the little
pictures of the teeth and the little nerve endings of the ampullae of
nerve endings of the ampullae of
nerve endings of the ampullae of Lorenzini on the Sharks snout
Lorenzini on the Sharks snout
Lorenzini on the Sharks snout I mean sometimes they got a little too
I mean sometimes they got a little too
I mean sometimes they got a little too close but that was just curiosity I’m
close but that was just curiosity I’m
close but that was just curiosity I’m sure but but the truth is for this story
sure but but the truth is for this story
sure but but the truth is for this story I really resisted the urge and the
I really resisted the urge and the
I really resisted the urge and the temptation to make sharks look dangerous
temptation to make sharks look dangerous
temptation to make sharks look dangerous I think there is a temptation for
I think there is a temptation for
I think there is a temptation for photographers to go down that route
photographers to go down that route
photographers to go down that route because it’s not hard it’s not hard to
because it’s not hard it’s not hard to
because it’s not hard it’s not hard to portray sharks in in a threatening
portray sharks in in a threatening
portray sharks in in a threatening fashion but I wanted them to just be
fashion but I wanted them to just be
fashion but I wanted them to just be something beautiful just something that
something beautiful just something that
something beautiful just something that was part of an ecosystem that they
was part of an ecosystem that they
was part of an ecosystem that they happened to inhabit and this this series
happened to inhabit and this this series
happened to inhabit and this this series actually kind of exemplified that for me
actually kind of exemplified that for me
actually kind of exemplified that for me there was one day where I saw this
there was one day where I saw this
there was one day where I saw this female tiger shark she was about 12 feet
female tiger shark she was about 12 feet
female tiger shark she was about 12 feet in length and she was swimming on the
in length and she was swimming on the
in length and she was swimming on the bottom and then lifted up off the bottom
bottom and then lifted up off the bottom
bottom and then lifted up off the bottom and she had these three beautiful little
and she had these three beautiful little
and she had these three beautiful little silver fish these bar jacks on her nose
silver fish these bar jacks on her nose
silver fish these bar jacks on her nose so I sort of left the bottom in unison
so I sort of left the bottom in unison
so I sort of left the bottom in unison and you know you never quite know I mean
and you know you never quite know I mean
and you know you never quite know I mean they’re they’re considered the most
they’re they’re considered the most
they’re they’re considered the most dangerous shark in tropical waters the
dangerous shark in tropical waters the
dangerous shark in tropical waters the second mode dangerous in the world so
second mode dangerous in the world so
second mode dangerous in the world so you never know how they’re going to
you never know how they’re going to
you never know how they’re going to behave but as I sort of got closer and
behave but as I sort of got closer and
behave but as I sort of got closer and closer she finally just turned and I
closer she finally just turned and I
closer she finally just turned and I made this picture that just showed you
made this picture that just showed you
made this picture that just showed you know these three fish with sort of a
know these three fish with sort of a
know these three fish with sort of a shadow almost a little fish tattoo on
shadow almost a little fish tattoo on
shadow almost a little fish tattoo on her face if you will but a more gentle
her face if you will but a more gentle
her face if you will but a more gentle look at a tiger shark this allegedly
look at a tiger shark this allegedly
look at a tiger shark this allegedly very dangerous animal which is of course
very dangerous animal which is of course
very dangerous animal which is of course dangerous but that’s that’s not all that
dangerous but that’s that’s not all that
dangerous but that’s that’s not all that they’re cracked up to be
they’re cracked up to be
they’re cracked up to be I also wanted to focus on shark
I also wanted to focus on shark
I also wanted to focus on shark nurseries for this story and I went to
nurseries for this story and I went to
nurseries for this story and I went to the island of Bimini in the northern
the island of Bimini in the northern
the island of Bimini in the northern Bahamas where I could look at lemon
Bahamas where I could look at lemon
Bahamas where I could look at lemon shark pups here we see a lemon shark pup
shark pups here we see a lemon shark pup
shark pups here we see a lemon shark pup in one of these mangrove nurseries on
in one of these mangrove nurseries on
in one of these mangrove nurseries on Bimini I worked with a scientist there
Bimini I worked with a scientist there
Bimini I worked with a scientist there named doc Gruber who has been studying
named doc Gruber who has been studying
named doc Gruber who has been studying lemon sharks for about 25 or 30 years
lemon sharks for about 25 or 30 years
lemon sharks for about 25 or 30 years there he has an amazing set of data and
there he has an amazing set of data and
there he has an amazing set of data and this is doc and a pair of waders is his
this is doc and a pair of waders is his
this is doc and a pair of waders is his torsos out of the water is his lower
torsos out of the water is his lower
torsos out of the water is his lower half is in the water here holding on one
half is in the water here holding on one
half is in the water here holding on one of these lemon shark pups and he’s
of these lemon shark pups and he’s
of these lemon shark pups and he’s holding it upside down and what’s called
holding it upside down and what’s called
holding it upside down and what’s called tonic immobility where you can turn
tonic immobility where you can turn
tonic immobility where you can turn certain species of sharks upside down
certain species of sharks upside down
certain species of sharks upside down and they go to sleep but the Sharks not
and they go to sleep but the Sharks not
and they go to sleep but the Sharks not hurt but each year in June for about two
hurt but each year in June for about two
hurt but each year in June for about two weeks they conduct research out there
weeks they conduct research out there
weeks they conduct research out there where they put
where they put
where they put gill nets out to catch the baby sharks
gill nets out to catch the baby sharks
gill nets out to catch the baby sharks at night they worked from about nine
at night they worked from about nine
at night they worked from about nine o’clock at night till about nine o’clock
o’clock at night till about nine o’clock
o’clock at night till about nine o’clock in the morning and they capture the
in the morning and they capture the
in the morning and they capture the Sharks and then the the PhD students
Sharks and then the the PhD students
Sharks and then the the PhD students will weigh them and through DNA samples
will weigh them and through DNA samples
will weigh them and through DNA samples and then put them in this little
and then put them in this little
and then put them in this little makeshift pen that they create and they
makeshift pen that they create and they
makeshift pen that they create and they keep all the Sharks in there for about a
keep all the Sharks in there for about a
keep all the Sharks in there for about a week or two and then release them all at
week or two and then release them all at
week or two and then release them all at the end they keep them there because
the end they keep them there because
the end they keep them there because they don’t want to recapture the same
they don’t want to recapture the same
they don’t want to recapture the same one and that was interesting for the
one and that was interesting for the
one and that was interesting for the story I wanted to have some of the
story I wanted to have some of the
story I wanted to have some of the science in there but was what was more
science in there but was what was more
science in there but was what was more interesting I think to me was to hike up
interesting I think to me was to hike up
interesting I think to me was to hike up into the mangroves and get out into the
into the mangroves and get out into the
into the mangroves and get out into the wild you know to actually see some of
wild you know to actually see some of
wild you know to actually see some of the sharks in their natural habitat so
the sharks in their natural habitat so
the sharks in their natural habitat so this is a picture of me that my
this is a picture of me that my
this is a picture of me that my assistant made just laying in these
