Shark Tails

Zoologist, Filmmaker, Presenter. Director at www.lamave.org. All round underwater dreamer and occasional #ecobitch United Kingdom/Philippines

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Baby Grace

We found her! Two years ago I photographed a young girl on the remote island of Cawili in the Philippines (with the blue goggles and the pearl earring). It's one of my favourite portraits. For me, she encapsulates the role the ocean plays in the lives of so many islanders here in the Philippines. This April I returned to Cawili on a research expedition with LAMAVE and WWF-Philippines. I printed a copy of the photo, in the hope I would have the chance to give it to her. I'm pleased to say we found her. Baby Grace is now 14 and doing well. It was such a joy to be able to share with her a photo that I cherish so much. I am forever grateful for the moments people allow me to capture with my lens and when I can I love to give them those moments back. 

#philippines #culture #community#portaitphotography #photostory#islandlife #adventure #LAMAVE#wwfph

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Adventurous and passionate about marine conservation?

Want to gain valuable research skills and contribute to whale shark conservation? Then LAMAVE needs you!

We have limited places to join our #whaleshark research team in Palawan, Philippines for 3.5 months. You'll be trained in research methods and the data you collect will contribute to national and international conservation efforts for this endangered species.

Full detail and how to apply:

www.lamave.org/volunteer

And select "Palawan Whale Shark Project"

Not you? Share the love and tag someone you think would love to do this with. 💙

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We (Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines) are looking for a Marketing Communication Specialist. Full details and how to apply: https://www.lamave.org/positions-open

The position involves working with me! It's a role that has huge scope to be creative - using social media and digital marketing to contribute to marine conservation efforts in the Philippines. 

Application deadline is February 20, 2019

xo

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Our latest research on whale sharks is out! The study by @lamaveproject and @wwfphilippines found that Donsol attracts the Philippines' largest whale sharks, an interesting insight into the life of the world's largest fish, as we still know very little about the whereabouts and behaviour of mature whale sharks. In 2010 researchers discovered two of the smallest whale sharks ever recorded in neighbouring waters, highlighting further the significance of the area. The study also confirmed that Donsol hosts the largest known aggregation of whale sharks in Southeast Asia, with 44% of the current known population of whale sharks in the Philippines identified in its waters (correct as of April 2017). This is the first publication describing the population dynamics of whale sharks in this area and is the longest data set in the country. For me this is a very special milestone as I started my journey in the Philippines as a volunteer researcher for @wwfphilippines before joining @lamaveproject. To publish a paper together on the first whale shark site I ever studied is an amazing feeling and I feel lucky to be part of this team. Congrats to my fellow authors who did most of the hard work @eomcc @gonzo_araujo @deybiddavid @a.ponzo @jensanimalinstincts See the link in my bio for the full story and access to the publication. 🔝 📷By the talented @stevedeneef

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Stormy skies Photographing lightning is not easy, but I eventually managed to capture this shot of a storm that rolled into Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park during #ExpeditionShark4 with @lamaveproject Theres nothing like a storm at sea to remind you how powerful and amazing mother nature is.💜 #storm #stormchaser #philippines #instadaily #LAMAVE #mothernature #naturephotography #stormyskies #adventure #explore https://www.instagram.com/p/BmAoXdyD98n/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5hadkpqwei2u

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Stormy skies Photographing lightning is not easy, but I eventually managed to capture this shot of a storm that rolled into Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park during #ExpeditionShark4 with @lamaveproject Theres nothing like a storm at sea to remind you how powerful and amazing mother nature is.💜 #storm #stormchaser #philippines #instadaily #LAMAVE #mothernature #naturephotography #stormyskies #adventure #explore https://www.instagram.com/p/BmAoXdyD98n/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1af4mx3xwgpmf

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Expedition Shark news is out! This is the tagging team en route back to the mother ship after tagging the biggest tiger shark in the Philippines yet. And she was a beauty, a 3.5meter animal. The second photograph shows her swimming away after being fitted with a satellite and acoustic tag. For the full news story check the link in @lamaveproject bio. It's always a privilege to be part of this team which is a collaboration between @lamaveproject and @lifeintubbataha. 📷Me and @a.ponzo for @lamaveproject #ExpeditionShark #ExpeditionShark4 #philippines #research #conservation #sharks #sharktails #tagging #tigersharks #marineconservation

