I hold underwater photography close to my heart. I see it as an art form as well as a hunt. Unlike on solid ground, you are in a dynamic and foreign environment - far from the top of the food chain. A world of unknowns.

Most of my diving has been in the tropical waters of Far North Queensland. From Irukandji jellyfish that measure 1cm all the way up to Saltwater crocodiles, there’s plenty of nightmarish dangers that most would avoid. That being said, knowledge of the environment, weather patterns and animal behaviour goes a long way in both navigating these threats and thriving in the underwater world. On the other hand, the beauty that can be found under the ocean is novel and plentiful.

I hope to share some unique perspectives of this in the hope that some may pause to reflect on our role and responsibility in protecting the ecosystems around us - ecosystems that have vast long-term scientific potential. Chemical extraction for example, like Penicillin, was extracted from mould and has revolutionised the living standards of people living today. Australia has an estimated 250,000 species of mushrooms, the overwhelming majority of which are not identified or classified. A niche field of chemistry research is investigating the promising signs of compounds extracted from Australian mushrooms to upregulate neuroplasticity, with potential medicinal use in neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injuries and mental health applications. What’s not to say that the world’s largest coral reef system has some similarly impactful potential. Potential for profit and improving the lives of people around the world.

Protecting the environment is protecting the potential benefits we can reap from it - fairly logical in the eyes of a capitalist.