assistant made just laying in these
assistant made just laying in these mangroves it was you know god awful hot
mangroves it was you know god awful hot
mangroves it was you know god awful hot 110 degrees maybe in mosquitoes all
110 degrees maybe in mosquitoes all
110 degrees maybe in mosquitoes all kinds of bugs but I just laid there no
kinds of bugs but I just laid there no
kinds of bugs but I just laid there no scuba gear just math snorkel and fins in
scuba gear just math snorkel and fins in
scuba gear just math snorkel and fins in my wetsuit
my wetsuit
my wetsuit day after day trying to let the animals
day after day trying to let the animals
day after day trying to let the animals acclimate to me and get used to me and
acclimate to me and get used to me and
acclimate to me and get used to me and eventually you know they did and they
eventually you know they did and they
eventually you know they did and they would come close and I was able to make
would come close and I was able to make
would come close and I was able to make this picture that appeared in the in the
this picture that appeared in the in the
this picture that appeared in the in the magazine of this beautiful little lemon
magazine of this beautiful little lemon
magazine of this beautiful little lemon shark pup maybe only a foot in length
shark pup maybe only a foot in length
shark pup maybe only a foot in length tiny little shark and maybe only a foot
tiny little shark and maybe only a foot
tiny little shark and maybe only a foot of water and just in this very different
of water and just in this very different
of water and just in this very different shark habitat than my I think we’re used
shark habitat than my I think we’re used
shark habitat than my I think we’re used to saying and I also wanted to focus on
to saying and I also wanted to focus on
to saying and I also wanted to focus on the great hammerhead shark a species
the great hammerhead shark a species
the great hammerhead shark a species that up until may be less than ten years
that up until may be less than ten years
that up until may be less than ten years ago no photos existed of these animals
ago no photos existed of these animals
ago no photos existed of these animals but we found a location where in winter
but we found a location where in winter
but we found a location where in winter time you might be able to get close and
time you might be able to get close and
time you might be able to get close and I spent 18 days out there trying to get
I spent 18 days out there trying to get
I spent 18 days out there trying to get close to these and only had two days
close to these and only had two days
close to these and only had two days where the weather was good enough that
where the weather was good enough that
where the weather was good enough that allowed me to get in but here you can
allowed me to get in but here you can
allowed me to get in but here you can see this exotic almost prehistoric
see this exotic almost prehistoric
see this exotic almost prehistoric looking head where their nostrils have
looking head where their nostrils have
looking head where their nostrils have actually separated out to both sides of
actually separated out to both sides of
actually separated out to both sides of their their head there to give it
their their head there to give it
their their head there to give it stereoscopic sensory perception in the
stereoscopic sensory perception in the
stereoscopic sensory perception in the ocean they’re actually more advanced
ocean they’re actually more advanced
ocean they’re actually more advanced than most other species of sharks it’s
than most other species of sharks it’s
than most other species of sharks it’s difficult to make these animals look
difficult to make these animals look
difficult to make these animals look graceful with the big kind of dorsal fin
graceful with the big kind of dorsal fin
graceful with the big kind of dorsal fin and pectorals in that head but this one
and pectorals in that head but this one
and pectorals in that head but this one evening just before sunset on our last
evening just before sunset on our last
evening just before sunset on our last day the shark came in and kind of
day the shark came in and kind of
day the shark came in and kind of swirled around just before the sunset
swirled around just before the sunset
swirled around just before the sunset and this kind of a very pretty setting
and this kind of a very pretty setting
and this kind of a very pretty setting well the last species I wanted to focus
well the last species I wanted to focus
well the last species I wanted to focus on for this story was the oceanic
on for this story was the oceanic
on for this story was the oceanic whitetip shark which is considered the
whitetip shark which is considered the
whitetip shark which is considered the fourth the most dangerous species of
fourth the most dangerous species of
fourth the most dangerous species of shark in the ocean but unfortunately
shark in the ocean but unfortunately
shark in the ocean but unfortunately it’s 98% in decline throughout most of
it’s 98% in decline throughout most of
it’s 98% in decline throughout most of its range just a very sad story I went
its range just a very sad story I went
its range just a very sad story I went to a place in the Bahamas
to a place in the Bahamas
to a place in the Bahamas where we had heard rumors that they were
where we had heard rumors that they were
where we had heard rumors that they were finding these animals fishermen were
finding these animals fishermen were
finding these animals fishermen were catching tuna and they were having them
catching tuna and they were having them
catching tuna and they were having them taken off their lines by what they said
taken off their lines by what they said
taken off their lines by what they said were oceanic whitetips so in 16 days I
were oceanic whitetips so in 16 days I
were oceanic whitetips so in 16 days I only had one day where we had this
only had one day where we had this
only had one day where we had this beautiful nine-foot female that that
beautiful nine-foot female that that
beautiful nine-foot female that that came in and and stayed around for about
came in and and stayed around for about
came in and and stayed around for about two hours because they’re considered a
two hours because they’re considered a
two hours because they’re considered a very dangerous species of shark and
very dangerous species of shark and
very dangerous species of shark and because we weren’t working on the bottom
because we weren’t working on the bottom
because we weren’t working on the bottom we were working up in the water column I
we were working up in the water column I
we were working up in the water column I brought along a shark cage and this is
brought along a shark cage and this is
brought along a shark cage and this is my buddy Wes Pratt a shark biologist
my buddy Wes Pratt a shark biologist
my buddy Wes Pratt a shark biologist with Mote Marine Lab in Florida who’s in
with Mote Marine Lab in Florida who’s in
with Mote Marine Lab in Florida who’s in the cage you can see the biologist has
the cage you can see the biologist has
the cage you can see the biologist has indicated a photographer is not of
indicated a photographer is not of
indicated a photographer is not of course and then this last frame here is
course and then this last frame here is
course and then this last frame here is the Sun began to go down a little bit of
the Sun began to go down a little bit of
the Sun began to go down a little bit of this portrait of this beautiful animal
this portrait of this beautiful animal
this portrait of this beautiful animal that could very well go extinct in our
that could very well go extinct in our
that could very well go extinct in our lifetime maybe in the next few years
lifetime maybe in the next few years
lifetime maybe in the next few years since there’s so few remaining we took a
since there’s so few remaining we took a
since there’s so few remaining we took a different approach to tell the story of
different approach to tell the story of
different approach to tell the story of right whales which appeared in the
right whales which appeared in the
right whales which appeared in the October issue of National Geographic
October issue of National Geographic
October issue of National Geographic magazine
magazine
magazine now right whales are an interesting
now right whales are an interesting
now right whales are an interesting story in that about a million years ago
story in that about a million years ago
story in that about a million years ago there was one species of right whale on
there was one species of right whale on
there was one species of right whale on the planet and as oceans kind of got
the planet and as oceans kind of got
the planet and as oceans kind of got separated and land masses moved around
separated and land masses moved around
