New Ocean Realm Images Website Launched!

I'm pleased to announce that my website (www.OceanRealmImages.com) has been completely revamped and is now online. There are many underwater images from around the world (as you might expect) but the new site also integrates my blog and twitter feeds in a much easier site to navigate.

I will soon be posting the findings from my doctoral studies on the biology and conservation of gorgonian-associated pygmy seahorses so keep checking back or subscribe to my update list.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the new site and feel free to comment or contact me!

Best wishes

Rich

Raja Ampat FiNS Blog

My blog on the FiNS website about my recent trip aboard the Paradise Dancer to Raja Ampat in west Papua, Indonesia has just been posted so check it out.

An amazing destination with mind-blowing diving! Heaps of pygmy seahorses which is obviously a major draw for me but the reefs really are out of this world.

New Species of Velvetfish

Whilst on a night dive aboard the Paradise Dancer in the Raja Ampat region of Indonesia recently I came across this unusual velvetfish. Having consulted an expert, who had never seen it before, it may well be a new species. Hence forth it shall be known as Richard's velvetfish!

Check out my Raja Ampat gallery for more images of this amazing fish!

Sport Diving Issue 138 Article: Pygmy Species Explosion

The new issue of Sport Diving has just been published and contains my article Pygmy Species Explosion. It explains some of the work that is part of my PhD, focusing on the ecology of pygmy seahorses, as well as quick run down of the species that have recently been described such as Hippocampus pontohi, Hippocampus waleananus, Hippocampus severnsi and Hippocampus satomiae.

Asian Diver Article: issue 106

The second article in my Species Crash Course series has just been released in Asian Diver Magazine Issue 106. It is about the exciting species of scorpionfish that can often be found on the muck dive sites of Asia such as Lembeh, Alor, Milne Bay and Anilao. It has already hit the stands in Singapore and should soon be available in Australia too! Keep your eyes peeled!

Shark Savers Billboard Campaign!

I have recently donated to an innovative campaign by Shark Savers and Wild Aid who have been asking for US$100 which will buy two billboards in China that aim to educate people on the plight of global shark populations. Shark finning is decimating the world's shark populations and is primarily fueled by demand from China and other Asian countries. Hitting demand at its source I consider to be the way forward!

Shark Savers recently reached their target of 1,000 billboards to be displayed for a year. This is brilliant but they can always benefit from further donations to continue this project. They plan to expand into a third city in China to reach an even greater audience.

This would be a brilliant Christmas gift, they'll send a certificate as evidence! Often we buy gifts that are never to be seen/used again after a few weeks. This gift will literally keep on giving. Maybe there will be sharks left in fifty years. With current trends this might be unlikely but fingers crossed Shark Savers can make a difference.

Follow this LINK to donate!