Marine Conservation

Marine conservation articles and updates from around the world, including national marine parks, protected areas and marine life like sharks and manta rays.

Photography plays a crucial role in underwater conservation raising awareness and teaching people on the value of marine life
By Javier Murcia

Photography as a Tool for Nature Conservation

Photography as a Tool for Nature Conservation
Javier Murcia
Photography plays a crucial role in underwater conservation raising awareness and teaching people on the value of marine life

A Note from the Editor: Javier Murcia, the author of this article, is an ambassador for Marelux - a premier anodized aluminum housing brand. Be sure to support this content by checking out Marelux products at Bluewater Photo. Also check out our first thoughts on using Marelux underwater housings. 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Javier Murcia was born in Cartagena. Living near the sea made his love for marine organisms even more. From a very young age he dived with goggles, a tube and fins, which led to a great interest in diving and very soon he began to feel the urge to capture marine species in the form of images.

His work, as a naturalist and photographer, focuses on marine and freshwater fauna. His photos have been published in various marine fauna books, posters, calendars, posters, notebooks, calendars and brochures of various ecological foundations, and have been and are exhibited in museums and exhibitions. He currently collaborates with various national and international magazines on nature and marine biology topics.

Author of 9 books, including the “Guide to the underwater flora and fauna of the Mar Menor”, “Life under the Mediterranean”, “An underwater journey through the port of Cartagena”, “The Mar Menor, A magical lagoon”, “The green forest, Posidonia oceanica”, “Break: between land and water”, “Posidonia oceanica: meadows of life”, etc. He has collaborated in the book “Marine Ichthyofauna of the Mediterranean”, in the “Atlas of phanerogams of Spain” or the Oceanografic Guide (Valencia).

He is a member of the group of photographers PortfolioNatural where they have published "the art of photographing nature"

He is an ambassador for big brands such as Aqualung, Marelux, Oceanografic de Valencia and collaborates with Kanau, Orcatorch, Balkysub and more.

He has received several photography awards in international competitions such as the prestigious GDT (European Wildlife Photographer of the Year), UPY (Underwater Photographer of the Yea), Montphoto, Asferico, Magical Nature, Fotocam, Nature photographer of the year, Navara , Fotonoja, Euronatur, Memorial Marialuisa, Siena International Photo Awards, AEFONA, Photo-montier, etc.


Check out Javier's Social Media Accounts:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/javier.murciarequena

Instagram: www.instagram.com/javiermurciarequena/

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A New Lessepsian Invasion and a Familiar Story
By Nirupam Nigam

Lionfish Invade the Mediterranean

Lionfish Invade the Mediterranean
Nirupam Nigam
A New Lessepsian Invasion and a Familiar Story

The azure waters of the Mediterranean have been the center of Western civilization for millennia. The sea wears many hats - it is a vital trade route, an inspiration for art, a breadbasket for sustenance, and a great way to cool off on a hot summer's day. With so much use, it is expected that the Mediterranean would not be left untouched by homo sapiens. In many ways, it evolves with us. And now, as our society changes at a more rapid rate - so is the Mediterranean.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

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Historically the breadbasket of North America, the Gulf of Maine is now empty
By Nirupam Nigam

I Went for a Dive in the Gulf of Maine and I Saw One Fish

I Went for a Dive in the Gulf of Maine and I Saw One Fish
Nirupam Nigam
Historically the breadbasket of North America, the Gulf of Maine is now empty

As a child, I was lucky enough to spend my summers with my grandparents in Maine (aka, Vacationland). This meant hot, humid days exploring lighthouses along a rugged coast, the occasional thunderstorm, and plenty of lobster rolls. Pungent fish markets with equally pungent people were always stocked full of crabs, monkfish, haddock, and, of course, lobster - sometimes as low as $4 a pound!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


Peter de Maagt talks about satellite tag development for marine animals. Challenges, deployment, and the future ...
By Robert Bailey

Satellite Tagging – The SHARC Tag Program

Satellite Tagging – The SHARC Tag Program
Robert Bailey
Peter de Maagt talks about satellite tag development for marine animals. Challenges, deployment, and the future ...

One of the few advantages of lockdown is that underwater camera clubs are getting international speakers to support their virtual meetings. This is a massive benefit and we’ve been fortunate to listen to some very interesting speakers over the past six months. Back in July Peter de Maagt, an accomplished underwater photographer, and antenna specialist for the European Space Agency (ESA) joined the Bristol Underwater Photography Group’s monthly meeting.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert has worked professionally on commercial television sets doing production photography, shot modern dance for the art department at the University of Calgary, and has worked in a freelance capacity shooting a variety of subjects. Rob worked as a NAUI scuba instructor, and then instructor trainer for the University of Calgary from 1993-1999. He is still an avid diver, and never dives without a camera. 


He moved to Europe in the late 1990s and now resides in the UK. 

 

Robert has enjoyed success in both national and international underwater photography competitions over the years. As a result his images have been published in national magazines, books, scientific publications, and newspapers in the UK. He’s an active committee member for the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP), and the website administrator for the Bristol Underwater Photography Group (BUPG). He’s written several articles for national dive magazines, and often gives presentations on his own underwater photography and photographic technique for photographic clubs in the UK. 

 

Robert worked as a technical specialist, and then technical account manager in the IT industry for many years, and now works part time as a photographer, and full time as editor for the Underwater Photography Guide. 

