Porpoises in Denmark
Interview DenmarkThe Dutch National Geographic Magazine will feature an article about porpoises, beginning of next year. Peter was asked to take the pictures. So we traveled to Fjord & Baelt in Denmark, where 4 rescued porpoises live in a fenced off part of the harbour. We received a warm welcome by the friendly and professional staff. As porpoises are extremely shy, entering the water was a definite no-no. Peter had to stay on the jetty, and attached the camera to a specially made metal pole. After a few days (!) the animals decided they would start to like the camera. The pictures are absolutely fantastic, but cannot be shown before next year due to the arrangements with National Geographic. Peter was even interviewed about his work by the local Danish television station, and you can watch a short clip by clicking on the link below.

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Ghostfishing
GhostfishingGhostfishing is a major problem in the Dutch North Sea. Nets and lines can go on 'fishing' for decades, and be covered in dead fish, that attract other creatures that get stuck in the nets. Some wrecks are fully covered, void of marine life, and have lost their function as an artificial reef. 'Duik de Noordzee Schoon', a Dutch project, has been organizing free dives for experienced divers to clean the wrecks for over three years. They asked Peter as a photographer to take more pictures of the wrecks for a book, to be published end of this year. Underwater Magic, our company, will arrange the graphic design and production of the book.
Another threat for the wrecks is the salvaging of metals. Officially forbidden by Dutch law, but still a common practice. The wrecks, most of them seaman's graves, are torn apart ruthlessly, and the unique biotopes of protected marine species are destroyed... Peter, Georgina, Klaudie and Ben decided it was time for major press coverage, and arranged for an interview with the largest Dutch newspaper in Holland, De Telegraaf (800,000 copies). Two Saturdays later, a full-page article in colour was published, with Peter's pictures.
After several years of emails, minor publications etc. by several other concerned citizens, that unfortunately never had any effect, the Dutch gouvernment has finally taken action!

View the article as a PDF file...
Our new book about sharks is a hit!
Sharks Close EncountersIn February, we published Sharks, Close Encounters (in Dutch: Haaien, Bijzondere Belevenissen). The book is very well received, and there have been over thirty positive reviews in magazines and newspapers, and many more on websites. We are extremely happy with the result, and the book has found many enthousiastic readers as well!
One of the reviews that really made us smile, was an article in De Telegraaf. The reporter had seen Peters 'Adventure with a Tiger Shark on several websites (watch it at YouTube), and asked us many questions. It took a while before he was convinced sharks are not the dangerous, frightening creatures every thinks.
The article in the Telegraaf was well read, and we got lots of mails, thanking us for picturing sharks as the beautiful, 'normal' predators. And that's what our book is all about! Sharks have given us some of the most beautiful memories of our diving career, and we never get tired of watching them.

View the article as a PDF file...

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