Brian Skerry reveals ocean's glory -- and horror

TL;DR

A National Geographic photographer shares his experiences capturing the beauty and environmental issues of the ocean, from the harp seal hunt to the decline of fish populations and the need for marine conservation.

Transcript

I would like to share with you this morning some stories about the ocean through my work as a still photographer for National Geographic magazine. I guess I became an underwater photographer and a photojournalist because I fell in love with the sea as a child. And I wanted to tell stories about all the amazing things I was seeing underwater, incred... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌊 The photographer became an underwater photographer and photojournalist because they fell in love with the sea as a child and wanted to tell stories about the amazing things they saw underwater.
• 🌍 The photographer has been compelled to turn their camera towards the terrible things they are seeing underwater, such as the hunting of harp seals and the loss of sea ice due to global warming.
• 📷 The photographer's first story for National Geographic was about harp seals, which highlighted the environmental issues they face, including being hunted and the loss of sea ice.
• 🐟 The photographer then proposed a story on the global fish crisis, revealing that 90% of big fish have disappeared in the last 50-60 years due to overfishing.
• 🍣 The photographer wanted readers to have an appreciation for the ocean animals they consume, such as bluefin tuna, as they are unique and disappearing due to overfishing.
• 🦈 The photographer also focused on the shark fishing industry, which kills over 100 million sharks every year, and emphasized the need for shark conservation.
• 🐢 The photographer documented the decline of leatherback sea turtles, which are critically endangered due to anthropogenic stresses like getting caught in fishing gear.
• 🐋 The photographer highlighted the plight of right whales, which have been hunted to the brink of extinction and face threats from urbanization and ship strikes.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has global warming affected the harp seal population?

Global warming has led to the loss of sea ice, which is essential for the survival of harp seal pups as they need a stable platform to nurse from their mothers. Without enough ice, many pups fall into the ocean and die, leading to a high pup mortality rate in certain areas.

Q: What are some of the major reasons for the decline in fish populations?

The decline in fish populations can be attributed to various factors, including overfishing, unsustainable fishing methods like bottom trawling, and habitat destruction. Additionally, the growth and efficiency of the fishing industry have contributed to the collapse of fish stocks.

Q: How does the photographer aim to change people's perception of sharks?

The photographer believes that portraying sharks as more than just monsters is crucial. Through his photographs, he wants to showcase the beauty and uniqueness of these apex predators, emphasizing the need for shark conservation and raising awareness about their decreasing populations due to overfishing.

Q: What is the photographer's perspective on marine reserves?

The photographer believes that marine reserves offer hope for the future of ocean conservation. He showcases examples from New Zealand where protected areas have seen the return of various species, restoration of natural equilibrium, and thriving marine ecosystems compared to regions without such protection.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The photographer shares his journey of capturing stories about the ocean, from incredible wildlife to environmental issues.

• He highlights the harp seal hunt, where hundreds of thousands of seals are killed each year, and the loss of sea ice due to global warming, affecting the survival of seal pups.

• He also focuses on the global fish crisis, with 90% of big fish disappearing in the past 50-60 years, and highlights the unsustainable fishing methods and impact on marine ecosystems.