@mitty

@Andy_Mann, my fellow co-founder of SeaLegacy and avid shark lover, captured this footage of me swarmed by silky sharks in Cuba’s Caribbean shallows. To some, I’m sure this swirling congregation of fins might seem like a nightmare. However, silky sharks have far more to fear from people than we do from them. Many are killed for their fins, more die as bycatch trapped in tuna nets, and some are killed out of fear based on sensationalized headlines. I’ve read far too many articles hoping to shock a few new readers into becoming subscribers with stories of supposedly aggressive “mega sharks!” or “jaws!” The reality is these stories do nothing but threaten an already vulnerable animal who is much more valuable alive than dead. This shark week, follow along with my team @SeaLegacy as we reveal the true nature of the world’s most misunderstood predator and how re-writing the shark narrative can help save their vanishing populations. #sharkweek #sharks #savethesharks #conservation #oceanconservation

Wonderful News for North America’s Spirit Bears!! The Kitasoo Xai’xais and Gitga’at First Nations have officially succeeded in banning the hunting of all black bears within the Great Bear Rainforest! The black bears that roam the islands and coastal forests of the region carry the special, recessive gene that produces spirit bears, one of the rarest animals in the world. @Douglas_Neasloss, Chief councilor and stewardship director of Klemtu within the Kitasoo/Xai'xais Nation, informed us of the victory just last night after a joint proposal was submitted by each nation. While the fight to defend BC’s ancient forests is far from over, this triumph for both First Nations and our planet stands as a testimony to the power of collaboration across cultures. @PaulNicklen and I have had the incredible honor of photographing these elusive forest spirits under the guidance of Douglas Neasloss and Marven Robinson @gitgaatspirit. I cannot tell you how grateful and thrilled I am to know that these beautiful animals may continue to thrive for years to come. #spiritbear #firstnations #greatbearrainforest #hope

Falling into a bed of golden grass, a young Tzotzil boy from the highlands of Chiapas gives me the biggest smile. If we measure wealth by the price tags on our clothes and cars, then we will never have “enough”. Fueled by a gnawing hunger, we destroy entire forests in the pursuit of more, and yet we are still left empty. In the meantime, the gap between the haves and have-nots continues to grow as the greed of the few robs and decimates the lives of many. However, if we were to measure wealth by the depth of our connection to the natural world or the love we feel from the people around us, what would “enough” look like then? If this is resonating with you, then please join me on September 18 at NEC's @thephotographyshow for my talk on “Enoughness.” Click the link in my bio to purchase tickets and use the code SPKTPS22 for an additional 20% off. #thephotographyshow #ukphotoshow #ukphoto&videoshow

When my friend @jeremiahfraites personally invites @mitty and me to a @thelumineers concert in Vancouver tonight, we graciously accept. Cannot wait to see you and the @thelumineers perform live Jer and to finally meet @wesleyschultz, @francesca_laz and the band. And, most of all, to sing out loud to songs that I love. It is always fun in life to go from fan to friend and tonight we get to celebrate. A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Jer on the release of his wonderful single, Maggie! It was so much fun to put our brown bear footage from Alaska to his 4 minute masterpiece. I hope you enjoy it also and sadly @instagram is the wrong platform to view this although here it is nonetheless. Filmed on assignment for @sealegacy with @samkretch @andymaser and @kyle.roepke. Edited by our incredible team at @sealegacy studios. #gratitude #bears #Maggie #TheLumineers

Do you have an ocean story of your own? Perhaps a story from the first time you ever saw a sea turtle? Or maybe you have a tale or two about your favorite ocean places from your childhood? We’d love to read it in the comments below! A sea turtle’s story begins beneath the sand alongside up to 180 siblings all waiting to hatch at the same time. Once the hatching process begins, the baby turtles all work to dig themselves out of the nest and race for the horizon. The lucky few who make it to the water are swept off on an epic journey across oceans. It's likely this green sea turtle spent years soaring along the Gulf Stream all the way to the Sargasso Sea before returning to its home in the Bahamas. Everything has a story behind it. But the art of storytelling is uniquely human. We alone are the authors and keepers of our planet’s library— crafting its narrative from rock layers, ancient bones, and clues etched in stone from some of the world’s earliest storytellers. For those of us here at SeaLegacy, there is no story more important or interconnected than the story of our ocean. It is only through the act of telling the ocean’s story- from its formation almost 4 billion years ago to its current state from decades of human activity- can we hope to understand and heal it. That’s why we send our storytellers across the seas in search of ocean narratives— we listen to the story of our planet and elevate the voices protecting its ocean heart and legacy. 📹 video by @paulnicklen cover photo by @mitty #storytelling #seaturtle #oceanconservation #turningthetide

