Brian Skerry: Ocean Soul | Nat Geo Live

I often sense a life force emanating

I often sense a life force emanating from creatures I photograph an energy

from creatures I photograph an energy

from creatures I photograph an energy that’s tangible and defines an

that’s tangible and defines an

that’s tangible and defines an individual animal my hope is to preserve

individual animal my hope is to preserve

individual animal my hope is to preserve a moment in time an instant when the

a moment in time an instant when the

a moment in time an instant when the creature spirit is captured in a blend

creature spirit is captured in a blend

creature spirit is captured in a blend of light gesture and grace all that I’ve

of light gesture and grace all that I’ve

of light gesture and grace all that I’ve experienced this life force of the sea

experienced this life force of the sea

experienced this life force of the sea and the wounds that she suffers together

and the wounds that she suffers together

and the wounds that she suffers together they represent ocean soul

National Geographic of course is an

National Geographic of course is an organization that is all about

organization that is all about

organization that is all about exploration and storytelling which for

exploration and storytelling which for

exploration and storytelling which for me is what ocean soul is about as well

me is what ocean soul is about as well

me is what ocean soul is about as well it’s been described as a love story if

it’s been described as a love story if

it’s been described as a love story if you read the back of the book cover it’s

you read the back of the book cover it’s

you read the back of the book cover it’s about a love story and I guess it is

about a love story and I guess it is

about a love story and I guess it is from those very first dives that I made

from those very first dives that I made

from those very first dives that I made as a teenager I fell in love with not

as a teenager I fell in love with not

as a teenager I fell in love with not only the sea but with exploration and

only the sea but with exploration and

only the sea but with exploration and discovery of life within the ocean as

discovery of life within the ocean as

discovery of life within the ocean as well

well

well you know Earth’s oceans still remain so

you know Earth’s oceans still remain so

you know Earth’s oceans still remain so largely unexplored a place that we

largely unexplored a place that we

largely unexplored a place that we really know very little about it’s often

really know very little about it’s often

really know very little about it’s often been said that three-quarters of the

been said that three-quarters of the

been said that three-quarters of the earth’s surface is ocean but it’s more

earth’s surface is ocean but it’s more

earth’s surface is ocean but it’s more than that ninety-eight percent of the

than that ninety-eight percent of the

than that ninety-eight percent of the biosphere the livable habitable planet

biosphere the livable habitable planet

biosphere the livable habitable planet is ocean so for a journalist in a

is ocean so for a journalist in a

is ocean so for a journalist in a photographer it really is the perfect

photographer it really is the perfect

photographer it really is the perfect place to work because there’s always

place to work because there’s always

place to work because there’s always amazing stories to be told I find that

amazing stories to be told I find that

amazing stories to be told I find that the best way for me to reveal the

the best way for me to reveal the

the best way for me to reveal the secrets and mysteries of the sea is to

secrets and mysteries of the sea is to

secrets and mysteries of the sea is to simply spend as much time as I possibly

simply spend as much time as I possibly

simply spend as much time as I possibly can underwater now we’re limited as

can underwater now we’re limited as

can underwater now we’re limited as divers of course we can only stay

divers of course we can only stay

divers of course we can only stay underwater as long as the air supply

underwater as long as the air supply

underwater as long as the air supply lasts and there are thermal

lasts and there are thermal

lasts and there are thermal considerations we can’t stay underwater

considerations we can’t stay underwater

considerations we can’t stay underwater very long because you’re going to get

very long because you’re going to get

very long because you’re going to get cold even in the warmest places and you

cold even in the warmest places and you

cold even in the warmest places and you know we’re limited we can’t use

know we’re limited we can’t use

know we’re limited we can’t use telephoto lenses we can’t change lenses

telephoto lenses we can’t change lenses

telephoto lenses we can’t change lenses underwater we can’t change film or

underwater we can’t change film or

underwater we can’t change film or compact flash cards but despite all

compact flash cards but despite all

compact flash cards but despite all those challenges I know that if I can

those challenges I know that if I can

those challenges I know that if I can just get out there and spend time even

just get out there and spend time even

just get out there and spend time even little bits of time I will see

little bits of time I will see

little bits of time I will see extraordinary things usually whenever

extraordinary things usually whenever

extraordinary things usually whenever I’m beginning a new assignment or making

I’m beginning a new assignment or making

I’m beginning a new assignment or making my first dives in a new location all I

my first dives in a new location all I

my first dives in a new location all I see is chaos you know there are fish

see is chaos you know there are fish

see is chaos you know there are fish swirling around and so much happening

swirling around and so much happening

swirling around and so much happening that I really don’t understand so I try

that I really don’t understand so I try

that I really don’t understand so I try to focus in on an individual behavior

to focus in on an individual behavior

to focus in on an individual behavior one scene that makes sense to me and I

one scene that makes sense to me and I

one scene that makes sense to me and I use these behaviors to lead me into the

use these behaviors to lead me into the

use these behaviors to lead me into the animals world you know might be a tiny

animals world you know might be a tiny

animals world you know might be a tiny blenny like we see here that’s popping

blenny like we see here that’s popping

blenny like we see here that’s popping out from some hard coral to feed in the

out from some hard coral to feed in the

out from some hard coral to feed in the water current or it could be a delicate

water current or it could be a delicate

water current or it could be a delicate butterfly fish that’s up in the water

butterfly fish that’s up in the water

butterfly fish that’s up in the water column being cleaned by a small wrasse

column being cleaned by a small wrasse

column being cleaned by a small wrasse all of these things are inevitably

all of these things are inevitably

all of these things are inevitably happening all around me and I just need

happening all around me and I just need

happening all around me and I just need to zero in on one at a time to be

to zero in on one at a time to be

to zero in on one at a time to be in putting the pieces together and

in putting the pieces together and

in putting the pieces together and making order out of chaos the images you

making order out of chaos the images you

making order out of chaos the images you know if behavior and such as important

know if behavior and such as important

know if behavior and such as important but the images also have to be visually

but the images also have to be visually

but the images also have to be visually interesting photographically for the

interesting photographically for the

interesting photographically for the magazine so I’m always looking for

magazine so I’m always looking for

magazine so I’m always looking for scenes or pictures that might also

scenes or pictures that might also

scenes or pictures that might also illustrate patterns and textures color

illustrate patterns and textures color

illustrate patterns and textures color things like that it might be an image of

things like that it might be an image of

things like that it might be an image of these pastel colored mushroom corals

these pastel colored mushroom corals

these pastel colored mushroom corals that we found in the Pacific or a school

that we found in the Pacific or a school

that we found in the Pacific or a school of fish feeding at night you know an

of fish feeding at night you know an

of fish feeding at night you know an ocean soul in the book I write that I

ocean soul in the book I write that I

ocean soul in the book I write that I believe my my most important role

believe my my most important role

believe my my most important role remains as artistic interpreter of all

remains as artistic interpreter of all

remains as artistic interpreter of all that I see and as a storyteller I need

that I see and as a storyteller I need

that I see and as a storyteller I need to understand the science but I want to

to understand the science but I want to

to understand the science but I want to see and capture the poetry and that’s

see and capture the poetry and that’s

see and capture the poetry and that’s really what it’s about it’s about

really what it’s about it’s about

really what it’s about it’s about blending those things so you know to me

blending those things so you know to me

blending those things so you know to me the ocean is a kaleidoscope it’s always

the ocean is a kaleidoscope it’s always

the ocean is a kaleidoscope it’s always moving with color and light and gesture

moving with color and light and gesture

moving with color and light and gesture and if I can capture all of those use my

and if I can capture all of those use my

and if I can capture all of those use my my camera like a canvas and capture

my camera like a canvas and capture

my camera like a canvas and capture behavior like surgeon fin fish feeding

behavior like surgeon fin fish feeding

behavior like surgeon fin fish feeding at night then you know I’m sort of doing

at night then you know I’m sort of doing

at night then you know I’m sort of doing the job it might be going into the water

