SEA 2007 Conservation Entries

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

SEA 2007 MARINE CONSERVATION CLASS

Underwater photographers have a responsibility to educate other divers and non-divers about issues related to the marine environment. We have first hand experience with those issues and the means to illustrate them to those who have limited or no underwater experience. This year NCUPS is doing our part in this educational effort by offering a Marine Conservation category. The entries in this class illustrate marine conservation issues; whether an endangered or rare species or environment, an illustration of a non-sustainable fishery; or something more positive such as re-growth of an environment, return of an endangered species, or an illustration of the benefits of artificial reefs. Each of the entrants was asked to supply a description of the marine conservation issue conveyed in their entry.

Being an educational society NCUPS wanted to not only provide exposure on marine conservation issues by displaying all of the entries and the winners of the marine conservation calss but to also use the funds received to help further education on marine conservation issues. Thus, we are donating all the entry fees generated by the marine conservation class to Camp Sea Lab, a local marine science camp for youth ages 8-18. Campers investigate the oceans using cutting edge technology and working alongside many of the most talented marine scientists and coastal managers in the world. In the process, campers gain a greater appreciation for what science can teach them about our marine environment, and the importance of being good stewards for the oceans.

FIRST PLACE "Olive Ridley Netted 2: Shot off the coast of Orissa on the East Coast of India." Another example of the same situation. Once they are trapped, they drown and eventually rot away. Something needs to be done and I have shown these images to government bodies who have promised action against these trawlers and their bosses. (In the Wide Angle category the beauty of these turtles during mating is captured.) But at the rate we are going there will soon be no more turtles to mate. Sumer Verma	SECOND PLACE "The Last Swim" A view from inside a fisherman's boat net near Bangka, Indonesia. I was sad to see the tuna swimming frantically to certain death. People talk about the lack of expression on fish's faces but to me, this picture shows the fear in their eyes. Jose Alejandro Alvarez	THIRD PLACE "Hook Line and Sinker: Shot in the Lakshadweep Islands of the West Coast of India." Due to lack of proper coast guard supervision, mainland trawling and long line fishing vessels have been entering these pristine waters with one thing on their minds…sharks! Here is the tragic result. A beautiful grey reef shark finds itself helpless and awaits its fate. Unacceptable to divers and nature lovers I hope this image helps people to see the atrocities we are committing in the name of greed! Sumer Verma
Late afternoon fishing boats had pulled in to dock and unload in Al Fujayrah, United Arab Emirates. Dhows are not industrial behemoths and carry an air of old world charm and romance. As I enjoyed the cool view and gentle breeze softening the heat of the day, my eye suddenly fastened on what was on the deck, and my heart dropped. My thought was, today's catch -- two young sharks. Tomorrow's, one. The next day, none left. Gloria Freund	"The Gift that Keeps on Killing" This is an image of a net removed from a "biosphere reserve" which is part of the Revillagigedos Archipelago, Mexico.	"Oil Rig Abundance" In California, there is much debate about converting 27 oil rigs in federal and state waters into artificial reefs when they are ready to be decommissioned. A similar program in the Gulf Coast states has proven successful and it has yet to be decided if California will follow suit. This image illustrates the rich habitat of the platform structures teeming with life. Melissa Boag
"Olive Ridley Netted 1: Shot off the coast of Orissa on the East Coast of India." A real tragedy that plays out every year, thousands of Olive Ridley Turtles are caught as bi-catch by trawlers prowling these waters. More than 50,000 turtles congregate to mate here and are helpless as trawlers ignore the Supreme Court's verdict to trawl outside demarcated zones. Unchecked they kill more than 10,000 turtles a year! Sumer Verma	"Pack of Octopus" The Lembeh Strait of Indonesia's coastal industrial town Bitung's busy port, crowded fishing villages all along the strait and relentless boat traffic cause the bottom to look like a rubbish tip and consists of black sand with some small coral, all polluted with bottles, boxes, shoes and tins. But the rubbish has been converted into habitats thanks to the ingenuity of little creatures. Levent Konuk	"Maldives Wreck" This image was taken in the Maldives off a small freighter. There is an abundance of old freighters and boats in the Maldives. This one was taken to an area specifically to create an artificial reef. Huge schools of fish have taken up residence on this wreck. It has also given the local area a needed dive site to help draw tourists to the local island. Robbie Turner
"Home" Although most of man's waste products have great potential to harm the environment, they can on occasion do the opposite. Industrious marine creatures often take advantage of our carelessness by transforming refuse into refuge. For instance, a discarded drinking straw is the perfect home for this yellowface pikeblenny. In the sea, it can be said that "One man's trash is another fish's treasure." Keri Wilk	"Bonaire Hilma Hooker Mast" This image was taken on the Hilma Hooker wreck in Bonaire. Bonaire has created many artificial reefs to help increase habitats for fish and coral. The Hooker was placed more than 20-years-ago and it has beautiful sponges, fans and sea whips growing on her. Many large fish are now found there. This shows that artificial reefs are viable habitats. Robbie Turner	"Great Grouper Release" In April, 2007 at the resort "Dive 7000" in Anilao, Philippines, five fish were released to the wild that had been destined for the aquarium trade. Lynn Funkhouser, an underwater photographer and an avid supporter of the underwater environment initiated the release. The five groupers had been ready to ship to the US for the aquarium trade. Instead, Lynn arranged for their shipment from Manila and their release in Anilao, their native habitat, in a personal effort to restock the area with native species. The grouper shown, photographed right off-shore at the resort, was NOT one of the released fish, but represents the same species. Patti Baugh
"Maldives Winch" This image was taken in the Maldives of a large winch from a freighter. The coral has grown on and all around the winch. It is providing extra structure for the corals and makes a beautiful artificial reef. The Maldives is selectively creating these types of reefs to eliminate waste on the land and create habitats to encourage more reef growth. Robbie Turner	"Caught in a Net" Taken in Komodo, Indonesia, nets, also nicknamed "walls of death" indiscriminately kill anything in its path including sharks, rays and dolphins, sea birds and turtles. This method of fishing is also wasteful. It is estimated that 40-50% of each catch is lost when the net is hauled in, and it is estimated that each year up to 85,000 marine mammals die, including 70,000 dolphins and 14,000 seals due to nets. Bob Spiers	"Playing With Plastic" Taken in the Sea of Cortez at Los Islotes. Plastic accounts for 50% or more of marine litter. Plastic has been found in the stomachs of dolphins, whales and turtles. This sea lion has a scar around her neck, more than likely she encountered some type of human net or line. Bob Spiers

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