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I'm begining to go through @lamaveproject #ExpeditionShark4 photos which means they'll be out on the #LAMAVE platforms soon. 😎 Photographing #LAMAVEs work means I'm hardly ever in front of the camera anymore. Thanks to @a.ponzo for this one, which is about the only photo of me on expedition. I was on my way to catch up with the rangers who live on the ranger station, located on a sandbank 150km from the Philippine mainland, in the middle of the #SuluSea Thanks to @bybloodred for keeping my gear dry and my skin protected, I always feel so lucky that @lamaveproject is supported by such a awesome and generous brand. 😍😎 For updates on our shark research expedition to #TubbatahaReefs natural Park be sure to follow @lamaveproject #wilderness #philippines #research #sharks #sharkresearch #conservation #marineconservation #TubbatahaReefs #TRNP #LAMAVEResearchInstitute

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I'm begining to go through @lamaveproject #ExpeditionShark4 photos which means they'll be out on the #LAMAVE platforms soon. 😎 Photographing #LAMAVEs work means I'm hardly ever in front of the camera anymore. Thanks to @a.ponzo for this one, which is about the only photo of me on expedition. I was on my way to catch up with the rangers who live on the ranger station, located on a sandbank 150km from the Philippine mainland, in the middle of the #SuluSea Thanks to @bybloodred for keeping my gear dry and my skin protected, I always feel so lucky that @lamaveproject is supported by such a awesome and generous brand. 😍😎 For updates on our shark research expedition to #TubbatahaReefs natural Park be sure to follow @lamaveproject #wilderness #philippines #research #sharks #sharkresearch #conservation #marineconservation #TubbatahaReefs #TRNP #LAMAVEResearchInstitute

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We need one more person to join our #Shark #Research #Expedition in the Philippines!

This is an amazing opportunity for an ocean enthusiast who wants to get involved with marine conservation and shark research but has a full-time job.

#LAMAVE is looking for 2 explorers to join #ExpeditionShark4 - our fourth shark research expedition to Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

Departure 22nd of May 2018 Return 2nd of June 2018 Minimum age 21 Minimum diving experience: Advance Open Water and at least 40 dives

For full details including minimum requirements, cost of participation and how to secure a place, head to our website: https://www.lamave.org/news/expedition-shark-4

The focus of the expedition is to redeploy acoustic receivers and tag more grey reef sharks, manta rays, and tiger sharks. In addition to manta ray and whale shark photo-ID and underwater visual surveys (UVS) for sharks and rays.

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#EarthOptimism in the Philippines

Small steps can lead to big changes. To celebrate Earth Day 2018 passionate individuals and organisations descended on #DumagueteCity (Philippines) Public Market to give out reusable bags and spread the word on how to #breakfreefromplastic

In the top photo, Christian holds up a bag saying “I support Dumaguete City Ordinance 231″ while the second photo shows Raz with his own reusable bag design with the words of City Ordinance 231 printed on it. 

Ordinance 231 regulates the use of plastic shopping bag on both dry goods and wet goods in Dumaguete City #philippines and the team spent the morning engaging market goers in conversation about the ordinance while also giving out reusable bags to promote change. 

We can all reduce our plastic use. Always leave home with a reusable shopping bag and/or containers to collect fresh loose goods.

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If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the state of our oceans, and want to know what drives my determination for marine conservation, check out this special blog I wrote for the BBC Our Blue Planet. The oceans make me feel like an explorer and I’m determined for things to stay that way ;)

OUR BLUE PLANET: Exploring the Amazon of the seas. If you want to be an explorer, dip your head beneath the waves.

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Filming Asian Elephant in Myanmar 

Last December I saw first hand how devastating and incredibly fast Asian elephant (males, females and calves) are being poached for their skin in Myanmar. Along with Roshan Patel and Danny Schmit I had the incredible privilege to document the work of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and others. Some of what we filmed is shown here, while you can read more about this issue here.  

It is one of the only shoots, where, in a matter of days I witnessed every part of the story, from poaching to research (collaring wild elephants) to the toll of human-animal conflict. 