separated and land masses moved around they became isolated and essentially
they became isolated and essentially
they became isolated and essentially today there’s two main distinct species
today there’s two main distinct species
today there’s two main distinct species there’s the southern right whale which
there’s the southern right whale which
there’s the southern right whale which we see here and there’s the North
we see here and there’s the North
we see here and there’s the North Atlantic right whale which we see here a
Atlantic right whale which we see here a
Atlantic right whale which we see here a mom and calf the both species were
mom and calf the both species were
mom and calf the both species were hunted to the brink of extinction by
hunted to the brink of extinction by
hunted to the brink of extinction by early whalers but the southern right
early whalers but the southern right
early whalers but the southern right whale has come back much better than the
whale has come back much better than the
whale has come back much better than the North Atlantic which we see here has not
North Atlantic which we see here has not
North Atlantic which we see here has not and the reason that the North Atlantic
and the reason that the North Atlantic
and the reason that the North Atlantic right whale has not come back is because
right whale has not come back is because
right whale has not come back is because they are an urban whale they live along
they are an urban whale they live along
they are an urban whale they live along the east coast of the United States and
the east coast of the United States and
the east coast of the United States and Canada where they’re plagued with all
Canada where they’re plagued with all
Canada where they’re plagued with all kinds of human activity these are
kinds of human activity these are
kinds of human activity these are amazing animals they very hard to read
amazing animals they very hard to read
amazing animals they very hard to read from the surface you know this is a
from the surface you know this is a
from the surface you know this is a picture made in the Bay of Fundy in
picture made in the Bay of Fundy in
picture made in the Bay of Fundy in Canada of an adult right whale coming at
Canada of an adult right whale coming at
Canada of an adult right whale coming at you and they have this rough patch of
you and they have this rough patch of
you and they have this rough patch of skin roughly where we have hair on the
skin roughly where we have hair on the
skin roughly where we have hair on the top of their head on their chin and over
top of their head on their chin and over
top of their head on their chin and over their eyebrows they’re called
their eyebrows they’re called
their eyebrows they’re called callosities and they get occupied by
callosities and they get occupied by
callosities and they get occupied by barnacles and these little parasite crab
barnacles and these little parasite crab
barnacles and these little parasite crab things called Siam it’s very interesting
things called Siam it’s very interesting
things called Siam it’s very interesting animal from the surface this is often
animal from the surface this is often
animal from the surface this is often all you see it looks kind of like a
all you see it looks kind of like a
all you see it looks kind of like a muddy boot just floating on the surface
muddy boot just floating on the surface
muddy boot just floating on the surface but there’s a you know great animal
but there’s a you know great animal
but there’s a you know great animal underneath
underneath
underneath and they have this very distinct
and they have this very distinct
and they have this very distinct v-shaped blow unlike any other whale so
v-shaped blow unlike any other whale so
v-shaped blow unlike any other whale so this is what we look for when we’re
this is what we look for when we’re
this is what we look for when we’re looking for right whales out at sea they
looking for right whales out at sea they
looking for right whales out at sea they also feed using a method of feeding
also feed using a method of feeding
also feed using a method of feeding called skim feeding this was taken in
called skim feeding this was taken in
called skim feeding this was taken in Cape Cod Bay where they actually stick
Cape Cod Bay where they actually stick
Cape Cod Bay where they actually stick their head out of the water and have
their head out of the water and have
their head out of the water and have these baleen plates they sift the
these baleen plates they sift the
these baleen plates they sift the copepods that they eat and then swallow
copepods that they eat and then swallow
copepods that they eat and then swallow them so the pilgrims actually when they
them so the pilgrims actually when they
them so the pilgrims actually when they came to Massachusetts in 1620 reported
came to Massachusetts in 1620 reported
came to Massachusetts in 1620 reported seeing sea monsters and you can see why
seeing sea monsters and you can see why
seeing sea monsters and you can see why because they are very bizarre but as I
because they are very bizarre but as I
because they are very bizarre but as I mentioned they’re threatened the North
mentioned they’re threatened the North
mentioned they’re threatened the North Atlantic right well there’s only about
Atlantic right well there’s only about
Atlantic right well there’s only about three hundred and fifty of them left on
three hundred and fifty of them left on
three hundred and fifty of them left on the planet they are the most endangered
the planet they are the most endangered
the planet they are the most endangered species of whale on earth and part of
species of whale on earth and part of
species of whale on earth and part of the reason is because as I said they
the reason is because as I said they
the reason is because as I said they live very close to the coast this
live very close to the coast this
live very close to the coast this picture was made off the coast of
picture was made off the coast of
picture was made off the coast of Florida just one evening as a sub-adult
Florida just one evening as a sub-adult
Florida just one evening as a sub-adult stuck his head out of the water but you
stuck his head out of the water but you
stuck his head out of the water but you can see this coal smokestack in the
can see this coal smokestack in the
can see this coal smokestack in the background and pollution is a big reason
background and pollution is a big reason
background and pollution is a big reason they think as to why their reproduction
they think as to why their reproduction
they think as to why their reproduction isn’t what it should be they’re not
isn’t what it should be they’re not
isn’t what it should be they’re not having as many calves as the southern
having as many calves as the southern
having as many calves as the southern right whales and they get entangled in
right whales and they get entangled in
right whales and they get entangled in fishing gear about 72% of the population
fishing gear about 72% of the population
fishing gear about 72% of the population has entanglement scars which we see on
has entanglement scars which we see on
has entanglement scars which we see on this tail those white marks are not
this tail those white marks are not
this tail those white marks are not natural markings those are entanglement
natural markings those are entanglement
natural markings those are entanglement scars from fishing gear this one got
scars from fishing gear this one got
scars from fishing gear this one got away but many of them don’t and they
away but many of them don’t and they
away but many of them don’t and they died because of that and they do die
died because of that and they do die
died because of that and they do die also because they get struck by ships
also because they get struck by ships
also because they get struck by ships ship strikes or the leading cause of
ship strikes or the leading cause of
ship strikes or the leading cause of death I believe for for North Atlantic
death I believe for for North Atlantic
death I believe for for North Atlantic right whales this is one that was struck
right whales this is one that was struck
right whales this is one that was struck off of Canada and towed into Nova Scotia
off of Canada and towed into Nova Scotia
off of Canada and towed into Nova Scotia and all the skin had had sort of burned
and all the skin had had sort of burned
and all the skin had had sort of burned off and Sheba the white body became
off and Sheba the white body became
off and Sheba the white body became sunburned and what they typically do
sunburned and what they typically do
sunburned and what they typically do when they tell a right whale in like
when they tell a right whale in like
when they tell a right whale in like this they do a necropsy it’s like a type
this they do a necropsy it’s like a type
this they do a necropsy it’s like a type of autopsy to determine the cause of
