Photography is one of the most powerful tools used in influencing and changing perspectives. All across social media are images that move the emotion range from tugging at heartstrings to enraging the senses. So when one photographer needed to convey the message of the threats to ocean life she turned to photography.

A few months ago in a post titled Jelly Fish Soup, artist Christine Beggs worked with a team to create image specific to bring awareness of overfishing. Beggs is back at it with a powerful message about discarded fishing nets and the threats they carry.

In the video Beggs states, “that a single abandoned fishing net can last for up to 400 years in the ocean – tangling and killing marine life and coral reefs.” They are called ghost nets however Beggs refers to them as silent killers. When fishing vessels abandon or lose their nets or other gear it will cause a major impact for the marine life and ocean ecosystems.

With the widespread access to multi social medias, it is not uncommon for images to be seen of ocean life struggling in these ghost nets such as manta rays, sharks, and sea turtles. Beggs work is to help generate awareness of not just what has been done, but rather how people can help stop it and recover what already has taken place. She feels this is not just an ocean issue but a human issue as well.

As such, the idea of this shoot was to use people to highlight the struggle, pain, and resignation that these nets cause in the ocean – whether tangling life or being ingested. To create emotionally-evocative, eerie yet awe-inspiring, underwater photos to bring mass attention to this issue, and its solutions.

Partnering with photographer Jose Cano, Beggs created this series in his underwater studio in Nelson New Zealand. The pair met during a Kickstarter campaign Beggs was running for the series which did not get fully funded. With little hope that the series would be obtainable, Cano flew Beggs out to his studio for a few shooting opportunities.

The safety issues on this particular project were most anticipated and unsettling with the concept of being tied and tangled in the netting. The team created safety precautions as well as Beggs stating, “you just have to push yourself past our fears sometimes to make things that matter to you happen.” Between the makeup artists, costume design, and multiple models on set, the image of Beggs dream was coming to life.

Beggs continues to pursue ways to bring conservation and awareness to mainstream. She has a second series launching end of July, titled the 11th Hour about raising awareness on climate change.

To stop derelict gear being left in the first place, requires international policy change and regulations and monitoring of the fishing industry – which I tentatively have a media colleague on board to create a tangential coverage piece on that side of the ghost fishing solutions.

Beggs has asked readers to a 30 day challenge to spread the word about business that are turning reclaimed ghost nets into sustainable products. These companies are working to train fisherman to reclaim lost gear and then regenerating nylon waste into new material products. These products range from skateboards to swimwear.

The following are solution partners

All images are courtesy of and used with permission from the following team:

Art direction: Christine Ren, Christine Ren Films
Photography: Jose G. Cano, Jose G. Cano Photography
Underwater models: Christine Ren, Emma Porteous, Moana Mink
MUA/ hair: Kungy Gay Cano
Studio manager: Emma Porteous
Assistants: Caroline Trembath, Brad Watt