the job it might be going into the water

the job it might be going into the water on a day off in New England to make a

on a day off in New England to make a

on a day off in New England to make a picture of a blue shark like we see here

picture of a blue shark like we see here

picture of a blue shark like we see here this is an animal that I wanted a

this is an animal that I wanted a

this is an animal that I wanted a photograph I’d always been intrigued by

photograph I’d always been intrigued by

photograph I’d always been intrigued by how beautiful their lines were you know

how beautiful their lines were you know

how beautiful their lines were you know they’re they’ve been sculpted by eons of

they’re they’ve been sculpted by eons of

they’re they’ve been sculpted by eons of evolution and I wanted to make a photo

evolution and I wanted to make a photo

evolution and I wanted to make a photo that sort of showed them like an

that sort of showed them like an

that sort of showed them like an aircraft because they’re pelagic animals

aircraft because they’re pelagic animals

aircraft because they’re pelagic animals with these huge wing-like pectoral fins

with these huge wing-like pectoral fins

with these huge wing-like pectoral fins and this beautiful sort of slender

and this beautiful sort of slender

and this beautiful sort of slender fuselage like body so this animal that I

fuselage like body so this animal that I

fuselage like body so this animal that I ended up photographing that day actually

ended up photographing that day actually

ended up photographing that day actually had a little parasitic copepod a little

had a little parasitic copepod a little

had a little parasitic copepod a little red dash of color on the dorsal fin a

red dash of color on the dorsal fin a

red dash of color on the dorsal fin a little pelagic hitchhiker that was going

little pelagic hitchhiker that was going

little pelagic hitchhiker that was going along for the ride now I’ve been very

along for the ride now I’ve been very

along for the ride now I’ve been very fortunate to work with some wonderful

fortunate to work with some wonderful

fortunate to work with some wonderful scientists and researchers throughout my

scientists and researchers throughout my

scientists and researchers throughout my career that’s really what I do I

career that’s really what I do I

career that’s really what I do I parachute into their world and tell

parachute into their world and tell

parachute into their world and tell their stories here we see a photograph

their stories here we see a photograph

their stories here we see a photograph of my colleague Andrea kala

of my colleague Andrea kala

of my colleague Andrea kala hovering over a new species of coral

hovering over a new species of coral

hovering over a new species of coral that we found and his scientific team

that we found and his scientific team

that we found and his scientific team discovered on an expedition in the

discovered on an expedition in the

discovered on an expedition in the middle of the Pacific now this is

middle of the Pacific now this is

middle of the Pacific now this is amazing to be able to go on an

amazing to be able to go on an

amazing to be able to go on an expedition and and discover something

expedition and and discover something

expedition and and discover something new like this in the wintertime off of

new like this in the wintertime off of

new like this in the wintertime off of Hokkaido in the northern part of Japan

Hokkaido in the northern part of Japan

Hokkaido in the northern part of Japan where ice will blanket the ocean

where ice will blanket the ocean

where ice will blanket the ocean sometimes forming miles of pack ice it’s

sometimes forming miles of pack ice it’s

sometimes forming miles of pack ice it’s a region that in wintertime is quite

a region that in wintertime is quite

a region that in wintertime is quite well known for populations of seagulls

well known for populations of seagulls

well known for populations of seagulls that come here

that come here

that come here feed here we see a stellar sea eagle

feed here we see a stellar sea eagle

feed here we see a stellar sea eagle that was looking for herring amongst the

that was looking for herring amongst the

that was looking for herring amongst the cracks in the ice and so forth and it’s

cracks in the ice and so forth and it’s

cracks in the ice and so forth and it’s important for a photographer that’s

important for a photographer that’s

important for a photographer that’s doing it under water story to get

doing it under water story to get

doing it under water story to get surface pictures as well because this

surface pictures as well because this

surface pictures as well because this helps give people a sense of place and

helps give people a sense of place and

helps give people a sense of place and lend some context to where we’re

lend some context to where we’re

lend some context to where we’re actually going to be making the most of

actually going to be making the most of

actually going to be making the most of the pictures in the story but you know

the pictures in the story but you know

the pictures in the story but you know for me it’s always about getting

for me it’s always about getting

for me it’s always about getting underwater and that was the reason I was

underwater and that was the reason I was

underwater and that was the reason I was really here exploring in places like

really here exploring in places like

really here exploring in places like this is about as alien as you can get

this is about as alien as you can get

this is about as alien as you can get without going to another planet the

without going to another planet the

without going to another planet the water is 29 degrees twenty-eight point

water is 29 degrees twenty-eight point

water is 29 degrees twenty-eight point five degrees Fahrenheit the ice pack is

five degrees Fahrenheit the ice pack is

five degrees Fahrenheit the ice pack is sometimes 25 feet thick above your head

sometimes 25 feet thick above your head

sometimes 25 feet thick above your head and you have to wear all this equipment

and you have to wear all this equipment

and you have to wear all this equipment like an astronaut really but and and the

like an astronaut really but and and the

like an astronaut really but and and the ice is always moving as well so finding

ice is always moving as well so finding

ice is always moving as well so finding your exit can be a little tricky

your exit can be a little tricky

your exit can be a little tricky but you know despite those challenges

but you know despite those challenges

but you know despite those challenges the risk to me is always worth the

the risk to me is always worth the

the risk to me is always worth the reward because you see amazing things

reward because you see amazing things

reward because you see amazing things down there

down there

down there this was a tiny little animal that I

this was a tiny little animal that I

this was a tiny little animal that I knew would exist here and was very

knew would exist here and was very

knew would exist here and was very thrilled to find one day it’s it’s

thrilled to find one day it’s it’s

thrilled to find one day it’s it’s called a sea angel it’s about the size

called a sea angel it’s about the size

called a sea angel it’s about the size of a tic tac and it just floats on

of a tic tac and it just floats on

of a tic tac and it just floats on little wings little diminutive wings

little wings little diminutive wings

little wings little diminutive wings flying it beneath that ice pack it’s

flying it beneath that ice pack it’s

flying it beneath that ice pack it’s translucent body with reds and blues

translucent body with reds and blues

translucent body with reds and blues amazing and on the benthic level at the

amazing and on the benthic level at the

amazing and on the benthic level at the bottom you know down on the sea floor

bottom you know down on the sea floor

bottom you know down on the sea floor you find other equally amazing animals

you find other equally amazing animals

you find other equally amazing animals this was something called a barbed

this was something called a barbed

this was something called a barbed poacher so many of the fish that I found

poacher so many of the fish that I found

poacher so many of the fish that I found here reminded me of things that I had

here reminded me of things that I had

here reminded me of things that I had seen elsewhere like a flying Guignard or

seen elsewhere like a flying Guignard or

seen elsewhere like a flying Guignard or a sea Raven that I’ve seen in other

a sea Raven that I’ve seen in other

a sea Raven that I’ve seen in other parts of the world but this animal had

parts of the world but this animal had

parts of the world but this animal had this long sword like thing on its nose

this long sword like thing on its nose

this long sword like thing on its nose very very exotic very different at the

very very exotic very different at the

very very exotic very different at the other end of the spectrum from the cold

other end of the spectrum from the cold

other end of the spectrum from the cold north of Japan I went to a tropical

north of Japan I went to a tropical

north of Japan I went to a tropical location the Ogasawara islands which

location the Ogasawara islands which

location the Ogasawara islands which were about 600 miles from Tokyo out in

were about 600 miles from Tokyo out in

were about 600 miles from Tokyo out in the middle of the Pacific and once again

the middle of the Pacific and once again

the middle of the Pacific and once again I found myself trying to make order out

I found myself trying to make order out

I found myself trying to make order out of chaos you know I found a school of

of chaos you know I found a school of

of chaos you know I found a school of fish and zeroed in on this one little

fish and zeroed in on this one little

fish and zeroed in on this one little red fish in the middle known as a glass

red fish in the middle known as a glass

red fish in the middle known as a glass eye that seemed to be hiding out amongst

eye that seemed to be hiding out amongst

eye that seemed to be hiding out amongst the sea bream here kind of hoping I

the sea bream here kind of hoping I

the sea bream here kind of hoping I didn’t blow his cover I guess as

didn’t blow his cover I guess as

didn’t blow his cover I guess as wondering who’s looking at who and

wondering who’s looking at who and

wondering who’s looking at who and another day you know I sat at the top of

another day you know I sat at the top of

another day you know I sat at the top of an old world war 2 shipwreck and the top

