Citizen Science and Conservation Photography

Overview

Underwater photographers have played a growing role in marine conservation — as visual advocates, as participants in citizen science programs, and as direct activists. Wetpixel served as a platform for conservation discussion from its earliest days, with a dedicated “Conservation and the Environment” forum and conservation-focused moderators. The intersection of photography and conservation became one of the site’s defining themes, particularly around shark protection, marine protected areas, and species documentation.

History

Conservation on Wetpixel: a structural commitment

Conservation was embedded in Wetpixel’s DNA. The site maintained a dedicated forum (“Conservation and the Environment,” forum_id 42) and appointed conservation-focused moderators. In January 2007, Eric Cheng announced that Shawn Heinrichs had joined the moderating team specifically to “promote and lead discussions related to conservation and environmental issues” (^[1]).

Shark conservation era (2007-2013)

Shark conservation became the most prominent conservation topic on Wetpixel, driven by both editorial coverage and community advocacy:

• 2007: Dr. Luiz Rocha, Wetpixel’s science correspondent at the California Academy of Sciences, wrote about shark conservation on Wetpixel (^[2]). Cheng covered Neil Hammerschlag’s shark conservation page (^[3]).
• 2008: Cheng covered the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society at DEMA (^[4]). The Shark Conservation Act of 2008 was approved, covered by Wetpixel (^[5]).
• 2009: Cheng rallied support for the Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (^[6]).
• 2010: Rob Stewart’s conservation advocacy was featured through his Ideacity talk (^[7]). Stewart’s film Sharkwater (2007) had already galvanized the diving community.
• 2011: Shawn Heinrichs was awarded Sea Hero of the Year (^[8]). His shark conservation work was featured on CNN (^[9]).
• 2013: Mantas were given protection by UN Conservation Convention, covered by Wetpixel (source). Heinrichs documented an epic battle between orcas and sperm whales (^[10]).

Wetpixel Live later hosted episodes on “Shark Conservation and Underwater Imaging” and “Shark Conservation and UW Image-Makers,” examining how underwater photographers contributed to advocacy efforts.

Marine protected areas

Wetpixel tracked MPA expansions worldwide:

• The Bahamas expanding marine protected areas (source)
• Sylvia Earle calling for more MPAs (source)
• Gabon announcing Africa’s largest MPA network (^[11])
• Seychelles announcing new MPAs (^[12])
• Australian lawmakers enacting the world’s largest removal of conservation zones, which Wetpixel reported critically (^[13])

Citizen science

A 2016 Wetpixel article highlighted a scientific paper emphasizing social media and citizen science in marine research, reflecting the growing recognition that underwater photographers’ observations contribute to scientific knowledge (source). A whale shark study utilizing citizen science — where divers’ photographs helped identify and track individual animals — was covered in 2014 (^[14]).

Conservation photography as a profession

The Save Our Seas Foundation launched a conservation photography grant, recognizing underwater photography as a dedicated conservation tool (source). Christie’s hosted “The Blue Auction” to benefit marine conservation, featuring underwater images (source).

Endangered species documentation

Abi Smigel Mullens was particularly active in conservation coverage, reporting on:

• Vaquita rescue efforts (^[15])
• Endangered olive ridley sea turtles killed by fishing nets (^[16])
• Florida manatee delisting (^[17])
• Critically endangered sawfish encounters (source)

Key Figures

Photographers as advocates

• Shawn Heinrichs — Emmy-winning filmmaker, Sea Hero of the Year 2011, Manta Ray of Hope co-founder, Racing Extinction contributor. Joined Wetpixel as conservation moderator in 2007.
• Rob Stewart — Canadian filmmaker whose Sharkwater (2007) and Revolution (2015) galvanized shark conservation. Died during a dive in 2017.
• Dr. Luiz Rocha — California Academy of Sciences marine biologist who wrote 30+ conservation articles for Wetpixel in 2006, bridging scientific research and the photography community.
• Sylvia Earle — “Her Deepness,” Mission Blue founder, vocal advocate for MPAs.
• David Doubilet — Spoke about conservation on Wetpixel; his National Geographic stories routinely combined visual storytelling with conservation messaging.
• Brian Skerry — National Geographic contract photographer whose TED talk and Ocean Soul book put marine conservation in mainstream consciousness.

Organizations

• Sea Shepherd Conservation Society — Covered at DEMA 2008; Cheng served as head photographer for Antarctic anti-whaling campaigns
• Save Our Seas Foundation — Conservation photography grants for underwater photographers
• PEW Charitable Trusts — Shark conservation work in the Bahamas and globally; Norbert Wu was a Pew Fellow
• Bite-Back — UK shark conservation charity that ran photography competitions and calendars, covered annually on Wetpixel

Impact

The Wetpixel community demonstrated that underwater photographers are uniquely positioned for conservation:

1. Visual evidence: Photographers document conditions that scientists cannot always observe firsthand — reef health, species behavior, population changes
2. Public engagement: Images of charismatic marine life build public support for protection measures
3. Species identification: Diver photographs contribute to citizen science databases for whale sharks, manta rays, and other species
4. Policy influence: Films like Sharkwater and Racing Extinction directly influenced shark fin legislation and CITES protections
5. Economic argument: Underwater photography tourism demonstrates the economic value of living marine ecosystems versus extractive use

The Coral Bleaching Crisis of 2015-2017 further demonstrated this impact, as underwater photographers documented the devastation in real time, contributing to public awareness and scientific documentation.

References

• ^[18] (article)
• ^[19] (article)
• ^[20] (article)
• ^[21] (article)
• ^[22] (article)
• Paper emphasizes social media and citizen science in marine research (article)
• ^[23] (article)
• Save Our Seas launches conservation photography grant (article)
• ^[24] (article)