During the course of another two years I took things much further, I decided that a film about her was not enough, Maxine could do a lot more toward raising awareness about the plight of sharks, she could become the icon for a shark conservation programme I designed that would include scientific research, education and awareness. Over a number of months more I established AfriOceans Conservation Alliance, and developed the Maxine, Science, Education and Awareness Programme, M-Sea for short. After much effort, and many rejections, I finally managed to secure funding for the Programme from the Save Our Seas Foundation. Five years after first meeting Maxine, and after she had spent nine years in captivity, she was released in March 2004. Satellite tagging and releasing a raggedtooth shark was a first for the world - Maxine became famous and I succeeded in raising awareness and changing perceptions about sharks. We have since released another 3 sharks and tagged wild sharks to compare the movements of the animals - go to www.aoca.org.za for more about this exciting project. I have made a 3-part series about my work with Maxine for national television, as well as a one hour documentary, which has yet to be broadcast. Today I don't know if Maxine is still alive, I do hope so. She is a very special animal that was the catalyst that made me change my life, for the better. I know I did the same for her. We had much in common, Maxine and I, we were both going around in circles, she at the aquarium, me on the treadmill of the corporate industry, both not where we belonged. Meeting each other helped us to break free, literally for Maxine when she was returned to the ocean, and symbolically for me as I pursued my passion in marine conservation. Big steps for us both, lots of challenges as we followed our separate paths, Maxine as she returned to travel her migration path along our coast, while I followed a path in conservation, filled with many unknowns. One day I will write that book about two journeys that ran parallel, hers and mine... Sharks in Deep Trouble Wins its SEVENTH AWARD!
Watch this amazing and informative documentary from Shark and Marine Conservationist, Lesley Rochat WHY SHARKS? This question I am often asked and my answer is simple: I never decided on sharks, they decided on me. It goes like this: one day while photographing in the predator exhibit at the Two Oceans Aquarium with my good friend Geoff Spiby, I met a shark named Maxine. I wanted to get some good shots of sharks for an article I was writing on the plight of sharks. There were five sharks in the tank but Maxine stood out for me, she had a scar around her gills. Upon investigating how she got the scar I realised that she had an extraordinary story, one that encapsulates the plight of sharks, and that she could play a pivotal role in shark conservation. From that day on many things changed and happened for both Maxine and me. I would influence Maxine eventually being set free, while I packed up my well paying corporate job and began trying to raise funds to make a film about Maxine's unique story. During the course of another two years I took things much further, I decided that a film about her was not enough, Maxine could do a lot more toward raising awareness about the plight of sharks, she could become the icon for a shark conservation programme I designed that would include scientific research, education and awareness. Over a number of months more I established AfriOceans Conservation Alliance, and developed the Maxine, Science, Education and Awareness Programme, M-Sea for short. After much effort, and many rejections, I finally managed to secure funding for the Programme from the Save Our Seas Foundation. Five years after first meeting Maxine, and after she had spent nine years in captivity, she was released in March 2004. Satellite tagging and releasing a raggedtooth shark was a first for the world - Maxine became famous and I succeeded in raising awareness and changing perceptions about sharks. We have since released another 3 sharks and tagged wild sharks to compare the movements of the animals - go to www.aoca.org.za for more about this exciting project. I have made a 3-part series about my work with Maxine for national television, as well as a one hour documentary, which has yet to be broadcast. Today I don't know if Maxine is still alive, I do hope so. She is a very special animal that was the catalyst that made me change my life, for the better. I know I did the same for her. We had much in common, Maxine and I, we were both going around in circles, she at the aquarium, me on the treadmill of the corporate industry, both not where we belonged. Meeting each other helped us to break free, literally for Maxine when she was returned to the ocean, and symbolically for me as I pursued my passion in marine conservation. Big steps for us both, lots of challenges as we followed our separate paths, Maxine as she returned to travel her migration path along our coast, while I followed a path in conservation, filled with many unknowns. One day I will write that book about two journeys that ran parallel, hers and mine...
During the course of another two years I took things much further, I decided that a film about her was not enough, Maxine could do a lot more toward raising awareness about the plight of sharks, she could become the icon for a shark conservation programme I designed that would include scientific research, education and awareness. Over a number of months more I established AfriOceans Conservation Alliance, and developed the Maxine, Science, Education and Awareness Programme, M-Sea for short. After much effort, and many rejections, I finally managed to secure funding for the Programme from the Save Our Seas Foundation. Five years after first meeting Maxine, and after she had spent nine years in captivity, she was released in March 2004. Satellite tagging and releasing a raggedtooth shark was a first for the world - Maxine became famous and I succeeded in raising awareness and changing perceptions about sharks. We have since released another 3 sharks and tagged wild sharks to compare the movements of the animals - go to www.aoca.org.za for more about this exciting project. I have made a 3-part series about my work with Maxine for national television, as well as a one hour documentary, which has yet to be broadcast. Today I don't know if Maxine is still alive, I do hope so. She is a very special animal that was the catalyst that made me change my life, for the better. I know I did the same for her. We had much in common, Maxine and I, we were both going around in circles, she at the aquarium, me on the treadmill of the corporate industry, both not where we belonged. Meeting each other helped us to break free, literally for Maxine when she was returned to the ocean, and symbolically for me as I pursued my passion in marine conservation. Big steps for us both, lots of challenges as we followed our separate paths, Maxine as she returned to travel her migration path along our coast, while I followed a path in conservation, filled with many unknowns. One day I will write that book about two journeys that ran parallel, hers and mine... 