of autopsy to determine the cause of
of autopsy to determine the cause of death so with this one they they
death so with this one they they
death so with this one they they actually have to use like heavy
actually have to use like heavy
actually have to use like heavy equipment this big backhoe to to tow it
equipment this big backhoe to to tow it
equipment this big backhoe to to tow it up on the beach and then the scientist
up on the beach and then the scientist
up on the beach and then the scientist from Woods Hole began the process of
from Woods Hole began the process of
from Woods Hole began the process of cutting off the head and flexing it and
cutting off the head and flexing it and
cutting off the head and flexing it and getting it down to the skeletal remains
getting it down to the skeletal remains
getting it down to the skeletal remains to see exactly what caused the animal to
to see exactly what caused the animal to
to see exactly what caused the animal to die and in this case they reassembled
die and in this case they reassembled
die and in this case they reassembled the skeleton here the the vertebrae and
the skeleton here the the vertebrae and
the skeleton here the the vertebrae and those pieces on the grass are the
those pieces on the grass are the
those pieces on the grass are the transverse processes there were eight of
transverse processes there were eight of
transverse processes there were eight of them that were supposed to be part of
them that were supposed to be part of
them that were supposed to be part of that spinal column there all of them
that spinal column there all of them
that spinal column there all of them were snapped off in a very blunt trauma
were snapped off in a very blunt trauma
were snapped off in a very blunt trauma which clearly was a ship strike so
which clearly was a ship strike so
which clearly was a ship strike so there’s no doubt about what caused this
there’s no doubt about what caused this
there’s no doubt about what caused this animal to die it was a collision with a
animal to die it was a collision with a
animal to die it was a collision with a ship
ship
ship and it was the worst of all cases
and it was the worst of all cases
and it was the worst of all cases because this was an adult female that we
because this was an adult female that we
because this was an adult female that we don’t want to lose not that we would
don’t want to lose not that we would
don’t want to lose not that we would want to lose any but the females of
want to lose any but the females of
want to lose any but the females of course of the the worst they say that if
course of the the worst they say that if
course of the the worst they say that if we can just save two right whales a year
we can just save two right whales a year
we can just save two right whales a year in the North Atlantic the population
in the North Atlantic the population
in the North Atlantic the population will continue to grow and they’ll be
will continue to grow and they’ll be
will continue to grow and they’ll be okay but right now they’re on a downward
okay but right now they’re on a downward
okay but right now they’re on a downward spiral and to contrast the the
spiral and to contrast the the
spiral and to contrast the the beleaguered North Atlantic right well I
beleaguered North Atlantic right well I
beleaguered North Atlantic right well I wanted to show a population of southern
wanted to show a population of southern
wanted to show a population of southern right whales that were doing much better
right whales that were doing much better
right whales that were doing much better because they live much further away from
because they live much further away from
because they live much further away from industrialized civilization like we have
industrialized civilization like we have
industrialized civilization like we have here so I went to a population in New
here so I went to a population in New
here so I went to a population in New Zealand in the sub-antarctic that was
Zealand in the sub-antarctic that was
Zealand in the sub-antarctic that was only discovered about ten years ago it
only discovered about ten years ago it
only discovered about ten years ago it was a bit of a speculative trip we
was a bit of a speculative trip we
was a bit of a speculative trip we didn’t know what we would find they
didn’t know what we would find they
didn’t know what we would find they hadn’t really been photographed before
hadn’t really been photographed before
hadn’t really been photographed before so I went down there for three weeks on
so I went down there for three weeks on
so I went down there for three weeks on a sailboat in wintertime as I said in
a sailboat in wintertime as I said in
a sailboat in wintertime as I said in the sub-antarctic so the weather was
the sub-antarctic so the weather was
the sub-antarctic so the weather was tough but I got in the water and was
tough but I got in the water and was
tough but I got in the water and was just amazed at what I saw there were
just amazed at what I saw there were
just amazed at what I saw there were these beautiful whales that were highly
these beautiful whales that were highly
these beautiful whales that were highly curious and just wanted to to come close
curious and just wanted to to come close
curious and just wanted to to come close and see me I was reluctant to have
and see me I was reluctant to have
and see me I was reluctant to have anybody else get in the water with me
anybody else get in the water with me
anybody else get in the water with me initially because I thought these
initially because I thought these
initially because I thought these animals might be spooked by me so I
animals might be spooked by me so I
animals might be spooked by me so I adil the lone most of the time some days
adil the lone most of the time some days
adil the lone most of the time some days the visibility was not so good but it
the visibility was not so good but it
the visibility was not so good but it still was amazing I mean these are forty
still was amazing I mean these are forty
still was amazing I mean these are forty five foot animals seventy tons and they
five foot animals seventy tons and they
five foot animals seventy tons and they were coming close enough this one
were coming close enough this one
were coming close enough this one kicking up some sand as it swam over the
kicking up some sand as it swam over the
kicking up some sand as it swam over the bottom and on the days when the
bottom and on the days when the
bottom and on the days when the visibility was really bad I would go
visibility was really bad I would go
visibility was really bad I would go below and shoot silhouettes
below and shoot silhouettes
below and shoot silhouettes this was courtship kind of a pre mating
this was courtship kind of a pre mating
this was courtship kind of a pre mating event that these whales do these are two
event that these whales do these are two
event that these whales do these are two giant whales doing this courtship ballet
giant whales doing this courtship ballet
giant whales doing this courtship ballet if you will in this very remote part of
if you will in this very remote part of
if you will in this very remote part of the world and then one day I asked my
the world and then one day I asked my
the world and then one day I asked my assistant to join me in the bottom I
assistant to join me in the bottom I
assistant to join me in the bottom I wanted to see if the whales would be
wanted to see if the whales would be
wanted to see if the whales would be curious curious enough to to visit us
curious curious enough to to visit us
curious curious enough to to visit us one more time when we had clear water so
one more time when we had clear water so
one more time when we had clear water so we went down to about 70 feet of water
we went down to about 70 feet of water
we went down to about 70 feet of water wearing our dry suits very cold water
wearing our dry suits very cold water
wearing our dry suits very cold water and sure enough this this City bus just
and sure enough this this City bus just
and sure enough this this City bus just swam up unbelievable I spent about two
swam up unbelievable I spent about two
swam up unbelievable I spent about two hours that day with this whale it was
hours that day with this whale it was
hours that day with this whale it was one of the most extraordinary
one of the most extraordinary
one of the most extraordinary experiences if not the most
experiences if not the most
experiences if not the most extraordinary I’ve had in my career I
extraordinary I’ve had in my career I
extraordinary I’ve had in my career I mean this was an animal that chose to be
mean this was an animal that chose to be
mean this was an animal that chose to be with us I remember that day you know
with us I remember that day you know
with us I remember that day you know you’ve got all this equipment on you’ve
