The contribution of underwater photographs to marine science
by Steve Reynolds
Society member David Muirhead contributes many, if not most, of his photographs to marine science. Most of them, if not all, are posted to iNaturalist. This includes everything that moves and many things that don’t (move). He even took this photo of me whilst I was taking a photo of him (see header photo): –
Our Society recently received a request from Professor Charlie Huveneers saying that Dr Peter Kyne was looking for photos of the coastal stingaree, Urolophus orarius.
Dr Kyne is Senior Research Fellow, Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Red List Authority Coordinator & Regional Vice-Chair, Australia and Oceania IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group.
The photo was required because “The NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub is preparing some media material for the release of The Action Plan for Australian Sharks and Rays 2020. The Action Plan covers all 329 Australian chondrichthyans.”
In response to the email forwarded out to all MLSSA members, David Muirhead contacted Dr Kyne, suggesting that he have a look on iNaturalist. This led to Dr Kyne finding what he wanted at https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/15160771 .
David took this photo of a coastal stingaree under the old Rapid Bay jetty on Feb 6, 2008: –
David’s photo of the coastal stingaree, Urolophus orarius
We hope that David’s contribution to marine science as a photographer will encourage others to see the value of underwater photography.
Our thanks go to Dan Monceaux and Charlie Huveneers for their assistance in this matter.