an old world war 2 shipwreck and the top

an old world war 2 shipwreck and the top of the engine had a little colony of

of the engine had a little colony of

of the engine had a little colony of coral on it and inside one of the

coral on it and inside one of the

coral on it and inside one of the tubes on the coral I found this tiny

tubes on the coral I found this tiny

tubes on the coral I found this tiny little hermit crab that’s about the size

little hermit crab that’s about the size

little hermit crab that’s about the size of a grain of rice that would only pop

of a grain of rice that would only pop

of a grain of rice that would only pop out for a few seconds and then go back

out for a few seconds and then go back

out for a few seconds and then go back in he would pop out to feed with his

in he would pop out to feed with his

in he would pop out to feed with his antennae so as I swayed you know wrap my

antennae so as I swayed you know wrap my

antennae so as I swayed you know wrap my legs around the top of the engine and

legs around the top of the engine and

legs around the top of the engine and just sort of swayed in the and the surge

just sort of swayed in the and the surge

just sort of swayed in the and the surge working this very tiny little animal but

working this very tiny little animal but

working this very tiny little animal but every piece an important part of the

every piece an important part of the

every piece an important part of the story in a cave in chichi Jima Island

story in a cave in chichi Jima Island

story in a cave in chichi Jima Island out here I was shown by my guy this

out here I was shown by my guy this

out here I was shown by my guy this undescribed to science population of

undescribed to science population of

undescribed to science population of tunicates these little tunicates that

tunicates these little tunicates that

tunicates these little tunicates that are found nowhere else in the world and

are found nowhere else in the world and

are found nowhere else in the world and to make this picture I had to actually

to make this picture I had to actually

to make this picture I had to actually invert my body my assistant was holding

invert my body my assistant was holding

invert my body my assistant was holding my legs as I wedged myself between a

my legs as I wedged myself between a

my legs as I wedged myself between a boulder and the cave wall this is the

boulder and the cave wall this is the

boulder and the cave wall this is the only place in the world these little

only place in the world these little

only place in the world these little guys are found and I just thought it

guys are found and I just thought it

guys are found and I just thought it would be a good part for the story I

would be a good part for the story I

would be a good part for the story I thought they were particularly

thought they were particularly

thought they were particularly interesting because they looked like

interesting because they looked like

interesting because they looked like they had little faces on them you know

they had little faces on them you know

they had little faces on them you know like little mr. bill faces oh no but

like little mr. bill faces oh no but

like little mr. bill faces oh no but that there there that’s not their face

that there there that’s not their face

that there there that’s not their face of course but it just looked interesting

of course but it just looked interesting

of course but it just looked interesting and actually went to the Yogeshwara

and actually went to the Yogeshwara

and actually went to the Yogeshwara islands to photograph these guys or

islands to photograph these guys or

islands to photograph these guys or these gals I should say the same tiger

these gals I should say the same tiger

these gals I should say the same tiger sharks which I’ve been told could be

sharks which I’ve been told could be

sharks which I’ve been told could be predictably found here pretty much

predictably found here pretty much

predictably found here pretty much anytime that you went there well I spent

anytime that you went there well I spent

anytime that you went there well I spent an entire month in this place without

an entire month in this place without

an entire month in this place without ever seeing one until the next to the

ever seeing one until the next to the

ever seeing one until the next to the last day when I found this beautiful

last day when I found this beautiful

last day when I found this beautiful probably 9 or 10 foot female that was

probably 9 or 10 foot female that was

probably 9 or 10 foot female that was pregnant just cruising over the bottom

pregnant just cruising over the bottom

pregnant just cruising over the bottom at about 60 feet probably just days away

at about 60 feet probably just days away

at about 60 feet probably just days away from giving her pups or having her pups

from giving her pups or having her pups

from giving her pups or having her pups and my last location for the Japan story

and my last location for the Japan story

and my last location for the Japan story was a place called Suruga Bay on the

was a place called Suruga Bay on the

was a place called Suruga Bay on the easy peninsula it’s about a two-hour

easy peninsula it’s about a two-hour

easy peninsula it’s about a two-hour drive from Tokyo and it’s always in the

drive from Tokyo and it’s always in the

drive from Tokyo and it’s always in the shadow of Mount Fuji wherever I was

shadow of Mount Fuji wherever I was

shadow of Mount Fuji wherever I was diving I could see the mountain this is

diving I could see the mountain this is

diving I could see the mountain this is perhaps my or was perhaps my favorite

perhaps my or was perhaps my favorite

perhaps my or was perhaps my favorite place while working on this story

place while working on this story

place while working on this story because it truly was like swimming

because it truly was like swimming

because it truly was like swimming through the pages of a storybook every

through the pages of a storybook every

through the pages of a storybook every dive was interesting with a fascinating

dive was interesting with a fascinating

dive was interesting with a fascinating cast of characters this was a place that

cast of characters this was a place that

cast of characters this was a place that was a spooky sort of whip coral forest

was a spooky sort of whip coral forest

was a spooky sort of whip coral forest that reminded me of something out of a

that reminded me of something out of a

that reminded me of something out of a Tim Burton movie and on any one of those

Tim Burton movie and on any one of those

Tim Burton movie and on any one of those little strands of whip coral if you’re

little strands of whip coral if you’re

little strands of whip coral if you’re very lucky I mean not all of them have

very lucky I mean not all of them have

very lucky I mean not all of them have it but if you search high and low you

it but if you search high and low you

it but if you search high and low you might find on just one a pair of little

might find on just one a pair of little

might find on just one a pair of little shrimp

shrimp

shrimp these are whip coral shrimp that lived

these are whip coral shrimp that lived

these are whip coral shrimp that lived their entire

their entire

their entire life on a single strand of whip coral

life on a single strand of whip coral

life on a single strand of whip coral than the male in the front and the

than the male in the front and the

than the male in the front and the female the larger in the back but you

female the larger in the back but you

female the larger in the back but you know again all part of the story felt

know again all part of the story felt

know again all part of the story felt like hitting the lottery when you

like hitting the lottery when you

like hitting the lottery when you finally find this kind of stuff down

finally find this kind of stuff down

finally find this kind of stuff down there and on another dive I found this

there and on another dive I found this

there and on another dive I found this lizard fish it’s very rare to find a

lizard fish it’s very rare to find a

lizard fish it’s very rare to find a fish eating another fish underwater you

fish eating another fish underwater you

fish eating another fish underwater you think that would happen all the time but

think that would happen all the time but

think that would happen all the time but it really doesn’t but I came across the

it really doesn’t but I came across the

it really doesn’t but I came across the bottom here there’s volcanic sandy

bottom here there’s volcanic sandy

bottom here there’s volcanic sandy bottom in the yuzu peninsula

bottom in the yuzu peninsula

bottom in the yuzu peninsula I found this lizard fish eating this

I found this lizard fish eating this

I found this lizard fish eating this wrasse which evidently was going down

wrasse which evidently was going down

wrasse which evidently was going down kind of rough I think the spines on the

kind of rough I think the spines on the

kind of rough I think the spines on the dorsal fin were we’re a little stuck or

dorsal fin were we’re a little stuck or

dorsal fin were we’re a little stuck or something because it took him a very

something because it took him a very

something because it took him a very long time gave me plenty of opportunity

long time gave me plenty of opportunity

long time gave me plenty of opportunity to make pictures but the smarter fish in

to make pictures but the smarter fish in

to make pictures but the smarter fish in this part of the world of course take

this part of the world of course take

this part of the world of course take cover inside a tin can like like this

cover inside a tin can like like this

cover inside a tin can like like this little guy did here I was diving down at

little guy did here I was diving down at

little guy did here I was diving down at a depth of a hundred feet on the bottom

a depth of a hundred feet on the bottom

a depth of a hundred feet on the bottom of a slope and I saw a little flash of

of a slope and I saw a little flash of

of a slope and I saw a little flash of color a little flash of light inside

color a little flash of light inside

color a little flash of light inside this abandoned soda can and I got down

this abandoned soda can and I got down

this abandoned soda can and I got down on my belly and so to inch my way closer

on my belly and so to inch my way closer

on my belly and so to inch my way closer and I could see this little yellow goby

and I could see this little yellow goby

and I could see this little yellow goby is like a Cheshire Cat or something that

is like a Cheshire Cat or something that

is like a Cheshire Cat or something that I thought was going to talk but I sort

I thought was going to talk but I sort

I thought was going to talk but I sort of just inched closer and closer and

of just inched closer and closer and

of just inched closer and closer and made a frame when he was in the middle

made a frame when he was in the middle

made a frame when he was in the middle of his doorway here and and then moved

of his doorway here and and then moved

of his doorway here and and then moved on I’ve been exploring the world’s

on I’ve been exploring the world’s

on I’ve been exploring the world’s oceans and making pictures for about 35

oceans and making pictures for about 35

oceans and making pictures for about 35 years and working for National

years and working for National

years and working for National Geographic for almost 14 years and I

Geographic for almost 14 years and I

Geographic for almost 14 years and I never cease to be amazed at the

never cease to be amazed at the

never cease to be amazed at the incredible things that I find you know I

incredible things that I find you know I

incredible things that I find you know I I know that if I go out on the ocean and