you’ve got all this equipment on you’ve
you’ve got all this equipment on you’ve probably got about 80 pounds of gear in
probably got about 80 pounds of gear in
probably got about 80 pounds of gear in this dry suit and a tight neck seal and
this dry suit and a tight neck seal and
this dry suit and a tight neck seal and you’re down in 70 feet of water and
you’re down in 70 feet of water and
you’re down in 70 feet of water and you’re breathing heavy and I was
you’re breathing heavy and I was
you’re breathing heavy and I was swimming over the bottom to try to keep
swimming over the bottom to try to keep
swimming over the bottom to try to keep up with the whale at one
up with the whale at one
up with the whale at one point photographing it as I moved and
point photographing it as I moved and
point photographing it as I moved and finally you know you just can’t keep up
finally you know you just can’t keep up
finally you know you just can’t keep up anymore so I knelt down on the bottom to
anymore so I knelt down on the bottom to
anymore so I knelt down on the bottom to catch my breath and thinking the wheel
catch my breath and thinking the wheel
catch my breath and thinking the wheel would just keep going and the wheel
would just keep going and the wheel
would just keep going and the wheel stopped it turned and came back and just
stopped it turned and came back and just
stopped it turned and came back and just looked at me with that big eye and sort
looked at me with that big eye and sort
looked at me with that big eye and sort of was waiting for me to catch my breath
of was waiting for me to catch my breath
of was waiting for me to catch my breath and go so um it’s extraordinary when you
and go so um it’s extraordinary when you
and go so um it’s extraordinary when you can have those kinds of encounters a
can have those kinds of encounters a
can have those kinds of encounters a different story that appeared in the
different story that appeared in the
different story that appeared in the July issue this year was a story I did
July issue this year was a story I did
July issue this year was a story I did on Kingman reef it’s this amazing coral
on Kingman reef it’s this amazing coral
on Kingman reef it’s this amazing coral at all about twelve or thirteen hundred
at all about twelve or thirteen hundred
at all about twelve or thirteen hundred miles south of Hawaii I was working with
miles south of Hawaii I was working with
miles south of Hawaii I was working with a team of scientists led by a National
a team of scientists led by a National
a team of scientists led by a National Geographic fellow and reek Saleh who has
Geographic fellow and reek Saleh who has
Geographic fellow and reek Saleh who has been studying some of these pristine
been studying some of these pristine
been studying some of these pristine coral reefs and the most remote part of
coral reefs and the most remote part of
coral reefs and the most remote part of the Pacific and out in the Central
the Pacific and out in the Central
the Pacific and out in the Central Pacific as a way of determining what a
Pacific as a way of determining what a
Pacific as a way of determining what a truly healthy coral reef should be
truly healthy coral reef should be
truly healthy coral reef should be traditionally scientists determined that
traditionally scientists determined that
traditionally scientists determined that a healthy coral reef consisted of a
a healthy coral reef consisted of a
a healthy coral reef consisted of a biomass that was mostly reef fish mostly
biomass that was mostly reef fish mostly
biomass that was mostly reef fish mostly big schools of fish and very few
big schools of fish and very few
big schools of fish and very few predators like sharks like this but what
predators like sharks like this but what
predators like sharks like this but what an reek and his team has discovered by
an reek and his team has discovered by
an reek and his team has discovered by looking at some of the truly pristine
looking at some of the truly pristine
looking at some of the truly pristine reefs left on the planet is that a real
reefs left on the planet is that a real
reefs left on the planet is that a real healthy coral reef has just the opposite
healthy coral reef has just the opposite
healthy coral reef has just the opposite it’s got 85% predators like sharks and
it’s got 85% predators like sharks and
it’s got 85% predators like sharks and snapper these big aggressive predatory
snapper these big aggressive predatory
snapper these big aggressive predatory fish and about 15% reef fish it’s a it’s
fish and about 15% reef fish it’s a it’s
fish and about 15% reef fish it’s a it’s a complete reversal of a paradigm of
a complete reversal of a paradigm of
a complete reversal of a paradigm of what traditionally was thought of he has
what traditionally was thought of he has
what traditionally was thought of he has a new scientific paper that was just
a new scientific paper that was just
a new scientific paper that was just published on this so we went there and I
published on this so we went there and I
published on this so we went there and I was there to document this this
was there to document this this
was there to document this this environment here we see one of those
environment here we see one of those
environment here we see one of those snapper very ferocious fish these were
snapper very ferocious fish these were
snapper very ferocious fish these were far more dangerous and intimidating than
far more dangerous and intimidating than
far more dangerous and intimidating than the sharks one of these guys actually
the sharks one of these guys actually
the sharks one of these guys actually bit my ear took a chunk out of my ear
bit my ear took a chunk out of my ear
bit my ear took a chunk out of my ear one day when I was trying to make a
one day when I was trying to make a
one day when I was trying to make a picture of a little shrimp or something
picture of a little shrimp or something
picture of a little shrimp or something on the reef but and reek describes these
on the reef but and reek describes these
on the reef but and reek describes these reefs as a landscape of fear or perhaps
reefs as a landscape of fear or perhaps
reefs as a landscape of fear or perhaps a seascape of fear where the animals are
a seascape of fear where the animals are
a seascape of fear where the animals are hiding in the reef these little fish
hiding in the reef these little fish
hiding in the reef these little fish like this blenny
like this blenny
like this blenny tucked down inside a coral head or this
tucked down inside a coral head or this
tucked down inside a coral head or this hawk fish just kind of you know peeking
hawk fish just kind of you know peeking
hawk fish just kind of you know peeking out a little bit photographically it was
out a little bit photographically it was
out a little bit photographically it was a real challenge because I got there and
a real challenge because I got there and
a real challenge because I got there and I sort of knew what I was getting into
I sort of knew what I was getting into
I sort of knew what I was getting into but you know you’re still expecting to
but you know you’re still expecting to
but you know you’re still expecting to see lots of fish you expecting to see
see lots of fish you expecting to see
see lots of fish you expecting to see big schools of fish which just weren’t
big schools of fish which just weren’t
big schools of fish which just weren’t existent the fish were there but they
existent the fish were there but they
existent the fish were there but they were all hiding they were tucked down in
were all hiding they were tucked down in
were all hiding they were tucked down in the reef so it was difficult to
the reef so it was difficult to
the reef so it was difficult to photograph them I
photograph them I
photograph them I I began to train myself to see this
I began to train myself to see this
I began to train myself to see this place in more of a landscape way or
place in more of a landscape way or
place in more of a landscape way or fashion as opposed to just the wildlife
fashion as opposed to just the wildlife
fashion as opposed to just the wildlife because the wildlife was hiding this is
because the wildlife was hiding this is
because the wildlife was hiding this is actually a new species of coral that we
actually a new species of coral that we
actually a new species of coral that we discovered while we were on this trip
discovered while we were on this trip
discovered while we were on this trip it’s undescribed to science we first
it’s undescribed to science we first
it’s undescribed to science we first found it and referred to it as the
found it and referred to it as the
found it and referred to it as the Flying Saucer it was this massive piece
Flying Saucer it was this massive piece
Flying Saucer it was this massive piece of coral that’s dr. Salah right up there
