CRAIG PARRY
COLLABOROCEANS
RAISING AWARENESS OF OUR OCEANS
Each year I celebrate "World Oceans Day." It's a day to raise awareness around the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and a chance to mobilise and unite the world on a project for the sustainable management of our oceans. Today I am a proud ambassador of Lowepro and CollaborOceans, together we promote sustainability concern & be environmental ambassadors. I want to use the power of my photography to encourage the culture of sustainability advocacy in the next generation and show our commitment to sustainability.
COLLABOROCEANS
In 2021, I was honoured to have been invited to join a select group of artists and conservationists to become an ambassador for "CollaborOceans". The initiative led by Creatives Collaborating for Ocean Conservation saw our work exhibited on the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House for the evening, which was a massive highlight of my career.
"DESPITE ALL OF ITS POWER, DIVERSITY AND BENEFITS, THE OCEAN IS NOW IN NEED OF SUPPORT.
THE CONVERSATION IS IMPORTANT."
- Craig Parry
MY MISSION
This year I was able to visit and document two of my favourite places on earth, Hawaii and Indonesia, thanks to the support of Lowepro. My mission is to connect the youth of today to the ocean, and with this connection, whether through my imagery or experience, I believe this will encourage a lifelong advocacy for protecting our marine environment.
My first stop is one of my favourite places on earth, Hawaii.
OAHU, HAWAII
Diving off the coast of Oahu is something I look forward to each time I visit, and sharing this with my family made it extra special. This was my 5 year old son Leo’s first underwater dolphin and turtle experience, and his little mind was blown away. Watching his fascination and love for the ocean grow with every underwater encounter makes me understand how important it is to expose children to nature.
On the last few days left on Oahu, I had the opportunity to join my good friends "Ocean" and "Juan" for a shark swim. Their company, "One Ocean Diving," is a shark encounter and swim program on the North Shore of Oahu. I couldn’t believe when they told me 90 million sharks are killed each year throughout the world.
Why does swimming with sharks help? Because it replaces the fear people have about sharks with the curiosity and respect they deserve. You understand they are not out there to eat humans, but are an important part of the marine ecosystem. I like to think of them as the white blood cells of the ocean.
PADANG, INDONESIA
On the other side of the world and back to Indonesian I headed to the city of Padang a port and transfer hub for the surf Mecca the Mentawai Islands. The lack of education on waste management and plastic pollution throughout the river systems sees our oceans being compromised. I couldn’t believe all this plastic was washing straight out into the ocean. I move from pollution chaos to paradise in a matter of hours to the Mentawai Islands. It's hard to believe that it is only 50km west of Padang and is this pristine location which is under threat from the mainland.
INSPIRE EACH OTHER
The ocean covers over 70% of the planet. It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth. The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen. It is home to most of the earth’s biodiversity. And it is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. The ocean is also key to our economy, with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.
I'm inviting you to think about how, as an individual, you can have a positive impact upon the health of our ocean, then start implementing your ideas today. Together, small and sustainable actions can have a huge impact. The fact that Lowepro shares your exact same values/mission of respecting the environment, which is at the core of our collab, makes it the perfect partnership.
So let’s inspire others to protect the environment and become environmental ambassadors through the special art we call photography and filmmaking.
CRAIG PARRY
Global Sony Ambassador Craig Parry is an international, multi award winning nature photographer based in Byron Bay, Australia. Specialising in adventure, aerial and nature photography, Craig strives to capture the world’s environment and connect his audience with nature to promote conservation.
