The 300 spectacular photographs in Call of the Blue are the culmination of a five-year project by photographer and ocean conservationist Philip Hamilton to witness and photograph marine life around the world. This groundbreaking and inspirational book showcases contributions from acclaimed scientists and notable ocean “guardians” who share their lives, passions and exploits on, in or under the ocean and reveal what drove them to answer the call of the blue.
Watching and recording the gradual dismantling of life, beauty and diversity in our oceans is a torturous experience for scientists. Our oceans function as earth’s organs and our survival depends on their health. Yet in the last fifty years half of coral reefs have disappeared, only 10% of large fish remain and many species are at the brink of collapse. Unsustainable fishing practices, pollution (including 20 million tonnes of plastic entering the oceans yearly) and rising temperatures are continued threats. Even as the sense of urgency to save our oceans continues to grow, at the time we publish this book, an estimate of only 2% of all global philanthropic and charitable donations go to protecting the environment. Of this, only a tiny fraction go toward supporting and safeguarding our oceans.
Brimming with spectacular, full-page photography of underwater scenes from the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic oceans and many seas, Call of the Blue tells the stories of positive, focused people who are working to save our oceans. The first book of its kind, Call of the Blue unites more than 100 modern-day explorers, sailors, free divers, film-makers, lawmakers and conservationists and demonstrates how the efforts of individuals and communities can inspire and drive change.
Notable contributors include United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse; BBC presenter and explorer Paul Rose, Danish environmentalist and Director General of the IUCN Inger Andersen, French photojournalist and UNEP Goodwill Ambassador Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Australian coral reef biologist J.E.N “Charlie” Veron, American cetacean scientist and conservationist Roger Payne (who first recorded and analysed humpback whale song) and American scientist and founder of the Wild Dolphin Project Denise Herzing (to name only a few).
Alongside these passionate and necessary voices, Philip Hamilton’s mesmerising images (of reefs, blue whales, saltwater crocodiles, manatees, sea lions, sailfish, penguin, mantas, jellyfish, turtles, sharks, pygmy sea horses and more) provide readers a glimpse of some of the world’s most stunning underwater locations, bringing into sharp focus all we are at risk to lose.
Edition: 2018
