Ralph Pace’s Image
Ralph Pace (USA) beautifully illuminates the egg case of a swell shark, tethered to the base of a giant kelp.
Faced with strong currents pushing him from side to side, Ralph struggled to keep steady to photograph this egg case, or ‘mermaid’s purse’.
He lit the case from behind to reveal the swell shark embryo within. Its gill slits and yolk sac are clearly visible among the dark kelp forest.
Researchers estimate that kelp forests in Monterey Bay have declined by more than 95% over the past 34 years.
This makes swell sharks vulnerable because they depend on kelp to lay their leathery eggs.