of coral that’s dr. Salah right up there
of coral that’s dr. Salah right up there examining it this is another picture of
examining it this is another picture of
examining it this is another picture of him looking at it it’s a very exotic
him looking at it it’s a very exotic
him looking at it it’s a very exotic piece but the new species of coral in
piece but the new species of coral in
piece but the new species of coral in this remote part of the world they
this remote part of the world they
this remote part of the world they estimate that this one coral head is
estimate that this one coral head is
estimate that this one coral head is about 500 years old so it’s amazing to
about 500 years old so it’s amazing to
about 500 years old so it’s amazing to still find pristine places like that on
still find pristine places like that on
still find pristine places like that on the planet but as I mentioned this
the planet but as I mentioned this
the planet but as I mentioned this landscape I described it as a galaxy or
landscape I described it as a galaxy or
landscape I described it as a galaxy or a universe of hard corals there were no
a universe of hard corals there were no
a universe of hard corals there were no soft corals per se but it was this
soft corals per se but it was this
soft corals per se but it was this amazingly healthy hard coral reefs of
amazingly healthy hard coral reefs of
amazingly healthy hard coral reefs of all different kinds and shapes I mean it
all different kinds and shapes I mean it
all different kinds and shapes I mean it was just spectacular
was just spectacular
was just spectacular this picture shows predation on a coral
this picture shows predation on a coral
this picture shows predation on a coral reef it shows the only natural predator
reef it shows the only natural predator
reef it shows the only natural predator that a coral reef has which is the crown
that a coral reef has which is the crown
that a coral reef has which is the crown of thorns starfish and even though over
of thorns starfish and even though over
of thorns starfish and even though over the years I’ve seen ones or twos of
the years I’ve seen ones or twos of
the years I’ve seen ones or twos of these I’ve never seen what’s described
these I’ve never seen what’s described
these I’ve never seen what’s described as a front of crown of thorns which is
as a front of crown of thorns which is
as a front of crown of thorns which is what we see here this is an entire front
what we see here this is an entire front
what we see here this is an entire front many of them moving along a coral reef
many of them moving along a coral reef
many of them moving along a coral reef and everything to the right of the frame
and everything to the right of the frame
and everything to the right of the frame is dead they’ve already eaten that coral
is dead they’ve already eaten that coral
is dead they’ve already eaten that coral and they’re moving ahead to the to the
and they’re moving ahead to the to the
and they’re moving ahead to the to the green or brown part here which they will
green or brown part here which they will
green or brown part here which they will eventually eat but the truth is that
eventually eat but the truth is that
eventually eat but the truth is that this is okay this is natural behavior
this is okay this is natural behavior
this is okay this is natural behavior it’s it’s natural predation it’s like
it’s it’s natural predation it’s like
it’s it’s natural predation it’s like lions and wildebeests in Africa perhaps
lions and wildebeests in Africa perhaps
lions and wildebeests in Africa perhaps it’s it’s what’s expected and a healthy
it’s it’s what’s expected and a healthy
it’s it’s what’s expected and a healthy coral reef is resilient it can come back
coral reef is resilient it can come back
coral reef is resilient it can come back from that a healthy coral reef has
from that a healthy coral reef has
from that a healthy coral reef has things like parrotfish
things like parrotfish
things like parrotfish crunching away at the the algae and
crunching away at the the algae and
crunching away at the the algae and keeping it clean not choking the the
keeping it clean not choking the the
keeping it clean not choking the the coral removing that algae it has little
coral removing that algae it has little
coral removing that algae it has little fish as I described like this damsel
fish as I described like this damsel
fish as I described like this damsel fish hiding in the coral this one hiding
fish hiding in the coral this one hiding
fish hiding in the coral this one hiding in some finger coral and it of course
in some finger coral and it of course
in some finger coral and it of course has the Predators the Sharks and the
has the Predators the Sharks and the
has the Predators the Sharks and the snapper here we see two different
snapper here we see two different
snapper here we see two different species of sharks a gray reef shark and
species of sharks a gray reef shark and
species of sharks a gray reef shark and a white tip reef shark here both
a white tip reef shark here both
a white tip reef shark here both patrolling over this very healthy coral
patrolling over this very healthy coral
patrolling over this very healthy coral reef environment so there are still
reef environment so there are still
reef environment so there are still jewels like this and the science that’s
jewels like this and the science that’s
jewels like this and the science that’s being done will use places like this as
being done will use places like this as
being done will use places like this as a baseline for conservation elsewhere in
a baseline for conservation elsewhere in
a baseline for conservation elsewhere in the world where we need to know how to
the world where we need to know how to
the world where we need to know how to protect coral reefs and I wanted to
protect coral reefs and I wanted to
protect coral reefs and I wanted to close this
close this
close this evening with another story that I did on
evening with another story that I did on
evening with another story that I did on New Zealand’s marine reserves I think
New Zealand’s marine reserves I think
New Zealand’s marine reserves I think that one of the the real solutions that
that one of the the real solutions that
that one of the the real solutions that we need in the world’s oceans to
we need in the world’s oceans to
we need in the world’s oceans to particularly to the problem of
particularly to the problem of
particularly to the problem of overfishing
overfishing
overfishing is to create more marine protected areas
is to create more marine protected areas
is to create more marine protected areas right now in the world there’s less than
right now in the world there’s less than
right now in the world there’s less than 1/10 of 1% of the world’s oceans that
1/10 of 1% of the world’s oceans that
1/10 of 1% of the world’s oceans that are off-limits to commercial fishing
are off-limits to commercial fishing
are off-limits to commercial fishing think about that number for a second
think about that number for a second
think about that number for a second just named less than 1/10 of 1% of the
just named less than 1/10 of 1% of the
just named less than 1/10 of 1% of the world’s oceans are off-limits to
world’s oceans are off-limits to
world’s oceans are off-limits to commercial fishing that’s almost nothing
commercial fishing that’s almost nothing
commercial fishing that’s almost nothing if you compare you know on land we have
if you compare you know on land we have
if you compare you know on land we have many national parks and places they’re
many national parks and places they’re
many national parks and places they’re off-limits to hunting or you know
off-limits to hunting or you know
off-limits to hunting or you know destruction but the oceans we can get
destruction but the oceans we can get
destruction but the oceans we can get away with it so we need more places in
away with it so we need more places in
away with it so we need more places in the ocean we’re officially given a break
the ocean we’re officially given a break
the ocean we’re officially given a break and New Zealand is actually a very
and New Zealand is actually a very
and New Zealand is actually a very progressive country in that regard
progressive country in that regard
progressive country in that regard they’re trying to protect 10% of their
they’re trying to protect 10% of their
they’re trying to protect 10% of their EEZ the exclusive economic zone by the
EEZ the exclusive economic zone by the
EEZ the exclusive economic zone by the year 2010 in two years and the reason
year 2010 in two years and the reason
year 2010 in two years and the reason that this all began was in the early
that this all began was in the early
that this all began was in the early 1970s with this gentleman right here dr.
1970s with this gentleman right here dr.