I know that if I go out on the ocean and

I know that if I go out on the ocean and spend time either on a boat or

spend time either on a boat or

spend time either on a boat or underwater I will see incredible things

underwater I will see incredible things

underwater I will see incredible things but over the course of my career I’ve

but over the course of my career I’ve

but over the course of my career I’ve also begun to see some rather terrible

also begun to see some rather terrible

also begun to see some rather terrible things as well things that I don’t think

things as well things that I don’t think

things as well things that I don’t think are necessarily apparent to most people

are necessarily apparent to most people

are necessarily apparent to most people and as my career is evolved I’ve decided

and as my career is evolved I’ve decided

and as my career is evolved I’ve decided to sort of turn my lens my camera

to sort of turn my lens my camera

to sort of turn my lens my camera towards some of these things as well to

towards some of these things as well to

towards some of these things as well to tell a more complete story about what’s

tell a more complete story about what’s

tell a more complete story about what’s going on one of the first stories that I

going on one of the first stories that I

going on one of the first stories that I did for the geographic where I realized

did for the geographic where I realized

did for the geographic where I realized the ability to include environmental

the ability to include environmental

the ability to include environmental themes and conservation themes within

themes and conservation themes within

themes and conservation themes within the context of a broader Natural History

the context of a broader Natural History

the context of a broader Natural History coverage was a story on harp sails

coverage was a story on harp sails

coverage was a story on harp sails now the story I initially wanted to do

now the story I initially wanted to do

now the story I initially wanted to do was one that essentially just looked at

was one that essentially just looked at

was one that essentially just looked at a brief window in this animals lifecycle

a brief window in this animals lifecycle

a brief window in this animals lifecycle these are arctic animals they spend most

these are arctic animals they spend most

these are arctic animals they spend most of the year in the Arctic but they come

of the year in the Arctic but they come

of the year in the Arctic but they come down to the Gulf of st. Lawrence in

down to the Gulf of st. Lawrence in

down to the Gulf of st. Lawrence in Canada for just a few weeks each year to

Canada for just a few weeks each year to

Canada for just a few weeks each year to engage in courtship

engage in courtship

engage in courtship dating and to have their pubs and this

dating and to have their pubs and this

dating and to have their pubs and this is all played out against a backdrop of

is all played out against a backdrop of

is all played out against a backdrop of transient pack ice that moves with wind

transient pack ice that moves with wind

transient pack ice that moves with wind and tide what I really wanted a

and tide what I really wanted a

and tide what I really wanted a photograph initially was just the the

photograph initially was just the the

photograph initially was just the the lifecycle

lifecycle

lifecycle you know behaviors like the harp seal

you know behaviors like the harp seal

you know behaviors like the harp seal kiss that we see here where a mom will

kiss that we see here where a mom will

kiss that we see here where a mom will sniff her pup before feeding it every

sniff her pup before feeding it every

sniff her pup before feeding it every time just to make sure she’s feeding

time just to make sure she’s feeding

time just to make sure she’s feeding only her pup or the the fact that this

only her pup or the the fact that this

only her pup or the the fact that this is the second-fastest weaning in the

is the second-fastest weaning in the

is the second-fastest weaning in the animal kingdom these animals go from

animal kingdom these animals go from

animal kingdom these animals go from being born with no fat on their body to

being born with no fat on their body to

being born with no fat on their body to being what’s known as fat white coats in

being what’s known as fat white coats in

being what’s known as fat white coats in about 14 days and they get just really

about 14 days and they get just really

about 14 days and they get just really chubby and it’s around that time that

chubby and it’s around that time that

chubby and it’s around that time that they go into the water and test out

they go into the water and test out

they go into the water and test out their flippers and when they first get

their flippers and when they first get

their flippers and when they first get in is we see this pup doing here they

in is we see this pup doing here they

in is we see this pup doing here they don’t really know how to swim very well

don’t really know how to swim very well

don’t really know how to swim very well Penna pads of course are great swimmers

Penna pads of course are great swimmers

Penna pads of course are great swimmers but in the beginning their coat has a

but in the beginning their coat has a

but in the beginning their coat has a lot of trapped air and they really

lot of trapped air and they really

lot of trapped air and they really aren’t used to swimming and they sort of

aren’t used to swimming and they sort of

aren’t used to swimming and they sort of just Bob there which allowed me to make

just Bob there which allowed me to make

just Bob there which allowed me to make some some portraits of this guy but

some some portraits of this guy but

some some portraits of this guy but pretty soon they get the hang of it and

pretty soon they get the hang of it and

pretty soon they get the hang of it and they start swimming and I was able to

they start swimming and I was able to

they start swimming and I was able to make pictures like this that had never

make pictures like this that had never

make pictures like this that had never been made before of a pup making its

been made before of a pup making its

been made before of a pup making its first solo swim under the ice shelf

first solo swim under the ice shelf

first solo swim under the ice shelf while mom sort of proudly watches from

while mom sort of proudly watches from

while mom sort of proudly watches from from behind here it’s like riding your

from behind here it’s like riding your

from behind here it’s like riding your bike for the first time I guess but we

bike for the first time I guess but we

bike for the first time I guess but we decided that if we were going to tell

decided that if we were going to tell

decided that if we were going to tell this story we couldn’t ignore a couple

this story we couldn’t ignore a couple

this story we couldn’t ignore a couple of big environmental issues that were

of big environmental issues that were

of big environmental issues that were relevant to these animals the first was

relevant to these animals the first was

relevant to these animals the first was that they were continuing to be hunted

that they were continuing to be hunted

that they were continuing to be hunted and still or hunted today it’s actually

and still or hunted today it’s actually

and still or hunted today it’s actually the largest mass slaughter of marine

the largest mass slaughter of marine

the largest mass slaughter of marine mammals on the planet with hundreds of

mammals on the planet with hundreds of

mammals on the planet with hundreds of thousands of harp seals being killed

thousands of harp seals being killed

thousands of harp seals being killed every year just for their fur so I was

every year just for their fur so I was

every year just for their fur so I was the first journalist that was allowed on

the first journalist that was allowed on

the first journalist that was allowed on one of these hunting boats in about 17

one of these hunting boats in about 17

one of these hunting boats in about 17 years I guess and was allowed to make

years I guess and was allowed to make

years I guess and was allowed to make some pictures I was given some rules but

some pictures I was given some rules but

some pictures I was given some rules but so here we see a hunter bringing back

so here we see a hunter bringing back

so here we see a hunter bringing back one of those those seal pups and as

one of those those seal pups and as

one of those those seal pups and as troubling as this is and it certainly is

troubling as this is and it certainly is

troubling as this is and it certainly is troubling I think the the bigger threat

troubling I think the the bigger threat

troubling I think the the bigger threat for these animals going forward is going

for these animals going forward is going

for these animals going forward is going to be the loss of sea ice due to climate

