2nd place
silver star award
LESLEY ROCHAT
south africa 
Photo © LESLEY ROCHAT
title
Cowshark weaves through magical kelp forest.
She is a PADI Divemaster, and SSI Freediver, also known as the Shark Warrior, because of her passionate efforts in shark conservation. She began photography when one only had 36 frames to get a good shot. Her first camera was a Pentax K1000 and she converted a room in her home into a dark room where she lost herself for hours. She made the progression to Nikon and underwater photography a couple of decades ago and began traveling extensively, becoming a well-published environmental and dive-travel photojournalist, bringing both the beauty as well as the plight of the oceans to public attention through her images and articles.
She is an inductee of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, and of the Ocean Artist Society, and a recipient of many awards.
Given her growing concern for the marine environment, in 2003 she packed up a successful corporate career and founded AfriOceans Conservation Alliance, a non-profit organization based in Cape Town, South Africa, for which she is the CEO and principal photographer. Under her leadership, AfriOceans successfully drives education, awareness and lobbying initiatives. This PANDA award-winning documentary filmmaker is also the CEO of Blue Pulse Pictures, her production company for which she has produced and directed ocean focused awareness films.
Through Shark Warrior Adventures, a self-funding and responsible tourism initiative of AfriOceans, she leads global photographic expeditions, both land and sea, specializing in African destinations, dive expeditions, and endangered animals. Her aim is to help reconnect people to Nature through transformational wildlife experiences, and assist them in capturing images that help raise global awareness for the voiceless.
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entry description
I shot this prehistoric-looking cowshark, also known as a sevengill shark, weaving through the magical kelp forests of False Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. Despite being apex predators they are a joy to dive with. No bait is used but still they move in closely, sometimes so close one has to duck to allow them to glide over one. Unfortunately they have no protection in South African waters and are often caught in fisheries. Overfishing along with the negative environmental impacts as a result of global warming are a real threat to their future survival.about the photographer
Lesley Rochat is an award-winning marine and shark conservationist, filmmaker, photographer, environmental writer, inspirational speaker, campaigner, author and activist.She is a PADI Divemaster, and SSI Freediver, also known as the Shark Warrior, because of her passionate efforts in shark conservation. She began photography when one only had 36 frames to get a good shot. Her first camera was a Pentax K1000 and she converted a room in her home into a dark room where she lost herself for hours. She made the progression to Nikon and underwater photography a couple of decades ago and began traveling extensively, becoming a well-published environmental and dive-travel photojournalist, bringing both the beauty as well as the plight of the oceans to public attention through her images and articles.
She is an inductee of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, and of the Ocean Artist Society, and a recipient of many awards.
Given her growing concern for the marine environment, in 2003 she packed up a successful corporate career and founded AfriOceans Conservation Alliance, a non-profit organization based in Cape Town, South Africa, for which she is the CEO and principal photographer. Under her leadership, AfriOceans successfully drives education, awareness and lobbying initiatives. This PANDA award-winning documentary filmmaker is also the CEO of Blue Pulse Pictures, her production company for which she has produced and directed ocean focused awareness films.
Through Shark Warrior Adventures, a self-funding and responsible tourism initiative of AfriOceans, she leads global photographic expeditions, both land and sea, specializing in African destinations, dive expeditions, and endangered animals. Her aim is to help reconnect people to Nature through transformational wildlife experiences, and assist them in capturing images that help raise global awareness for the voiceless.
back to gallery
