Strong demand is outpacing supply at a faster rate this year than estimated, especially after the UAE’s removal from FATF Grey List
You developed an interest in the ocean at a young age. How did this interest form?
I didn't speak English growing up, so my favourite form of entertainment was watching wildlife channels! Aquariums also fascinated me. There was only one in my area growing up and I had to travel 45 minutes just to see it. You guys are so lucky to have such an amazing display filled with sharks and rays right in the middle of a mall. It is amazing, and I'm blown away by the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. I think it will change a lot of attitudes and inspire a lot of youths.
Did you always know you wanted to get involved with underwater photography?
I always wanted to! Every since I heard about wildlife photographers, I always felt like it was where I belonged. I never went to shark filmmaking school or anything - this is just something you chase. I started going out and filming sharks and putting it on social media, and everything else just happened. That is the beauty of photography these days - anyone can go out there and shoot and people will take notice. Today, I'm still pinching myself because it's hard to believe all my dreams came true.
How does an usual underwater photography session go?
First, there's a lot of travel. You have to know the perfect location where the animals will be. Then you have to find the right people who will help you get there. Every animal has different behaviour, and that has to be taken into account. Once all that is done, it's all a matter of hoping everything goes right. When you are out there, if your camera doesn't work, or if anyone gets hurt, there's little you can do. Everything has to go perfectly for a few seconds of footage. You just have to get into the water and pray you get it right.
It is a lot of pressure, as far as camera work is concerned. But I'm not worried about the sharks. I'm worried about the guy next to me with the camera. The ocean is so full of marine life that a jellyfish will get you before a shark will. So, I'm not afraid of the sharks. My fear is that one day there won't be any sharks to film.
What are the myths about sharks you are trying to break through your work?
That sharks are man-eating, human-killing machines! I want to make it clear that we are not on their menu. Thousands of people get into the oceans everyday, and if sharks were truly trying to get us, I think we would be very easy targets. Their biggest dream is to get away from people. Sharks kill about 8-10 human beings a year by accident. In return, human beings kill about 70-100 million of them! The number of deaths is on the rise and if we are not careful, they will become extinct in our lifetime.
Has there ever been a time when you were worried for your safety or your life?
Any experience where I was worried for my life has happened because of the cage or the life support. I've had some exciting encounters - once a shark bit the camera right out of my hand. But again, that's not the shark's fault - it's because the camera was emitting a signal that it can feel. So, yes, I've had a lot of close calls, but it's never the shark's fault. Also, we take a lot of safety measures and we're not just concerned about the safety of our people, but also the safety of the animal.
Any particularly memorable experiences?
There have been too many! Like I said before, once a shark tried to grab the camera and pull it out of my hand. But by far, the most impressive is that the migratory animal travels far and wide, and sometimes, you actually happen to run into the same animal at another part of the world. This has happened to the point where the shark recognises you! They are intelligent creatures. Sharks can learn an action and respond to it. But mostly, they are indifferent to us. I've seen huge 20 feet long sharks float right by, paying no attention to us whatsoever.
Is there any particular message you are trying to send through your pictures?
The most important one is that sharks are amazing, gorgeous animals that deserve our respect, and if we are not careful, they will disappear in our lifetime.
Do you have any tips you want to give aspiring underwater photographers?
Just to go out there and do it! Everyone has a camera these days. If you really want to do it, you have to become a diver. Simultaneously, train yourself to be good with the camera. There is no school that will teach you, so you have to actually get out there yourself. Also, always take care of the animals that you are working with.
Your ultimate goal?
To keep shooting films and be around sharks for the rest of my life. I want to do my part to protect the animals by spreading awareness about their plight - so they are around for our children to enjoy watching someday.
janice@khaleejtimes.com
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