Australian_Yoga_Journal_October_2017

47

october 2017

yogajournal.com.au

images we came home with were truly
astonishing and went viral shortly after
we started posting them.
Conversations in the comment
threads made it clear that we were
having an impact. People were educating
each other on what these animals
actually were. Because I was pictured
together with the animal in its own
environment, they appeared less like
aliens and more like friends. We made
sure to accompany the images with real
facts about the plight of these animals
and people started waking up.
We have since been fortunate enough
to embark on more of these trips, which
are costly and challenging to prepare for.
Our most recent shoot was with
dolphins, who are on the move and swim
fast, so it was definitely not easy to get in
the same frame with them.
People ask me all the time if I am
scared or fearful when I am in the water
with these animals, and the answer is
no. I am so thrilled to be in their world
that I can hardly contain my zeal and
enthusiasm. Each animal is absolutely
beautiful to watch and each has its own
distinct character. Being with them never
gets old for me.

“I am so thrilled to be in their

world that I can hardly contain

my zeal and enthusiasm. Each

animal is absolutely beautiful

to watch and each has its

own distinct character.”

Some facts you might not have known about

threatened marine animals:

> Studies show that a number of shark species have declined in population by 90% or

more in several regions, largely due to ‘shark finning’ over the last 50 years due to the

demand for shark fin soup, an Asian delicacy.

> Manta rays have recently been listed under CITES as a species that needs protection

due to wide scale harvesting of manta gill rakers under the false assumption that they

have medicinal benefits in Chinese medicine. Manta ray longevity is estimated to be at

least 40 years.

> The world’s rarest and smallest known subspecies of dolphin, the Maui’s Dolphin,

found in the coastal waters of New Zealand’s West Coast North Island, is critically

endangered. Less than 50 remain. The species has been declining since set-netting and

trawling was introduced in the 1970s.

> Dolphins, while widely revered for their intelligence and joyful demeanor, are being

caught in fishing nets worldwide, and slaughtered for their meat in Taiji, Japan.

A good yoga practice teaches you to be

curious, a little nerdy, and definitely

more concerned for the world around

you. Although the ocean is deep and

other-worldy, it is a vital part of our very

existence and survival as inhabitants of

this planet. My hope is that more and

more people see the images from the sea

and that this inspires them to take

massive action toward a better world.

Donate:

>Dolphin Project

>WildAid

>Manta Ray of Hope

>Shark Savers

>Tangaroa Blue

>Oceanic Preservation

Society

>Blue Sphere

Foundation

TAKE ACTION

To help dolphins, other marine animals and the ocean itself, see these great

resources and causes.

Finally, be a conscious consumer. Take your kids to the ocean rather than to

marine parks. Eat at restaurants that serve ethical food sources.

Watch:

> Racing Extinction

> The Cove

> Chasing Coral