At once feared and revered, sharks have captivated people since our earliest human encounters. Children and adults alike stand awed before aquarium shark tanks, fascinated by the giant teeth and unnerving eyes. And no swim in the ocean is undertaken without a slight shiver of anxiety about the very real—and very cinematic—dangers of shark bites. But our interactions with sharks are not entirely one-sided: the threats we pose to sharks through fisheries, organized hunts, and gill nets on coastlines are more deadly and far-reaching than any bite. In Sharks and People acclaimed wildlife photographer Thomas Peschak presents stunning photographs that capture the relationship between people and sharks around the globe.
From outer space, the 115 islands that make up the Seychelles archipelago are little more than specks of rock and coral spread in a fan across the western Indian Ocean. This magnificent book is a visual journey into the aquatic world of this remote archipelago, and a celebration of its underwater world and spectacular marine wildlife. The Seychelles coral reefs are among the most extensive in the Indian Ocean, and Sir David Attenborough described the south-western atoll of Aldabra is one of the wonders of the world. Mangrove forests and sea grass beds are also well represented. With a high level of marine biodiversity - the Seychelles hosts one of one of the world's most important hawksbill turtle populations, and are a globally important sanctuary for whale sharks. This title is published in association with the Save our Seas Foundation.
Wild Seas, Secret Shores of Africa offers a breathtakingly beautiful underwater journey around the African coast. The images portray all major marine habitats, from kelp forests to coral reefs, and feature a range of marine species in action, from iconic apex predators like great white and tiger sharks, whales and dolphins, to the lesser-known but equally fascinating creatures such as jellyfish and starfish. Each photograph tells a story or provides a fresh look at a familiar subject; together they make a resounding statement for marine conservation.
Each picture is repeated as a thumbnail in the second half and a photo story and photo specs are given. Through this unique and useful resource, readers gain insight into how the pictures were taken, and what the camera settings were-enhancing their own photo-adventures.
The Great White Shark is an animal that inspires awe and fear: it is one of the world’s foremost predators, equipped with the most formidable jaws in the animal kingdom. With attacks seemingly on the increase in the Western Cape region, as well as the increased popularity of Great White Shark tourism and cage diving, this giant of the deep is often in the news, but frequently for the wrong reasons. South Africa's Great White Shark is the definitive text for cage divers, marine biologists, tour guides, and photographers, providing in-depth coverage of Great White behaviour, ecology, conservation, ecotourism and the truth behind cage diving, chumming and shark 'attacks'.
Southern Africa’s coast is the meeting place of two ocean giants – the Benguela current of the Atlantic Ocean and the Agulhas of the Indian Ocean. They clash fiercely at the continent’s southern tip, dividing the region into two contrasting marine ecosystems that rank among the richest, most biologically diverse and oceanographically complex on the planet. The waters of the west coast are fed by the Benguela, a cold current that accounts for the enormous volume of marine life found here, while those of the east coast – warmed by the Agulhas current – are noted for their huge variety of life forms. Currents of Contrast – Life in Southern Africa’s Two Oceans first introduces the realm of the Benguela, where you will encounter the ocean’s ultimate predator, the great white shark. Here, the nutrient-rich waters wash over rocky reefs, and vast kelp forests thrive, providing food for diverse animals and plants, among them Cape clawless otters. In the realm of the Agulhas, you can explore the Knysna estuary and its most charismatic inhabitant, the Knysna seahorse. Follow the sardine run on the east coast and witness the suite of predators that feasts on this silver cornucopia.
