PHOTO OF GREEK “MASKED” SEAHORSE WINS AWARD, REVEALS GRIM REALITY OF POLLUTION

Mon 20 September 2021:

A seahorse floats along with a face mask stuck in its tail against the backdrop of a gorgeous aquamarine sea. Nikos Samaras, a Greek photographer and diver, shot this fascinating — and terrifying — image, which has now been shortlisted for the “Ocean Photography 2021” award.

A photo of a seahorse dragging a face mask, exposes the disturbing reality of how human-induced pollution is affecting the aquatic world.

The shot was taken in the waters of Stratoni Halkidikis in northern Greece, around 90 minutes from Thessaloniki, by Greek photographer Nicholas Samaras.

His photograph was chosen from a pool of 3,500 entries in the competition’s category of “Conservation Photographer of the Year,” which challenged photographers to capture the difficulties facing the planet.

In a Facebook post, Samaras said that he captured the photo during one of his “regular dives with the intent to photograph the rich biodiversity of the seabed of the northern Aegean” when he “noticed a mask floating in the background.”

“Out of curiosity, I went closer and then I understood. A rare seahorse had caught the elastic band of the mask in its tail and was struggling to swim. After I photographed him, I released him safely…. Unfortunately, the biggest problem on the planet is not climate change. Our own actions are to blame,” he said.

Protecting the environment is a part of Samaras’ dedication to the seas. He states on his website “It is in not a passion. It is a way of life.” For Samaras his work is not just a job. His innovative ideas have transformed him from a dedicated diver into a noted underwater photographer.

“I was shocked and disappointed with the image, but I had to maintain my composure to elicit the shot. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have seen dozens of discarded masks and plastic gloves floating in the sea,” he added, in a bid to raise awareness of the extent of the pollution caused by humankind.

Samaras went on to say on Facebook that Greek seahorses could only be found in Stratoni, the location where he took the award-winning photo.

“At the bottom of this area of Stratoni is the only known colony of seahorses in Greece,” he said. “People should know that. Despite this peculiarity, despite the fact that it is a place that needs protection, it is also a place that is under attack, from fishing, from the mines and finally from COVID-19.”

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