Impact

BEAUTY HELPS SAVE OCEAN LIFE NOW

Christoph Roher taking a laser photogrammetry photo of a male whale shark’s claspers, to determine size at maturity, by Simon Pierce.

by Simon Pierce. Christoph Roher taking a laser photogrammetry photo of a male whale shark’s claspers, to determine size at maturity.

Two photographers leverage the ocean’s beauty to help save the life that lives within it. Check out their art and their missions.

SIMON PIERCE

While many people are terrified of sharks, marine biologist and photographer, Simon Pierce, has dedicated his life to promoting their beauty and saving them.

Pierce is on a mission to save whale sharks, the largest known fish species on Earth. They are in danger of extinction due to overfishing, accidental catches, and ship strikes.

Scuba diving since college, where he earned a BS in ecology and a PhD in marine biology, Pierce has always loved the ocean.

Today, Pierce co-founded a global whale shark research project at the Marine Megafauna Foundation, where he serves as Principal Scientist.

A study that Pierce collaborated on, “Laser photogrammetry improves size and demographic estimates for whale sharks,” was recently published in scientific journal, PeerJ. In this study, the scientists measured whale sharks with laser photogrammetry, in order to compare the size and sex of these sharks in their different aggregations around the world.

If you love Pierce’s photos, and the beautiful work he is doing, check out his website. There’s also a global database for whale shark sightings, where you can upload your own photos!

RICHARD SALAS

The world always needs more people willing to help save its oceans, and not just scientists, but artists, as well.

Underwater photographer and activist, Richard Salas, highlights the beauty of ocean creatures, while raising awareness of their plight.

Salas is currently crowdfunding Luminous Sea, the last of a trilogy of underwater photo books that are helping both fund and inspire change.

His first book, Sea of Light, focuses on California’s Channel Islands. The second, Blue Visions, explores the equatorial islands of Mexico. Luminous Sea showcases marine wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.

From his beautiful close-ups of a sea turtle’s shell, to the translucent body of a nudibranch, to the strong tentacles of an octopus, we are inspired to save these magnificent creatures.

Salas donates 50% of all book proceeds to The Ocean Foundation, which supports international organizations that conserve ocean environments.

You can donate here. Check out more of Salas’ photography on his website and Facebook page.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: by Simon Pierce. Christoph Roher taking a laser photogrammetry photo of a male whale shark’s claspers, to determine size at maturity.
Image: by Simon Pierce. Whale Sharks in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
Image: by Simon Pierce. Underwater series.
Image: by Simon Pierce. Whale Sharks in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
Image: by Simon Pierce. Big mouth - whale shark and swimmer.
Image: by Richard Salas. Courtesy of Sea of Light Trilogy.
Image: by Richard Salas. Courtesy of Sea of Light Trilogy.
Image: by Richard Salas. Courtesy of Sea of Light Trilogy.
Image: by Richard Salas. Whale - Shark.
Image: by Richard Salas. Courtesy of Sea of Light Trilogy.
Image: by Simon Pierce. Whale Sharks in Isla Mujeres.
Image: by Richard Salas. Courtesy of Sea of Light Trilogy.
Image: by BN App - Download now!
Image: by Simon Pierce. Whale Shark.