Elephant skin products include jewellery and medicine. More awareness must be raised on this issue, to help stop the demand and the trade.  

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I just had to repost this from @paulnicklen - People often ask why I won't eat salmon even though it is so delicious and one of my favourite fish to eat from childhood. This is why. Please read the words by @paulnicklen and make a pledge to stop eating farmed salmon. Photo by John and Jane Doe // You probably don’t want to look at this ugly photo, so why would you want to eat the fish in it? This is what happens to farmed fish in open-net ocean pens. This salmon—which is legally labelled “organic”—ends up on the plates of people who want cheap salmon: customers at high-volume retailers like Costco and Walmart, all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants, etc. 40% of it ends up in Los Angeles, #California. There is irrefutable evidence that open-net fish farming destroys wild fish stocks and pollutes coastal marine environments, affecting the entire food chain. It’s time to get open-net fish farms out of British Columbia waters. They are operating without permissionin in the territories of the indigenous Musgmagw Dzawada’enuwx and Namgis First Nations peoples. Please click the link in my bio (@paulnicklen) to add your voice. ⠀ #GetSalmonFarmsOut | #TurningTheTide | @justinpjtrudeau | @DLeBlancNB | @BCNDP | @JohnHorgan4BC #isthisyoursushi - #regrann

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To my amazing and loyal Tumblrs - I NEED YOUR VOTE to win up to €30,000 to protect sharks in the Philippines. 

CLICK HERE TO VOTE and scroll to the bottom of the page and vote for: Sharks: Umbrella Species for Coral Reef Restoration, Philippines

Voting only takes 20 seconds, and does not require signing up - it's just one click! With only four days left to go (!!), we (LAMAVE) have slipped to second place and might lose this opportunity for essential funding. So I’m turning to the biggest change-makers and word-spreaders out there - you guys! Please vote and reblog and be part of shark conservation in the Philippines.

Winning this funding will enable our team to continue our work in Cagayancillio, an archipelago that is home to some of the last sharks in the Philippines. The island is transitioning between fishing and tourism, and this funding will enable our team to: 1) tag grey reef, tiger and hammerhead sharks, to find out how they use the costal waters, then use this information to design and implement complete protection in key shark areas. 2) train local fishermen to become "Shark Wardens" and dive guides (providing alternative livelihood opportunities for former fishermen in the advent of growing dive tourism in the area)

Big love and thanks for making the world a better place ;)

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Just met my ultimate #ocean hero Dr Sylvia Earle aka "Her Deepness" @mission_blue and literally burst into tears. I've never felt so overwhelmed and inspired 🙈 #FanGirlFail She was screening her latest movie 'Sea of Hope: America's Underwater Treasures' which sees her travelling with a group of young people to visit some of her previous research sites, including taking them down 400m in a submersible to the site where she walked the ocean in JIM (a massive underwater suit) in 1979. The message is to inspire our generation and the ones to follow - all of us that are inheriting many ocean challenges and problems and that together when we make small changes we can ensure there is still hope to save our oceans and to save humanity 💙😍 Eat less fish, use less plastic, clean up our beaches. What are you doing to play your part? We need the ocean more than it needs us and hell yeah we are up for the challenge! #ocean #oceanoptimism #seaofhope #sylviaearle #jacksonhole2017 #jacksonhole17

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Patay na Butanding / Dead Whale Shark

A dead whale shark has been found floating off the coast of Rosario, Cavite, according to a report on 24 Oras Weekend. The animal was measured at 16 feet long and 8 feet wide. Fishermen hauled the carcass to shore, where it was examined by authorities. No injury has been found on the whale shark, which has now been buried. — BM, GMA News

Dead whale sharks always make a sad news story, but dead whale sharks in the Philippines can be particularly hard for me, and the LAMAVE team - this is because there is quite a high chance we might know the individual. We identify whale sharks by their unique spot pattern which is similar to a human fingerprint. Scientists around the world adopt this technique, which helps us gather information on whale shark population numbers and movement patterns (when the same shark is identified in two different places). At this time, we do not know if this is an individual our team knows, none the less it is still a great loss to see such a majestic creature washed up in the shallows.