@Mitty SeaLegacy co-founder and storyteller / “Why storytelling?” It’s a question I get all the time from scientists, activists, and fellow conservationists. When @PaulNicklen and I first founded @SeaLegacy along with @andy_mann, our dream was to ignite a global movement to restore our planet by sharing ocean stories. We had spent years in the company of some of the brightest minds in the world working to save our seas, but no one was listening to them. Hard evidence, climate patterns, and numbers are the backbone that forms the best environmental policies. But science alone is not what sends voters flocking to the polls or activists racing to defend our planet’s endangered wildlife. That kind of action comes from emotion; from the sharp anger that arises in the face of injustice to the bright spark of hope that keeps us reaching, against all odds, for a better future. We tell the stories that bridge the scientist to the policymaker to you– the people. From there, we can write the story of a healthy, thriving ocean. #storytelling #oceanconservation #orca #30before30

An American crocodile cracks its best and toothiest smile for my camera in Cuba’s emerald shallows. From the gharial with its needle nose to the black caiman of the Amazon, I have always been fascinated by our planet’s 23 species of crocodilians. That is why Steve Irwin’s popular show #TheCrocodileHunter was a constant presence in my home when my kids were growing up, sending them into giggling fits with every “Crikey!” and teaching them to love all animals– not just the fluffy ones. Crocodiles have been relentlessly hunted and pushed out of their ancestral waters around the globe, leaving their fresh and saltwater ecosystems vulnerable to collapse. I strive to create images that spark curiosity and respect for these important animals to combat the stigma surrounding them. That’s why I’m so honored to be a judge for @AustraliaZoo’s annual Crikey! magazine photography competition. The contest invites artists from around the world to showcase the beauty of wildlife and inspire others to protect it. Click the link in my bio to learn more. With @cameraproau @robertirwinphotography #photocompetition #photocontest #wildlifephotography #conservationphotography #crocodile

Photos and words by @mitty // "The next chapter of life on earth will be defined by the actions we take now. To realize what's possible, the ocean must be at the top of our list of solutions. Mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs are some of the most important ecosystems on the planet. And yet, we have lost 50% of these productive ecosystems. Marine ecosystems are a critically important asset in our economy and a key component of our planetary wealth. We need scientists, their knowledge, their stories, and their unique efforts and experiences to work shoulder-to-shoulder with governments and community leaders to protect our blue natural capital. That is our wealth as humanity." Last week's UN Ocean Conference 2022 unveiled unparalleled strides forward in lifting ocean solutions to new heights. World leaders, scientists, business pioneers, ocean advocates, and conservations came together to scale up ocean action, explore innovative solutions, and honor the ocean as the partner we need to combat our current environmental challenges. The Earth holds a bounty of solutions to successfully and proactively address climate change. Every moment of each day the ocean displays its strength, resilience, and readiness to be an endless resource to all life on this blue planet. We just need to open our eyes to see it and give our seas a chance to thrive. From carbon capture, oxygen production, food provisions, climate regulation, biodiversity fortification, and so much more — all these areas are supported by the ocean's very existence. It is up to us to recognize its importance and the incredible value it bestows to all corners of our lives whether you reside at the tips of the seas, sandy plains, or on the tops of the mountains. It is all connected. And the #UNOC2022 was an incredible start to our next chapter on Earth. #TurningTheTide #30before30 #oceansolutions #bluecarbon #bluenaturalcapital