to be the loss of sea ice due to climate

to be the loss of sea ice due to climate change the scenario picture that I made

change the scenario picture that I made

change the scenario picture that I made that shows the Gulf of st. Lawrence

that shows the Gulf of st. Lawrence

that shows the Gulf of st. Lawrence during harp seal season in February and

during harp seal season in February and

during harp seal season in February and March and even though we see a lot of

March and even though we see a lot of

March and even though we see a lot of ice in this photograph we see a lot of

ice in this photograph we see a lot of

ice in this photograph we see a lot of water as well and the ice that is there

water as well and the ice that is there

water as well and the ice that is there that remains is quite thin and the

that remains is quite thin and the

that remains is quite thin and the problem is that these animals need a

problem is that these animals need a

problem is that these animals need a stable platform in order to nurse from

stable platform in order to nurse from

stable platform in order to nurse from their moms as I mentioned they only need

their moms as I mentioned they only need

their moms as I mentioned they only need 14 days it’s very quick but if the ice

14 days it’s very quick but if the ice

14 days it’s very quick but if the ice is too thin they often get pitched

is too thin they often get pitched

is too thin they often get pitched into the water ahead of schedule and

into the water ahead of schedule and

into the water ahead of schedule and they die because they’re not ready and

they die because they’re not ready and

they die because they’re not ready and this photograph shows just that

this photograph shows just that

this photograph shows just that happening this was a pup at about age

happening this was a pup at about age

happening this was a pup at about age five days or maybe seven days old still

five days or maybe seven days old still

five days or maybe seven days old still has a little piece of the umbilical cord

has a little piece of the umbilical cord

has a little piece of the umbilical cord on its belly there the red thing and it

on its belly there the red thing and it

on its belly there the red thing and it had fallen through this very thin ice

had fallen through this very thin ice

had fallen through this very thin ice and the mother was sort of frantically

and the mother was sort of frantically

and the mother was sort of frantically trying to push it up to get it back to

trying to push it up to get it back to

trying to push it up to get it back to stable perches so that it could breathe

stable perches so that it could breathe

stable perches so that it could breathe and get back on the ice and that pup

and get back on the ice and that pup

and get back on the ice and that pup made it and I I saw other pups that did

made it and I I saw other pups that did

made it and I I saw other pups that did make it and I saw many that didn’t over

make it and I saw many that didn’t over

make it and I saw many that didn’t over this time but in the years since the

this time but in the years since the

this time but in the years since the situation has gotten worse I actually

situation has gotten worse I actually

situation has gotten worse I actually read that last year the pup mortality

read that last year the pup mortality

read that last year the pup mortality rate in this part of the world was 100%

rate in this part of the world was 100%

rate in this part of the world was 100% because these animals have no ice to to

because these animals have no ice to to

because these animals have no ice to to do their thing to have their pups into

do their thing to have their pups into

do their thing to have their pups into to wean I also several years ago read a

to wean I also several years ago read a

to wean I also several years ago read a scientific paper by two scientists from

scientific paper by two scientists from

scientific paper by two scientists from Dalhousie University in Canada and what

Dalhousie University in Canada and what

Dalhousie University in Canada and what they stated it I think it was published

they stated it I think it was published

they stated it I think it was published in Nature and they said that 90% of the

in Nature and they said that 90% of the

in Nature and they said that 90% of the big fish in the ocean have disappeared

big fish in the ocean have disappeared

big fish in the ocean have disappeared in the last 50 or 60 years post-world

in the last 50 or 60 years post-world

in the last 50 or 60 years post-world War two because of industrial commercial

War two because of industrial commercial

War two because of industrial commercial fishing and when I read that I said my

fishing and when I read that I said my

fishing and when I read that I said my god this is going to be headline news in

god this is going to be headline news in

god this is going to be headline news in every media outlet you know all the

every media outlet you know all the

every media outlet you know all the Sharks and billfish and tuna are gone

Sharks and billfish and tuna are gone

Sharks and billfish and tuna are gone ninety percent but it really didn’t get

ninety percent but it really didn’t get

ninety percent but it really didn’t get much coverage so we proposed the story

much coverage so we proposed the story

much coverage so we proposed the story and I I wanted this to be not like

and I I wanted this to be not like

and I I wanted this to be not like another underwater story I wanted it to

another underwater story I wanted it to

another underwater story I wanted it to be more like war photography I wanted

be more like war photography I wanted

be more like war photography I wanted readers to get a sense of what was

readers to get a sense of what was

readers to get a sense of what was happening to marine wildlife around our

happening to marine wildlife around our

happening to marine wildlife around our planet it’s not like other forms of

planet it’s not like other forms of

planet it’s not like other forms of Agriculture really and it’s quite

Agriculture really and it’s quite

Agriculture really and it’s quite different so I wanted to do that but one

different so I wanted to do that but one

different so I wanted to do that but one of the key components that we went in

of the key components that we went in

of the key components that we went in with first was what I called wildlife

with first was what I called wildlife

with first was what I called wildlife appreciation I wanted people to have

appreciation I wanted people to have

appreciation I wanted people to have some sense of the animals that they’re

some sense of the animals that they’re

some sense of the animals that they’re eating because I don’t think people

eating because I don’t think people

eating because I don’t think people really do get it you know we think of

really do get it you know we think of

really do get it you know we think of fish as seafood when really it’s

fish as seafood when really it’s

fish as seafood when really it’s wildlife you know here we see bluefin

wildlife you know here we see bluefin

wildlife you know here we see bluefin tuna which are incredible animals they

tuna which are incredible animals they

tuna which are incredible animals they really have no terrestrial counterparts

really have no terrestrial counterparts

really have no terrestrial counterparts you know these are animals that continue

you know these are animals that continue

you know these are animals that continue to grow their entire life if we weren’t

to grow their entire life if we weren’t

to grow their entire life if we weren’t so efficient at catching them they’d be

so efficient at catching them they’d be

so efficient at catching them they’d be 30 year old bluefin out there that weigh

30 year old bluefin out there that weigh

30 year old bluefin out there that weigh a ton but they don’t get anywhere near

a ton but they don’t get anywhere near

a ton but they don’t get anywhere near that big these days because we’re way

that big these days because we’re way

that big these days because we’re way too good at catching them these are

too good at catching them these are

too good at catching them these are animals that can generate heat they’re

animals that can generate heat they’re

animals that can generate heat they’re effectively warm-blooded fish and

effectively warm-blooded fish and

effectively warm-blooded fish and because of that they can swim

because of that they can swim

because of that they can swim practically from the equator to the

practically from the equator to the

practically from the equator to the poles and pursue to their prey they

poles and pursue to their prey they

poles and pursue to their prey they crisscross entire oceans you know Plato

crisscross entire oceans you know Plato

crisscross entire oceans you know Plato wrote about them and cavemen painted

wrote about them and cavemen painted

wrote about them and cavemen painted pictures and yet they’re on the brink of

pictures and yet they’re on the brink of

pictures and yet they’re on the brink of extinction today

extinction today

extinction today and that’s what I wanted people to know

and that’s what I wanted people to know

and that’s what I wanted people to know when they’re reading bluefin sushi this

when they’re reading bluefin sushi this

when they’re reading bluefin sushi this is the creature that they’re consuming

is the creature that they’re consuming

is the creature that they’re consuming this is a photo I made in the skee G

this is a photo I made in the skee G

this is a photo I made in the skee G fish market in Japan where I went after

fish market in Japan where I went after

fish market in Japan where I went after and and you know as I wandered around

and and you know as I wandered around

and and you know as I wandered around here this is an auction that happens

here this is an auction that happens

here this is an auction that happens every single day 365 days a year these

every single day 365 days a year these

every single day 365 days a year these tuna carcasses are lined up like

tuna carcasses are lined up like

tuna carcasses are lined up like cordwood and as I walked around here it

cordwood and as I walked around here it

cordwood and as I walked around here it occurred to me that you know the oceans

occurred to me that you know the oceans

occurred to me that you know the oceans not a grocery store we we can’t continue

not a grocery store we we can’t continue

not a grocery store we we can’t continue to take without expecting serious

to take without expecting serious

to take without expecting serious consequences as a result that’s what I

consequences as a result that’s what I

consequences as a result that’s what I wanted people to know I also wanted to

wanted people to know I also wanted to

wanted people to know I also wanted to show people how fish are caught because

show people how fish are caught because

show people how fish are caught because again I don’t know that everybody would

again I don’t know that everybody would

again I don’t know that everybody would would understand that and one of the

would understand that and one of the

would understand that and one of the most common methods of the world for

most common methods of the world for

most common methods of the world for fishing is something called a bottom

fishing is something called a bottom

fishing is something called a bottom trawler now this was a small one that I

trawler now this was a small one that I

trawler now this was a small one that I photographed that was being used to

photographed that was being used to

photographed that was being used to catch shrimp in Mexico but the principle

catch shrimp in Mexico but the principle

catch shrimp in Mexico but the principle is the same essentially it’s a net with

is the same essentially it’s a net with

is the same essentially it’s a net with two big steel doors on either end and

two big steel doors on either end and

two big steel doors on either end and this assembly is towed behind a boat in

this assembly is towed behind a boat in

this assembly is towed behind a boat in this case to catch shrimp but it could

this case to catch shrimp but it could

this case to catch shrimp but it could be for anything and there’s buoys on the

be for anything and there’s buoys on the

be for anything and there’s buoys on the top of the net and a lead line on the

top of the net and a lead line on the

top of the net and a lead line on the bottom and this sort of drags over the

bottom and this sort of drags over the

bottom and this sort of drags over the bottom and and catch your shrimp it’s

bottom and and catch your shrimp it’s

bottom and and catch your shrimp it’s very effective but as you can imagine

very effective but as you can imagine

very effective but as you can imagine it’s catching everything else in its

it’s catching everything else in its

it’s catching everything else in its path as well and it’s not only doing

path as well and it’s not only doing

path as well and it’s not only doing that but it’s effectively clear-cutting

that but it’s effectively clear-cutting

that but it’s effectively clear-cutting the ocean floor all that precious

the ocean floor all that precious

the ocean floor all that precious benthic community things that hold small

benthic community things that hold small

benthic community things that hold small animals and life other life that they’re

