SIMS HONOURS PHOTOJOURNALIST BRIAN SKERRY WITH 2012 EMERALD AWARD
National Geographic Underwater Photographer is Sydney Institute of Marine Science Honouree
Sydney: His stories for National Geographic magazine over the past 15 years have covered the harp seal’s struggle to survive in frozen waters to the alarming decrease in the world’s fisheries along with the plight of the right whale, the state of the world’s remaining pristine coral reefs and the future of sharks, sea turtles and squid.
It is this dedication to raising awareness of marine habitats and wildlife in our oceans that sees US photojournalist Brian Skerry awarded the prestigious Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) Emerald Award for 2012.
“Brian Skerry’s extraordinary ability to document the underwater world and communicate the importance of its ecosystems to a global audience is unrivalled.
“We are delighted to induct Brian Skerry as an Emerald Award honouree as it is only through telling and documenting these important stories about our marine environment that individuals, communities, businesses and governments will take the necessary actions to protect and preserve it for the future,” Professor Peter Steinberg, director of SIMS said.
Brian Skerry will be presented with the Emerald Award at the SIMS Emerald Dinner at Sergeant’s Mess, Chowder Bay, Mosman this evening, Tuesday 9 October, 2012.
In accepting the award, Brian Skerry said:
“The oceans are in trouble. There are some serious problems out there that I believe are not clear to many people.
“My hope is to continually find new ways of creating images and stories that both celebrate the sea yet also highlight environmental problems. Photography can be a powerful instrument for change.”
Mr Skerry has been in Sydney to speak at National Geographic Live! held at the Sydney Opera House this past weekend. His presentation focused on his latest book, Ocean Soul, released by National Geographic Books (Nov 2011).
Each year the SIMS Emerald Dinner, supported by Sergeants Mess and Delatite Wines honours an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to our understanding of the marine environment. The first honouree in 2011 was “Her Deepness” Dr Sylvia Earle.
