This image is based on the Maugean Skate, a properly ancient and endangered species that roamed Australia's waters before many dinosaurs did and native to a few harbours in Tasmania. Its numbers are in free-fall primarily due to the effects of commercial salmon farming, with climate change and manipulation of waterways for hydro electricity also being contributing factors.
Their population has been cut in half over the last several years - they are on track to become the world’s first modern-day marine fish extinction within 10 years.
Their population has been cut in half over the last several years - they are on track to become the world’s first modern-day marine fish extinction within 10 years.
I wanted to create something to support the campaign to save the species,
helping to bring attention to it.
helping to bring attention to it.
To create the image I photographed breaking surf at dawn at a few locations along the eastern Australian coast. The different coastline directions gave me different lighting angle to play with.