animals and life other life that they’re

animals and life other life that they’re not interested in and what happens is

not interested in and what happens is

not interested in and what happens is you get what’s known as bycatch this is

you get what’s known as bycatch this is

you get what’s known as bycatch this is a photo I made of the shrimp fisherman’s

a photo I made of the shrimp fisherman’s

a photo I made of the shrimp fisherman’s hands holding the shrimp that he caught

hands holding the shrimp that he caught

hands holding the shrimp that he caught after towing that net for one hour and

after towing that net for one hour and

after towing that net for one hour and he had about seven or eight shrimp and

he had about seven or eight shrimp and

he had about seven or eight shrimp and all those other animals on the deck of

all those other animals on the deck of

all those other animals on the deck of his boat in the background had to die in

his boat in the background had to die in

his boat in the background had to die in the process these are called bycatch

the process these are called bycatch

the process these are called bycatch they have no commercial value and

they have no commercial value and

they have no commercial value and they’ll be thrown back into the sea as

they’ll be thrown back into the sea as

they’ll be thrown back into the sea as trash so this is the true cost of a

trash so this is the true cost of a

trash so this is the true cost of a shrimp dinner you know a handful of

shrimp dinner you know a handful of

shrimp dinner you know a handful of shrimp and maybe ten pounds of other

shrimp and maybe ten pounds of other

shrimp and maybe ten pounds of other animals that have no value and to make

animals that have no value and to make

animals that have no value and to make that point even more visual I swam under

that point even more visual I swam under

that point even more visual I swam under the shrimp boat and as they were

the shrimp boat and as they were

the shrimp boat and as they were shoveling this stuff back into the sea

shoveling this stuff back into the sea

shoveling this stuff back into the sea you know this cascade of death that

you know this cascade of death that

you know this cascade of death that animals that were only alive an hour ago

animals that were only alive an hour ago

animals that were only alive an hour ago guitar fish and bat raised and little

guitar fish and bat raised and little

guitar fish and bat raised and little flounder that now we’re floating down to

flounder that now we’re floating down to

flounder that now we’re floating down to the bottom so those are the issues that

the bottom so those are the issues that

the bottom so those are the issues that I really wanted to address and I also

I really wanted to address and I also

I really wanted to address and I also wanted to spend time on sharks because

wanted to spend time on sharks because

wanted to spend time on sharks because this was a big part of the story as well

this was a big part of the story as well

this was a big part of the story as well you know today on planet Earth where

you know today on planet Earth where

you know today on planet Earth where we’re losing were killing over a hundred

we’re losing were killing over a hundred

we’re losing were killing over a hundred million sharks every single year mostly

million sharks every single year mostly

million sharks every single year mostly for their fins are

for their fins are

for their fins are part of it is for their fins as we see

part of it is for their fins as we see

part of it is for their fins as we see this Mako being finned right here but as

this Mako being finned right here but as

this Mako being finned right here but as I went out to photograph this component

I went out to photograph this component

I went out to photograph this component of the story I sort of wrestled with the

of the story I sort of wrestled with the

of the story I sort of wrestled with the notion of how do you make a photograph

notion of how do you make a photograph

notion of how do you make a photograph of a dead shark that will resonate with

of a dead shark that will resonate with

of a dead shark that will resonate with readers and I made a number of pictures

readers and I made a number of pictures

readers and I made a number of pictures and I thought you know there’s still

and I thought you know there’s still

and I thought you know there’s still going to be people who think well that’s

going to be people who think well that’s

going to be people who think well that’s okay they’re dangerous bad animals or

okay they’re dangerous bad animals or

okay they’re dangerous bad animals or something there’s still that perception

something there’s still that perception

something there’s still that perception but one day I jumped in the water and

but one day I jumped in the water and

but one day I jumped in the water and was able to make a photo like this this

was able to make a photo like this this

was able to make a photo like this this was a thresher shark that had just

was a thresher shark that had just

was a thresher shark that had just recently died and a gill net and it’s I

recently died and a gill net and it’s I

recently died and a gill net and it’s I was still quite visible and because it’s

was still quite visible and because it’s

was still quite visible and because it’s a pelagic animal that has these huge

a pelagic animal that has these huge

a pelagic animal that has these huge pectoral fins and as I began to compose

pectoral fins and as I began to compose

pectoral fins and as I began to compose the photograph it is struck me as a

the photograph it is struck me as a

the photograph it is struck me as a crucifixion and I thought that maybe

crucifixion and I thought that maybe

crucifixion and I thought that maybe this picture would would speak to that

this picture would would speak to that

this picture would would speak to that issue and get some empathy for these

issue and get some empathy for these

issue and get some empathy for these animals 100 million of them dying every

animals 100 million of them dying every

animals 100 million of them dying every year you can imagine removing a hundred

year you can imagine removing a hundred

year you can imagine removing a hundred million apex predators from any

million apex predators from any

million apex predators from any ecosystem and it’s going to collapse

ecosystem and it’s going to collapse

ecosystem and it’s going to collapse like a house of cards a few more stories

like a house of cards a few more stories

like a house of cards a few more stories that I wanted to share with you another

that I wanted to share with you another

that I wanted to share with you another about another species of charismatic

about another species of charismatic

about another species of charismatic megafauna the right whale and the story

megafauna the right whale and the story

megafauna the right whale and the story with right whales is essentially this

with right whales is essentially this

with right whales is essentially this that about a million years ago there was

that about a million years ago there was

that about a million years ago there was one species of right whale on the planet

one species of right whale on the planet

one species of right whale on the planet but as oceans became isolated when land

but as oceans became isolated when land

but as oceans became isolated when land masses moved around they separated and

masses moved around they separated and

masses moved around they separated and today we essentially have two major

today we essentially have two major

today we essentially have two major populations we have the southern right

populations we have the southern right

populations we have the southern right well that you see here and we have the

well that you see here and we have the

well that you see here and we have the North Atlantic right whale that you see

North Atlantic right whale that you see

North Atlantic right whale that you see here now the North Atlantic right whale

here now the North Atlantic right whale

here now the North Atlantic right whale is the animal that lives up and down the

is the animal that lives up and down the

is the animal that lives up and down the east coast of the United States from

east coast of the United States from

east coast of the United States from abed Bay of Fundy Canada down to Florida

abed Bay of Fundy Canada down to Florida

abed Bay of Fundy Canada down to Florida both species the north and the south

both species the north and the south

both species the north and the south were hunted to the brink of extinction

were hunted to the brink of extinction

were hunted to the brink of extinction by the early whalers but the southern

by the early whalers but the southern

by the early whalers but the southern right whale has rebounded much better

right whale has rebounded much better

right whale has rebounded much better their populations are doing better

their populations are doing better

their populations are doing better because they’re located further away

because they’re located further away

because they’re located further away from human activity there in places like

from human activity there in places like

from human activity there in places like South Africa and Patagonia but the North

