Ocean's Twelve

BiteBack marine calendar for conservation

Few people are better qualified to inspire the protection of the oceans than the world’s finest underwater photographers and that’s why the UK’s pioneering shark and marine conservation organisation, Bite-Back, turned to them for help. 

The result is a remarkable 2010 calendar that combines stunning images and arresting commentary that, Bite-Back, hopes will help motivate a sea-change in attitude for the marine world. And WideWorld has been given an exclusive look at some of the images inside.

The unique collaboration features breathtaking images of sharks, turtles, rays, eels and whales from 12 award-winning photographers such as Amos Nachoum, Jeff Rotman, Brian Skerry and Michael Aw.

The photographers chose favourite images from different corners of the globe including the coastal waters of Hawaii, Tonga, Bahamas, Guadalupe, West Papau, South Africa and Borneo.

“Since the early 1970s I have become a witness to our ever increasing race to empty the oceans," says Jeff Rotman. "Now, almost 40 years later, we find ourselves in a dangerous situation.  We have fished to the point where marine stocks can no longer maintain a reproductive population.  In my opinion, it’s way past midnight.”

The project has enormous significance to the marine conservation group, Bite-Back. 
According to the organisation's campaign director, Graham Buckingham, over-fishing is the single biggest threat to the marine environment. "By highlighting the issues of over-fishing we’re creating a dialogue with supermarkets, restaurants, chefs and fishmongers to motivate responsible sourcing and ethical retailing," he says.

Since its launch, Bite-Back has motivated supermarkets including ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose to drop certain threatened species such as shark, swordfish, marlin, monkfish and orange roughy. Its campaigns have also seen Holland & Barratt stop selling shark cartilage capsules and the world’s only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant, Hakkasan, stop selling shark fin soup.

Bite-Back's 2010 calendar can be ordered online for £7.99 (+ p&p) via www.bite-back.com