1970s with this gentleman right here dr. bill Ballantine who’s the father of
bill Ballantine who’s the father of
bill Ballantine who’s the father of marine protected areas certainly in New
marine protected areas certainly in New
marine protected areas certainly in New Zealand
Zealand
Zealand he’s a mollusc scientist he’s not a
he’s a mollusc scientist he’s not a
he’s a mollusc scientist he’s not a diver and even in his late 60s he still
diver and even in his late 60s he still
diver and even in his late 60s he still goes down to the beach every day to do
goes down to the beach every day to do
goes down to the beach every day to do his transects and study his mollusks but
his transects and study his mollusks but
his transects and study his mollusks but in the early 1970s he picked a place
in the early 1970s he picked a place
in the early 1970s he picked a place that was just an ordinary part of the
that was just an ordinary part of the
that was just an ordinary part of the New Zealand coastline was a place called
New Zealand coastline was a place called
New Zealand coastline was a place called Goat Island it wasn’t really an island
Goat Island it wasn’t really an island
Goat Island it wasn’t really an island just the little rocks off the coast but
just the little rocks off the coast but
just the little rocks off the coast but he argued that we needed to protect that
he argued that we needed to protect that
he argued that we needed to protect that and he had to fight sport fishermen he
and he had to fight sport fishermen he
and he had to fight sport fishermen he had to fight commercial fishermen and he
had to fight commercial fishermen and he
had to fight commercial fishermen and he had a fight scientist because scientists
had a fight scientist because scientists
had a fight scientist because scientists from the University of Auckland we’re
from the University of Auckland we’re
from the University of Auckland we’re doing a lot of collecting out there but
doing a lot of collecting out there but
doing a lot of collecting out there but ultimately he prevailed and they
ultimately he prevailed and they
ultimately he prevailed and they protected this place about 30 years ago
protected this place about 30 years ago
protected this place about 30 years ago and what bill told me was he he hoped
and what bill told me was he he hoped
and what bill told me was he he hoped that by protecting Goat Island certain
that by protecting Goat Island certain
that by protecting Goat Island certain species of fish would come back species
species of fish would come back species
species of fish would come back species like the New Zealand snapper we see here
like the New Zealand snapper we see here
like the New Zealand snapper we see here that was highly overfished and they did
that was highly overfished and they did
that was highly overfished and they did come back but what he couldn’t
come back but what he couldn’t
come back but what he couldn’t anticipate what nobody could anticipate
anticipate what nobody could anticipate
anticipate what nobody could anticipate was that certain other things would
was that certain other things would
was that certain other things would happen for example in shallow water near
happen for example in shallow water near
happen for example in shallow water near Goat Island like 20 or 30 feet deep all
Goat Island like 20 or 30 feet deep all
Goat Island like 20 or 30 feet deep all they ever saw before was sea urchins
they ever saw before was sea urchins
they ever saw before was sea urchins lining the bottom just sea urchins
lining the bottom just sea urchins
lining the bottom just sea urchins everywhere covering the the boulders but
everywhere covering the the boulders but
everywhere covering the the boulders but what they didn’t know was that when the
what they didn’t know was that when the
what they didn’t know was that when the snapper returned these
snapper returned these
snapper returned these that snapper predate on on sea urchins
that snapper predate on on sea urchins
that snapper predate on on sea urchins they eat sea urchins so by controlling
they eat sea urchins so by controlling
they eat sea urchins so by controlling the sea urchin populations when the fish
the sea urchin populations when the fish
the sea urchin populations when the fish came back kelp forests returned to
came back kelp forests returned to
came back kelp forests returned to shallow water nobody ever knew that kelp
shallow water nobody ever knew that kelp
shallow water nobody ever knew that kelp grew in 20 or 25 feet of water but today
grew in 20 or 25 feet of water but today
grew in 20 or 25 feet of water but today there are these healthy lush kelp
there are these healthy lush kelp
there are these healthy lush kelp forests in 20 or 30 feet of water
forests in 20 or 30 feet of water
forests in 20 or 30 feet of water because the snapper came back and
because the snapper came back and
because the snapper came back and controlled the origin population and
controlled the origin population and
controlled the origin population and this is how it was this is maybe how the
this is how it was this is maybe how the
this is how it was this is maybe how the ocean was one or two hundred years ago
ocean was one or two hundred years ago
ocean was one or two hundred years ago but nobody’s around to tell us so by
but nobody’s around to tell us so by
but nobody’s around to tell us so by protecting places in the ocean we now
protecting places in the ocean we now
protecting places in the ocean we now have a baseline we know what it’s
have a baseline we know what it’s
have a baseline we know what it’s supposed to be and the thing that I saw
supposed to be and the thing that I saw
supposed to be and the thing that I saw when I was there that struck me as much
when I was there that struck me as much
when I was there that struck me as much as the underwater was that the people
as the underwater was that the people
as the underwater was that the people came to this place I watched kids every
came to this place I watched kids every
came to this place I watched kids every day like these two little boys that were
day like these two little boys that were
day like these two little boys that were in a tidal pool just exploring you know
in a tidal pool just exploring you know
in a tidal pool just exploring you know maybe future biologists maybe future
maybe future biologists maybe future
maybe future biologists maybe future photographers but they were just engaged
photographers but they were just engaged
photographers but they were just engaged they wanted to be there
they wanted to be there
they wanted to be there I watched you know young girls these two
I watched you know young girls these two
I watched you know young girls these two sisters that drove all the way from
sisters that drove all the way from
sisters that drove all the way from Oakland about an hour and a half drive
Oakland about an hour and a half drive
Oakland about an hour and a half drive with their parents and they rented masks
with their parents and they rented masks
with their parents and they rented masks and fins on the beach what you can do
and fins on the beach what you can do
and fins on the beach what you can do there and just wanted to see fish you
there and just wanted to see fish you
there and just wanted to see fish you know Ballantine told me a story he said
know Ballantine told me a story he said
know Ballantine told me a story he said that in 1970 before they protected Goat
that in 1970 before they protected Goat
that in 1970 before they protected Goat Island as a marine reserve about 3,000
Island as a marine reserve about 3,000
Island as a marine reserve about 3,000 people would come there every year to go
people would come there every year to go
people would come there every year to go fishing off the rocks they just line the
fishing off the rocks they just line the
fishing off the rocks they just line the hook in line and sports fish off the
hook in line and sports fish off the
hook in line and sports fish off the rocks and after they passed the
rocks and after they passed the
rocks and after they passed the legislation to make it a marine reserve
legislation to make it a marine reserve
legislation to make it a marine reserve all the newspapers in New Zealand had
all the newspapers in New Zealand had
all the newspapers in New Zealand had huge headlines that said nothing left to
huge headlines that said nothing left to
huge headlines that said nothing left to do at Goat Island because you couldn’t
do at Goat Island because you couldn’t
do at Goat Island because you couldn’t fish there anymore nothing left to do
fish there anymore nothing left to do
fish there anymore nothing left to do fast-forward 30 years now to where we
fast-forward 30 years now to where we
fast-forward 30 years now to where we are today not 3,000 people a year 300
are today not 3,000 people a year 300
are today not 3,000 people a year 300 thousand people a year go to go to
thousand people a year go to go to
thousand people a year go to go to Island and they go there not to go
Island and they go there not to go
Island and they go there not to go fishing off the rocks they go there to
fishing off the rocks they go there to
fishing off the rocks they go there to see fish just to stand on the rocks or
see fish just to stand on the rocks or
see fish just to stand on the rocks or to swim with them and I think that’s
to swim with them and I think that’s
to swim with them and I think that’s that’s what it’s about I worked in other
that’s what it’s about I worked in other