South Africa and Patagonia but the North

South Africa and Patagonia but the North Atlantic right whale the mom and calf

Atlantic right whale the mom and calf

Atlantic right whale the mom and calf that you see here has the dubious

that you see here has the dubious

that you see here has the dubious distinction of being the most endangered

distinction of being the most endangered

distinction of being the most endangered whale on the planet and the reason is

whale on the planet and the reason is

whale on the planet and the reason is because they are urban whales they live

because they are urban whales they live

because they are urban whales they live along this this coastline where it’s

along this this coastline where it’s

along this this coastline where it’s highly mechanized and industrialized and

highly mechanized and industrialized and

highly mechanized and industrialized and they suffer from many ills they suffer

they suffer from many ills they suffer

they suffer from many ills they suffer from pollution which seems to be

from pollution which seems to be

from pollution which seems to be affecting their reproduction they suffer

affecting their reproduction they suffer

affecting their reproduction they suffer from being entangled in fishing gear

from being entangled in fishing gear

from being entangled in fishing gear things like lobster traps and crab pots

things like lobster traps and crab pots

things like lobster traps and crab pots which often will drown them and they get

which often will drown them and they get

which often will drown them and they get struck by ships as well which is what

struck by ships as well which is what

struck by ships as well which is what happened to this animal that I

happened to this animal that I

happened to this animal that I photographed in Nova Scotia ship strikes

photographed in Nova Scotia ship strikes

photographed in Nova Scotia ship strikes kill a few animals in

kill a few animals in

kill a few animals in inadvertently again every year and it’s

inadvertently again every year and it’s

inadvertently again every year and it’s been said if we can just save to write

been said if we can just save to write

been said if we can just save to write Wells a year they will increase their

Wells a year they will increase their

Wells a year they will increase their population but so far we haven’t been

population but so far we haven’t been

population but so far we haven’t been very successful there’s some progress on

very successful there’s some progress on

very successful there’s some progress on this front but there’s still way way

this front but there’s still way way

this front but there’s still way way behind and I wanted to close this

behind and I wanted to close this

behind and I wanted to close this evening with a story of hope a story

evening with a story of hope a story

evening with a story of hope a story about marine reserves because right now

about marine reserves because right now

about marine reserves because right now on our planet

on our planet

on our planet although 98% of the planet is the

although 98% of the planet is the

although 98% of the planet is the biosphere and makes up so much of what

biosphere and makes up so much of what

biosphere and makes up so much of what we need less than a fraction of 1% is

we need less than a fraction of 1% is

we need less than a fraction of 1% is actually protected so we need to protect

actually protected so we need to protect

actually protected so we need to protect more places on earth if we want to have

more places on earth if we want to have

more places on earth if we want to have a healthy planet so I went to the

a healthy planet so I went to the

a healthy planet so I went to the country of New Zealand which is a very

country of New Zealand which is a very

country of New Zealand which is a very progressive country in terms of

progressive country in terms of

progressive country in terms of conservation and particularly with

conservation and particularly with

conservation and particularly with protecting their EEZ their exclusive

protecting their EEZ their exclusive

protecting their EEZ their exclusive economic zone their oceans and I really

economic zone their oceans and I really

economic zone their oceans and I really wanted the story to be about just a few

wanted the story to be about just a few

wanted the story to be about just a few things I wanted it to be about abundance

things I wanted it to be about abundance

things I wanted it to be about abundance diversity and resilience I wanted to

diversity and resilience I wanted to

diversity and resilience I wanted to show that if you protect these places

show that if you protect these places

show that if you protect these places they will come back and when I first

they will come back and when I first

they will come back and when I first arrived in New Zealand I met with the

arrived in New Zealand I met with the

arrived in New Zealand I met with the father of MPAs the father of marine

father of MPAs the father of marine

father of MPAs the father of marine protected areas bill Ballantine who was

protected areas bill Ballantine who was

protected areas bill Ballantine who was British but moved early in his career to

British but moved early in his career to

British but moved early in his career to New Zealand and he’s a mollusc scientist

New Zealand and he’s a mollusc scientist

New Zealand and he’s a mollusc scientist and on any day that the weather

and on any day that the weather

and on any day that the weather cooperates you can find him down at the

cooperates you can find him down at the

cooperates you can find him down at the beach you doing his data collection here

beach you doing his data collection here

beach you doing his data collection here on the on the rocks

on the on the rocks

on the on the rocks but what Valentine told me was that in

but what Valentine told me was that in

but what Valentine told me was that in 1972 he got the very first MPA created a

1972 he got the very first MPA created a

1972 he got the very first MPA created a place called Goat Island right here

place called Goat Island right here

place called Goat Island right here which is not really an island it’s just

which is not really an island it’s just

which is not really an island it’s just a little rock off the coast but at that

a little rock off the coast but at that

a little rock off the coast but at that time he had to fight everyone to get

time he had to fight everyone to get

time he had to fight everyone to get that done he had to fight commercial

that done he had to fight commercial

that done he had to fight commercial fishermen he had a fight sport fishermen

fishermen he had a fight sport fishermen

fishermen he had a fight sport fishermen who would go there to fish with rod and

who would go there to fish with rod and

who would go there to fish with rod and reel and he had to fight even fellow

reel and he had to fight even fellow

reel and he had to fight even fellow scientists who were going there to

scientists who were going there to

scientists who were going there to collect specimens but somehow he got it

collect specimens but somehow he got it

collect specimens but somehow he got it done and he said Brian what I expected

done and he said Brian what I expected

done and he said Brian what I expected for what we expected scientist was that

for what we expected scientist was that

for what we expected scientist was that certain things would happen for example

certain things would happen for example

certain things would happen for example he expected that certain species of fish

he expected that certain species of fish

he expected that certain species of fish like the New Zealand snapper that had

like the New Zealand snapper that had

like the New Zealand snapper that had been fished to the brink of extinction

been fished to the brink of extinction

been fished to the brink of extinction would return and they did here we see

would return and they did here we see

would return and they did here we see some right here they came back in big

some right here they came back in big

some right here they came back in big numbers and in size but he said we

numbers and in size but he said we

numbers and in size but he said we couldn’t predict that other things would

couldn’t predict that other things would

couldn’t predict that other things would happen the fact that New Zealand snapper

happen the fact that New Zealand snapper

happen the fact that New Zealand snapper eat sea urchins well when the fish were

eat sea urchins well when the fish were

eat sea urchins well when the fish were all gone the urchins ran amok and

all gone the urchins ran amok and

all gone the urchins ran amok and urgence eat kelp so all you ever saw in

urgence eat kelp so all you ever saw in

urgence eat kelp so all you ever saw in shallow water in this part of the world

shallow water in this part of the world

shallow water in this part of the world was what they called urgent Barrens just

was what they called urgent Barrens just

was what they called urgent Barrens just acres and acres of sea urchins but when

acres and acres of sea urchins but when

acres and acres of sea urchins but when the fish returned

the fish returned

the fish returned started predating on on sea urchins as

started predating on on sea urchins as

started predating on on sea urchins as we see this one eating – right here lo

we see this one eating – right here lo

we see this one eating – right here lo and behold you had kelp forests emerge

and behold you had kelp forests emerge

and behold you had kelp forests emerge in shallow water so in 20 or 30 feet of

in shallow water so in 20 or 30 feet of

in shallow water so in 20 or 30 feet of water today in this place you see you

water today in this place you see you

water today in this place you see you know this lush garden of kelp and this

know this lush garden of kelp and this

know this lush garden of kelp and this is the way I can’t repeat enough that

is the way I can’t repeat enough that

is the way I can’t repeat enough that the ocean probably looked 100 or 2 years

the ocean probably looked 100 or 2 years

the ocean probably looked 100 or 2 years ago but nobody’s around to tell us about

ago but nobody’s around to tell us about

ago but nobody’s around to tell us about it we’ve lost that baseline so the

it we’ve lost that baseline so the

it we’ve lost that baseline so the message is you know if we can protect

message is you know if we can protect

message is you know if we can protect places like this they will come back I

places like this they will come back I

places like this they will come back I worked in other parts of New Zealand on

worked in other parts of New Zealand on

worked in other parts of New Zealand on this story as well like fjord land which

this story as well like fjord land which

this story as well like fjord land which is this sort of shadowy lord of the

is this sort of shadowy lord of the

is this sort of shadowy lord of the rings’ environment with mountains and

rings’ environment with mountains and

rings’ environment with mountains and tons of fresh water that pours into the

tons of fresh water that pours into the

tons of fresh water that pours into the ocean every day this is the Camelot

ocean every day this is the Camelot

ocean every day this is the Camelot River an aerial picture that I made and

River an aerial picture that I made and

River an aerial picture that I made and the water that comes out of the

the water that comes out of the

the water that comes out of the mountains this fresh water is 10 and

mountains this fresh water is 10 and

mountains this fresh water is 10 and stained it’s very dark matter and it

stained it’s very dark matter and it

stained it’s very dark matter and it creates a permanent layer of fresh water

creates a permanent layer of fresh water

creates a permanent layer of fresh water that sits on the on the ocean and blocks

