Conservation Photography in the Maldives

Tom Burd · Issue 98, Sep/Oct 2017 · pp. 56–60

Products mentioned: Nikon D7000, Nauticam Housing, Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye, Sea and Sea YS-D1, Adobe Lightroom

I’m sure at some point on a dive you’ve experienced a mask leak from grinning in wonder at a particular breath-taking spectacle… Perhaps as that mythical school of hammerheads glided serenely overhead, or when you first saw a cuttlefish cascading its hypnotic colours. These magical underwater moments are truly the reason we dive, and thankfully the oceans never cease to reveal to us new phenomena. My first such moment happened in the Azores, as I marvelled at a huge oceanic manta ray leading a twisting ballet of mobulas under our boat, in a display of simple playfulness and curiosity. Their grace, intelligence and sheer majesty was utterly stunning, and I was instantly captivated by these incredible animals. A few years down the line, I’ve been lucky enough to find myself researching them in the Maldives, on behalf of the British charity, Manta Trust. Long known as one of the world’s mos…