that’s what it’s about I worked in other places in New Zealand as well there’s a
places in New Zealand as well there’s a
places in New Zealand as well there’s a picture me up on a mountaintop we have
picture me up on a mountaintop we have
picture me up on a mountaintop we have to set down our helicopter because the
to set down our helicopter because the
to set down our helicopter because the weather was getting bad but I wanted to
weather was getting bad but I wanted to
weather was getting bad but I wanted to make an aerial picture of a place called
make an aerial picture of a place called
make an aerial picture of a place called Fiordland which is a very Lord of the
Fiordland which is a very Lord of the
Fiordland which is a very Lord of the Rings kind of an environment it’s this
Rings kind of an environment it’s this
Rings kind of an environment it’s this beautiful mountainous region with fjords
beautiful mountainous region with fjords
beautiful mountainous region with fjords and freshwater rivers that are stained
and freshwater rivers that are stained
and freshwater rivers that are stained with tannin lead into the ocean and
with tannin lead into the ocean and
with tannin lead into the ocean and create a permanent layer of freshwater
create a permanent layer of freshwater
create a permanent layer of freshwater about 25 feet thick sitting on top of
about 25 feet thick sitting on top of
about 25 feet thick sitting on top of the salt water so when you
the salt water so when you
the salt water so when you dive in it’s like diving in an old dirty
dive in it’s like diving in an old dirty
dive in it’s like diving in an old dirty river but you go through about 25 feet
river but you go through about 25 feet
river but you go through about 25 feet of this dirty fresh water that’s sitting
of this dirty fresh water that’s sitting
of this dirty fresh water that’s sitting on top of the salt water and you break
on top of the salt water and you break
on top of the salt water and you break into this crystal-clear dark
into this crystal-clear dark
into this crystal-clear dark saltwater below it’s like Dorothy
saltwater below it’s like Dorothy
saltwater below it’s like Dorothy emerging into Oz you know and this is a
emerging into Oz you know and this is a
emerging into Oz you know and this is a picture of some of the animals that live
picture of some of the animals that live
picture of some of the animals that live there it’s a very fragile habitat this
there it’s a very fragile habitat this
there it’s a very fragile habitat this is some animal called black coral which
is some animal called black coral which
is some animal called black coral which actually appears white under water it’s
actually appears white under water it’s
actually appears white under water it’s only black after you break it off and
only black after you break it off and
only black after you break it off and bring it up and polish it but this this
bring it up and polish it but this this
bring it up and polish it but this this beautiful black coral like a Christmas
beautiful black coral like a Christmas
beautiful black coral like a Christmas tree almost in this emerald green world
tree almost in this emerald green world
tree almost in this emerald green world that you’re looking straight up but if
that you’re looking straight up but if
that you’re looking straight up but if you were looking horizontally it’s it’s
you were looking horizontally it’s it’s
you were looking horizontally it’s it’s there’s no ambient light it’s pretty
there’s no ambient light it’s pretty
there’s no ambient light it’s pretty dark there’s another picture made in
dark there’s another picture made in
dark there’s another picture made in fjord land of some animals called sea
fjord land of some animals called sea
fjord land of some animals called sea pens which a reminiscent of the old
pens which a reminiscent of the old
pens which a reminiscent of the old quill pens but these are like a type of
quill pens but these are like a type of
quill pens but these are like a type of soft coral this picture was made at
soft coral this picture was made at
soft coral this picture was made at about 70 feet where there’s no ambient
about 70 feet where there’s no ambient
about 70 feet where there’s no ambient light but these animals like black coral
light but these animals like black coral
light but these animals like black coral and sea pens are tricked into thinking
and sea pens are tricked into thinking
and sea pens are tricked into thinking that they’re in deeper water they
that they’re in deeper water they
that they’re in deeper water they typically live in very deep water but
typically live in very deep water but
typically live in very deep water but because it’s dark here they kind of
because it’s dark here they kind of
because it’s dark here they kind of emerge into the shallower water and as I
emerge into the shallower water and as I
emerge into the shallower water and as I was setting up to make this picture a
was setting up to make this picture a
was setting up to make this picture a blue cod just kind of swim in
blue cod just kind of swim in
blue cod just kind of swim in serendipity is is often one of the
serendipity is is often one of the
serendipity is is often one of the greatest things in photography you just
greatest things in photography you just
greatest things in photography you just get these moments but everywhere I went
get these moments but everywhere I went
get these moments but everywhere I went in New Zealand and all these marine
in New Zealand and all these marine
in New Zealand and all these marine reserves I saw extraordinary things
reserves I saw extraordinary things
reserves I saw extraordinary things playing peek-a-boo with a little new
playing peek-a-boo with a little new
playing peek-a-boo with a little new zealand fur seal pup one day in fronds
zealand fur seal pup one day in fronds
zealand fur seal pup one day in fronds of kelp and tiny little blennies hiding
of kelp and tiny little blennies hiding
of kelp and tiny little blennies hiding out in invertebrate bottoms here are
out in invertebrate bottoms here are
out in invertebrate bottoms here are these strawberry Halla therians as
these strawberry Halla therians as
these strawberry Halla therians as they’re called I went to the North
they’re called I went to the North
they’re called I went to the North Island where the water is bluer to a
Island where the water is bluer to a
Island where the water is bluer to a place called Poor Knights Island and saw
place called Poor Knights Island and saw
place called Poor Knights Island and saw all kinds of interesting relationships
all kinds of interesting relationships
all kinds of interesting relationships this little trevally Jack having some
this little trevally Jack having some
this little trevally Jack having some symbiotic relationship maybe as a
symbiotic relationship maybe as a
symbiotic relationship maybe as a cleaner fish with this New Zealand
cleaner fish with this New Zealand
cleaner fish with this New Zealand snapper I watched every level of the the
snapper I watched every level of the the
snapper I watched every level of the the ecosystem looking very healthy this
ecosystem looking very healthy this
ecosystem looking very healthy this beautiful nudibranch crawling over some
beautiful nudibranch crawling over some
beautiful nudibranch crawling over some orange and crusting sponge an octopus
orange and crusting sponge an octopus
orange and crusting sponge an octopus emerging from its den just around the
emerging from its den just around the
emerging from its den just around the sunset time about to go out and forage
sunset time about to go out and forage
sunset time about to go out and forage about to go out and hunt a leather
about to go out and hunt a leather
about to go out and hunt a leather jacket a type of triggerfish grazing on
jacket a type of triggerfish grazing on
jacket a type of triggerfish grazing on the bottom swimming over this beautiful
the bottom swimming over this beautiful
the bottom swimming over this beautiful green bottom and I wanted to close with
green bottom and I wanted to close with
green bottom and I wanted to close with this picture which is a picture that I
this picture which is a picture that I
this picture which is a picture that I hope to make for this story a picture
hope to make for this story a picture
hope to make for this story a picture that I think represents how the oceans
that I think represents how the oceans
that I think represents how the oceans might have looked one or two
might have looked one or two
might have looked one or two years ago a primal ocean if you will a
years ago a primal ocean if you will a
years ago a primal ocean if you will a primal ocean of life I think that you
primal ocean of life I think that you
primal ocean of life I think that you know with an increased awareness we can
know with an increased awareness we can
know with an increased awareness we can begin to understand the problems of our
begin to understand the problems of our
begin to understand the problems of our oceans and by taking ownership of our
oceans and by taking ownership of our
oceans and by taking ownership of our planet and giving it the protection it
planet and giving it the protection it
planet and giving it the protection it deserves scenes like this will not be
deserves scenes like this will not be
deserves scenes like this will not be the exception but they’ll be the rule
the exception but they’ll be the rule
the exception but they’ll be the rule thanks very much
”
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