that sits on the on the ocean and blocks

that sits on the on the ocean and blocks out the Sun it’s about 25 feet thick and

out the Sun it’s about 25 feet thick and

out the Sun it’s about 25 feet thick and it blocks out most of the Sun so you get

it blocks out most of the Sun so you get

it blocks out most of the Sun so you get this emergence of deepwater animals like

this emergence of deepwater animals like

this emergence of deepwater animals like black coral that actually look white

black coral that actually look white

black coral that actually look white underwater but these are animals that

underwater but these are animals that

underwater but these are animals that would normally live in very deep water

would normally live in very deep water

would normally live in very deep water but they’re tricked effectively into

but they’re tricked effectively into

but they’re tricked effectively into thinking that it’s shallow so this

thinking that it’s shallow so this

thinking that it’s shallow so this picture was made in about 30 feet of

picture was made in about 30 feet of

picture was made in about 30 feet of water just looking straight up because

water just looking straight up because

water just looking straight up because there’s green water where it’s very

there’s green water where it’s very

there’s green water where it’s very clear once you get underneath the fresh

clear once you get underneath the fresh

clear once you get underneath the fresh water other animals in this place like

water other animals in this place like

water other animals in this place like sea pens a type of coral these are in

sea pens a type of coral these are in

sea pens a type of coral these are in Jing’s that look like old quill pens

Jing’s that look like old quill pens

Jing’s that look like old quill pens that can actually move around on the

that can actually move around on the

that can actually move around on the bottom this was a picture made in about

bottom this was a picture made in about

bottom this was a picture made in about 70 feet during midday but there’s no

70 feet during midday but there’s no

70 feet during midday but there’s no ambient light when you’re looking

ambient light when you’re looking

ambient light when you’re looking horizontally a little blue cod just sort

horizontally a little blue cod just sort

horizontally a little blue cod just sort of swam in for a dash of blue color here

of swam in for a dash of blue color here

of swam in for a dash of blue color here into the picture but you know everywhere

into the picture but you know everywhere

into the picture but you know everywhere I looked in New Zealand in these marine

I looked in New Zealand in these marine

I looked in New Zealand in these marine reserves I saw a healthy ecosystems you

reserves I saw a healthy ecosystems you

reserves I saw a healthy ecosystems you know I played peekaboo with this little

know I played peekaboo with this little

know I played peekaboo with this little New Zealand fur seal pup that had just

New Zealand fur seal pup that had just

New Zealand fur seal pup that had just been born a few days ago here in the

been born a few days ago here in the

been born a few days ago here in the kelp and I moved to the north of New

kelp and I moved to the north of New

kelp and I moved to the north of New Zealand where the water is bluer and a

Zealand where the water is bluer and a

Zealand where the water is bluer and a bit warmer and found animals like this

bit warmer and found animals like this

bit warmer and found animals like this this giant stingray a short-tail

this giant stingray a short-tail

this giant stingray a short-tail stingray swimming through underwater

stingray swimming through underwater

stingray swimming through underwater canyons animals like this tiny

canyons animals like this tiny

canyons animals like this tiny nudibranch you know crawling over

nudibranch you know crawling over

nudibranch you know crawling over encrusting sponge every level it seemed

encrusting sponge every level it seemed

encrusting sponge every level it seemed to be working in harmony and these were

to be working in harmony and these were

to be working in harmony and these were places that had been fish but now

places that had been fish but now

places that had been fish but now protected or coming back an animal

protected or coming back an animal

protected or coming back an animal critical to the habitat like the leather

critical to the habitat like the leather

critical to the habitat like the leather jacket which grazes on the bottom and

jacket which grazes on the bottom and

jacket which grazes on the bottom and allow

allow

allow new life to take hold and a picture that

new life to take hold and a picture that

new life to take hold and a picture that I wanted to make on a day when it was

I wanted to make on a day when it was

I wanted to make on a day when it was very stormy and the captain didn’t want

very stormy and the captain didn’t want

very stormy and the captain didn’t want to go out but I had this picture in mind

to go out but I had this picture in mind

to go out but I had this picture in mind of what I call the primal ocean I wanted

of what I call the primal ocean I wanted

of what I call the primal ocean I wanted to show this resilience and abundance so

to show this resilience and abundance so

to show this resilience and abundance so we went out and I sort of lay in the

we went out and I sort of lay in the

we went out and I sort of lay in the mouth of this cavern in a place called

mouth of this cavern in a place called

mouth of this cavern in a place called the Poor Knights Island that had only

the Poor Knights Island that had only

the Poor Knights Island that had only been protected for since the 1980s I

been protected for since the 1980s I

been protected for since the 1980s I guess or so and the day before I had tea

guess or so and the day before I had tea

guess or so and the day before I had tea with an old-time diver a guy named Wade

with an old-time diver a guy named Wade

with an old-time diver a guy named Wade doke who had been diving here in the

doke who had been diving here in the

doke who had been diving here in the 1950s and 60s and he said you know Brian

1950s and 60s and he said you know Brian

1950s and 60s and he said you know Brian poor nights island is better today in

poor nights island is better today in

poor nights island is better today in terms of diving in marine life than it

terms of diving in marine life than it

terms of diving in marine life than it was in the 1950s and I couldn’t think of

was in the 1950s and I couldn’t think of

was in the 1950s and I couldn’t think of another place in the world where that

another place in the world where that

another place in the world where that was the case everywhere I go you here

was the case everywhere I go you here

was the case everywhere I go you here should have been here five years ago you

should have been here five years ago you

should have been here five years ago you know should have been here ten years ago

know should have been here ten years ago

know should have been here ten years ago but this place was better today because

but this place was better today because

but this place was better today because of protection it had restored it had

of protection it had restored it had

of protection it had restored it had come back so I think the message is

come back so I think the message is

come back so I think the message is clear you know that the ocean and nature

clear you know that the ocean and nature

clear you know that the ocean and nature is resilient and tolerant to a point but

is resilient and tolerant to a point but

is resilient and tolerant to a point but we must listen we must see and we must

we must listen we must see and we must

we must listen we must see and we must act as we step back in closing and take

act as we step back in closing and take

act as we step back in closing and take another look at our planet from a

another look at our planet from a

another look at our planet from a distance we now know you know about all

distance we now know you know about all

distance we now know you know about all these things that are happening down

these things that are happening down

these things that are happening down there in the blue parts all those

there in the blue parts all those

there in the blue parts all those beautiful ocean parts and so much more

beautiful ocean parts and so much more

beautiful ocean parts and so much more things that we don’t even begin to

things that we don’t even begin to

things that we don’t even begin to understand in the last part of my book

understand in the last part of my book

understand in the last part of my book ocean soul the very last paragraph I

ocean soul the very last paragraph I

ocean soul the very last paragraph I write the following we are all connected

write the following we are all connected

write the following we are all connected to the sea and tied to her fate the

to the sea and tied to her fate the

to the sea and tied to her fate the wounds suffered by Earth’s oceans are

wounds suffered by Earth’s oceans are

wounds suffered by Earth’s oceans are not fatal

not fatal

not fatal we can still turn the tide of past harm

we can still turn the tide of past harm

we can still turn the tide of past harm into the groundswell of future

into the groundswell of future

into the groundswell of future protection scientists have described the

protection scientists have described the

protection scientists have described the heart of the sea images reveal her soul

heart of the sea images reveal her soul

heart of the sea images reveal her soul with both as our guides we can serve as

with both as our guides we can serve as

with both as our guides we can serve as vigilant guardians of the sea and she

vigilant guardians of the sea and she

vigilant guardians of the sea and she will again thrive I remain hopeful that

will again thrive I remain hopeful that

will again thrive I remain hopeful that her siren song will echo loud and clear

her siren song will echo loud and clear

her siren song will echo loud and clear and seduce men and women of future

and seduce men and women of future

and seduce men and women of future generations to leave the safety of the

generations to leave the safety of the

generations to leave the safety of the water’s edge and explore so thank you

water’s edge and explore so thank you

water’s edge and explore so thank you very much