As the daily barrage of doomsday headlines likes to remind me, our living planet is not doing well. Communities across the world must contend with fires, floods, and famine on top of an ominous future promising more climate-related catastrophes. The greatest threats against our world are knocking on our door. It’s time to rise and meet them. This past week, I had the incredible honor of meeting with the greatest minds in ocean science and policy to do just that. I witnessed firsthand as @ivanduquemarquez officially announced the expansion of Colombia’s marine protected areas (MPAs) to an astounding 37%. Panama followed with their commitment to protecting 40% of their seas. The Bahamas then declared the discovery of the world’s largest seagrass bed and their visionary leadership in creating the first, truly blue economy. As the UN secretary-general reminded us, the road ahead is a rocky one– and it's the only road we have. We must protect and rewild our ocean by 2030 and we must do it together. #30before30 #oceansolutions #bluecarbon #bluenaturalcapital

'Suspended Grace' and @Mitty’s 'Unbreakable Bond' / My background in science stubbornly insists that I keep from assigning human attributes and values to wildlife. Yet all it takes is one minute in the presence of our ocean’s great cetaceans and suddenly the boundaries between human and animal seem arbitrary- even laughable. Feelings of love and joy, or the simple bliss of a good long nap after a meal, have never belonged to people alone. Whales are highly communicative, have their own cultures, and share deep bonds with their families. The more time @mitty and I spend with them, the more connected we feel to the everyday lives of our wild kin and to the ocean we share. Through the lens of art, it is our hope to share that connection with you for the good of the planet. View and learn more about both pieces using the link in my bio or visit paulnicklen.com or cristinamittermeier.com respectively. #art #photography #theocean #spermwhale #whales #blackandwhite

Peering through my mask into the sprawling meadow below, I searched the long, swaying blades for the tiniest stirrings of life. Seagrass beds shelter mollusks, little crustaceans, and other, often overlooked members of the ocean community. They also serve as the foraging grounds for manatees, rays, and sea turtles, supporting a bustling ecosystem of marine life. With the discovery of the nearly 93,000 square kilometer underwater meadow off the Bahamas, our ocean now has a fighting chance to recover as the nation surges forward towards a nature-based, blue economy. We are closer than ever to creating a world where future generations may thrive as a part of a healthy, living planet— we just need to hold onto the hope and the courage to keep reaching for it. @btwaves @sealegacy #bluecarbon #blueeconomy #naturalcapital #keepthehope @draustingallagher @carlosduartephd

@Mitty / Incredible news!! The Bahamas has just announced the discovery of the world’s largest seagrass bed off Bahamian shores! The 93,000 square kilometer meadow rekindles hope for an ocean nation battling on the frontlines of climate change. Through equitable, science-based management and the development of the world’s first blue carbon market, the country is now poised to lead the global fight against the climate crisis while strengthening its economies, communities, and invaluable marine ecosystems. I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations and immense gratitude to The Bahamas for their leadership and to our dedicated partners who made today’s announcement a reality. This is a pivotal moment that marks the start of embracing Blue Capital as a solution to creating a thriving blue economy for all. Click the link in my bio to learn more. @btwaves @carlosduartephd @draustingallagher @sealegacy @conservationorg @nature_org @pewenvironment @gef_global_environment @minderoofoundation @bluemarinefoundation @mitty @paulnicklen @andy_mann @donabertarelli @dr.sylviaearle @max_bello @salesforce @opmthebahamas @oceanbornfoundation @unoceandecade

Photos by @pedromcbride / My friend @pedromcbride is releasing a new photography book that delivers us into the heart of our planet’s last remaining pockets of quiet peace. Since the dawn of the Industrial Age, the thrum of our natural world has slowly given way to the chaos and noise of congestion and pollution. Pete McBride’s “Seeing Silence” takes us on a pole-to-pole journey in the pursuit of quietude - far away from the man-made sounds that define our generation. I’ve known Pete for many years. His passion for protecting some of our planet’s wildest places and empowering the communities who call those places home is contagious. I can’t wait to get ahold of this new book and be inspired by its pages. Click the link in my bio to purchase your own copy today. #seeingsilence