Honorable Mention Marine Life Behavior

Ines Goovaerts

"Piggyback"

The Story:

This was an incredibly special encounter, as it was the first time in my life that I had the privilege of photographing a dugong. While free-diving in the Red Sea near Marsa Alam, Egypt, this serene individual appeared, gliding effortlessly through the water. He spent his time grazing on seagrass, chasing green sea turtles out of his territory, and rising to the surface for air. Then, unexpectedly, he laid himself sideways on the seafloor and began rolling around, much like a puppy scratching an itch. Despite his eternal smile suggesting otherwise, this male dugong seemed visibly annoyed by the dozen remoras hitching a free ride on him. Being listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, sightings of dugongs are incredibly rare. Observing and capturing this natural behavior felt like a profound privilege, especially knowing that their remaining isolated population along the shores of the Red Sea is estimated to be just 2,000 individuals. Encounters like this are a powerful reminder of the wonders that still thrive in our oceans. They underscore how precious these fleeting moments are and how vital it is to protect their habitats to safeguard their future.

Location:

Red Sea, Marsa Alam, Egypt

Equipment Used:

• Canon EOS D5 Mark III / Housing: Aquatech Imaging Solutions / Natural Light
• no strobes / Lens: Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Fisheye

Camera Settings:

• f/11
• 1/1000
• ISO 3200