honorable mention
Samantha Schwann united states
title
Apex
Mako: Listed in 2019 as endangered, the Mako is the fastest shark on the planet. Photographed in Cabo San Lucas, one of the last few remaining locations worldwide with measurable populations. Hunted for meat, fins, and sport, populations are expected to continue to decline until 2035 due to their slow rate of reproduction.
Oceanic Whitetip: A critically endangered shark with populations reduced by 98% in some areas. A top apex shark, they are often attracted to the vibrations produced by churning boat propellors. Photographed in French Polynesia.
Habitat: Blacktip reef sharks are the top apex predator within the lagoons of French Polynesia. They are fast and agile, feeding on small prey within the coral ecosystem.
Nursery: A rare shark nursery area located in the Revillagigedo Archipelago. The reef contains a strong current, ample easy-to-catch prey, and protection from predators. They will spend up to three years here prior to migrating to richer food sources.
Blue Shark: The long pectoral fins of the blue shark assist in long migrations, but are also attractive to the shark fin trade. Photographed in the Gulf of California, which has seasonal populations.
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entry description
Images within this series are from a three-year project documenting ecologically unique areas of the ocean, many of which are critical habitat for vulnerable species of shark. It is estimated that over 100 million sharks are killed annually, resulting in an unsustainable decline for a keystone species of which global ocean health depends on.Mako: Listed in 2019 as endangered, the Mako is the fastest shark on the planet. Photographed in Cabo San Lucas, one of the last few remaining locations worldwide with measurable populations. Hunted for meat, fins, and sport, populations are expected to continue to decline until 2035 due to their slow rate of reproduction.
Oceanic Whitetip: A critically endangered shark with populations reduced by 98% in some areas. A top apex shark, they are often attracted to the vibrations produced by churning boat propellors. Photographed in French Polynesia.
Habitat: Blacktip reef sharks are the top apex predator within the lagoons of French Polynesia. They are fast and agile, feeding on small prey within the coral ecosystem.
Nursery: A rare shark nursery area located in the Revillagigedo Archipelago. The reef contains a strong current, ample easy-to-catch prey, and protection from predators. They will spend up to three years here prior to migrating to richer food sources.
Blue Shark: The long pectoral fins of the blue shark assist in long migrations, but are also attractive to the shark fin trade. Photographed in the Gulf of California, which has seasonal populations.
about the photographer
Samantha Schwann began scuba diving as a teenager in the emerald green waters surrounding Vancouver Island in Canada, igniting a curiosity and passion for the ocean. Schwann’s artistic background was in sculpture (stone, metal) prior to an introduction to photography in 2010, where she began with landscape and abstract work. Her career is dedicated to ocean conservation since the acquisition of an underwater housing in 2015.back to gallery