 

You can see more of Robert's work at www.robertbaileyphotography.com

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


You can help to protect our oceans and the future of life on our blue planet.
By Robert Bailey

Best Ways to Protect the Ocean

Top Ten Ways to Protect the Ocean
Robert Bailey
You can help to protect our oceans and the future of life on our blue planet.

Our Planet’s name is deceptive; we call it Earth. In fact, 70% of it is covered by water.  The ocean is vital to life. The water we drink, the air we breath, the entire ecosystem relies on it. For eons we’ve been taking marine life away from the oceans, and polluting it.  Today we run the risk of making the planet uninhabitable for ourselves, and all the creatures we share it with. 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert has worked professionally on commercial television sets doing production photography, shot modern dance for the art department at the University of Calgary, and has worked in a freelance capacity shooting a variety of subjects. Rob worked as a NAUI scuba instructor, and then instructor trainer for the University of Calgary from 1993-1999. He is still an avid diver, and never dives without a camera. 


He moved to Europe in the late 1990s and now resides in the UK. 

 

Robert has enjoyed success in both national and international underwater photography competitions over the years. As a result his images have been published in national magazines, books, scientific publications, and newspapers in the UK. He’s an active committee member for the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP), and the website administrator for the Bristol Underwater Photography Group (BUPG). He’s written several articles for national dive magazines, and often gives presentations on his own underwater photography and photographic technique for photographic clubs in the UK. 

 

Robert worked as a technical specialist, and then technical account manager in the IT industry for many years, and now works part time as a photographer, and full time as editor for the Underwater Photography Guide. 

 

You can see more of Robert's work at www.robertbaileyphotography.com

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


When it comes to the marine plastic pollution crisis, all hope is not lost! There are things you can do now...
By Nirupam Nigam

Plastic Pollution: What You Can Do to Save Our Oceans

Nirupam Nigam
When it comes to the marine plastic pollution crisis, all hope is not lost! There are things you can do now...

Plastic pollution enters the Caribbean Sea on the shores of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - only a few miles to the nearest dive destination. Beaches are the interface between pollution and our natural wonders we hold so dear.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


20 years of Reef Check data finds that corals now can withstand higher temperatures before bleaching than they could a decade ago.
By Reef Check

Coral Reefs Now More Resistant to Ocean Warming than a Decade Ago

Reef Check
20 years of Reef Check data finds that corals now can withstand higher temperatures before bleaching than they could a decade ago.

Reef Check Diver collects data on coral bleaching and other ecosystem health indicators along a transect.

 

Climate change and ocean warming threaten coral reefs globally with more frequent and deadly coral bleaching events. But a new study, using 20 years of Reef Check data, finds that corals now can withstand higher temperatures before bleaching than they could a decade ago.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Reef Check is a global non-profit organization working to protect tropical coral reefs and California rocky reefs through education, conservation, and research. Reef Check trains volunteer divers to become citizen scientists to survey the status and health of tropical coral reefs, California rocky reefs, and Mediterranean habitats. With more than 10,000 surveys in more than 75 countries, Reef Check teams provide the data that helps us understand our reefs and manage and care for our ocean. Learn more at www.reefcheck.org. Contact: Dania Trespalacios, dtrespalacios@reefcheck.org, +1 305 793 8154

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

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The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

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An inside look at the shark research taking place at one of the world's shark diving hotspots.
By UWPG News

Behind the Scenes at Bimini Sharklab

UWPG News
An inside look at the shark research taking place at one of the world's shark diving hotspots.

Bimini Island (Bahamas) is home to the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation. Known as the Sharklab, the BBFS team conducts ongoing studies of sharks to further our knowledge of and ability to protect these magnificent fish.

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


An inside look at the Galapagos Islands conservation message videographer Dustin Adamson put behind his recent film Darwin's Dream
By Brent Durand

Environmental Message Behind Darwin's Dream Film

Brent Durand
An inside look at the Galapagos Islands conservation message videographer Dustin Adamson put behind his recent film Darwin's Dream

Every day we're bombarded with underwater photos and videos, but it takes something a little different, something a little special, to really stand out from the crowd.

Ocean Shutter's recent film, Darwin's Dream, really stood out to us. Yes, it is a fantastic film and it has won some prestigious awards and selections, but it also contains a very strong marine conservation message. We decided to reach out to creator Dustin Adamson for more insight into this message, which we share below.

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

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Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


The story and photos behind the birth of the new Sisters' Islands Marine Park
By Victor Tang

Singapore’s First Marine Park

Victor Tang
The story and photos behind the birth of the new Sisters' Islands Marine Park

Singapore, a tiny city-state in the heart of Southeast Asia, evokes images of streets that are clean and safe, Formula 1 racing under the stars and unforgettable eclectic cuisine. Singapore is home to the second busiest port in the world, which is now just a footnote in its curriculum vitae as this small island continues to glitz itself up. Singapore’s southern ocean, long the perennial lifeblood of the nation, is about to have its day in the sun again, for an audacious project is taking place just five kilometers from the mainland: setting up a Marine Park right within the port limits.

SUPPORT THE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE:

The Best Service & Prices on u/w Photo Gear

 

Visit Bluewater Photo & Video for all your underwater photography and video gear. Click, or call the team at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 


The Best Pricing, Service & Expert Advice to Book your Dive Trips

 

Bluewater Travel is your full-service scuba travel agency. Let our expert advisers plan and book your next dive vacation. Run by divers, for divers.

 


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