A large male humpback lets out an explosive plume of bubbles obscuring a mother and her calf in a quick pass in the clear waters off Tonga. This large male, (roughly 13 meters, 45 feet) is covered in scars from battle for mating rights, with other males.

Karim Iliya

Karim is a professional underwater photographer and Aerial Cinematographer living on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Growing up in the Middle East and Asia, Karim lives a nomadic lifestyle with a focus on photographing wildlife and marine environments to help increase awareness and an appreciation of our delicate ecosystems on Earth.  

www.karimphotography.com
karimiliya@gmail.com
instagram: karimiliya

SEVENSEAS Media Conservation Photography

SEVENSEAS Media publishes some of the world’s best and most famous photographers, videographers, and artists. Some professional, some amateur, some first timers, and even a growing Instagram community. We all have one thing in common, a shared goal of visually telling a story and preserving what we have left of our natural world. 

If you want to publish with us, online or in monthly issue, just shoot an email to info@sevenseasmedia.org. Also follow and tag @SEVENSEAS_Media on Instagram for a chance to be featured as Photo of the Week.  Contributors never loose rights to artwork. 

Check out the latest articles and photography on SEVENSEAS Media here. You can take a break and check out some art on the SEVENSEAS Media Gallery here. 

Would you like to get in touch with questions or a submission? Contact us here.

Cambodia is going to need some planning first. One recommendation is to pick up a hard copy travel book like Lonely Planet for before and during your trip. Internet can be patchy especially if you are on the road, so sometimes it is nice to have hard copy info at your fingertips.  If you have limited time, here is a rough sketch of a quick itinerary: 1-3 days around Phnom Penh on your way in and out; at least 2 full days in Siem Reap, but you can push that closer to a week if you explore a few nearby sights; and 2 days at the beach.

In and around Phnom Penh

Tourists say they would rather skip the city because of reviews dating back a few years, but if you know where to go you will be pleasantly surprised. The hipster bar and restaurant scene is something that can rival venues in any other city. Try Long After Dark (#86, St 450 Russian Market), Zeppelin Cafe (#13 St 278), Bar Sito (32EO, Street 240, down the alley), and BattBong (132 Z13, 51 St 55), pictured above, to get started but between now and next month I am sure a handful of other cool places will open their doors.

There is a short list of sights to see in town from a temple or two, the Grand Palace, museums, and some cool parks. Check them all out on a day-long walking or tuk-tuk tour. Just remember comfortable shoes and an umbrella if you are approaching rainy season.

Outside of Phnom Penh you will discover nature like you have never seen before. Jungle, rivers, mountains, beaches, and everything in between. You will have the opportunity to get up close to wildlife but please please do your research first. Cambodia is a hotbed for wildlife trafficking. One organization I love that does some fantastic work is the Wildlife Alliance where you can do a day long behind the scenes tour of the facilities where they rehabilitate and release injured animals (commonly caught in snares or injured through poaching). From gibbons to elephants you can see your favorite animals up close and leave a lasting tribute to an organization that does so much good.

The five best beaches in Cambodia

Development has been sparse and sporadic in Cambodia – and Thailand has attracted more of the big box hotels – which offers you a much more unique experience where you get to discover your own little piece of vacation paradise. Maybe a home-stay or stretch of beach that no one has ever even written about before.

Our favorite beaches in Cambodia are:

1. Long Set Beach, Koh Rong
2. Southwestern Beach, Koh Rong
3. Sokha Beach, Sihanoukville
4. Lazy Beach, Koh Rong Saloem
5. Koh Thmei beach, Ream National Park

Research a little before you go just in case there is some new crazy development but to make everything easier: Just head to Koh Rong (pictured above by Aaron Bradford). It is absolutely stunning with mile after mile of uninterrupted white sand.

Siem Reap has everything you might be looking for

With Angkor Wat one of the most unique tourist attractions in the world, nearby Siem Reap has evolved to cater to the influx of visitors. From high-end boutiques to dive gay bars, you will find it all. Still with the rustic charm of unpaved roads and tropical foliage growing out of cracks in the buildings.

The food is absolutely amazing so be sure to try it all. The markets have souvenirs at prices you will not be able to imagine – and if you have the space, by some handmade furniture to take back with you.

You can definitely spend a whole day or two or three in Siem Reap but Angkor Wat and surrounding temples are likely going to grab your attention. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world measuring 162.6 hectares (402 acres). It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple of god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire then transforming into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. I recommend getting a guided tour no matter how much you like to explore on your own. A tour will get you to some lesser known corners and the occasional tuk-tuk ride will really be welcomed when you have been on your feet all day.

Pack your water, sunhat, and a camera. This is one of the most marvelous places you will ever set foot in.

That is just scratching the surface

As you can imagine there are reams of agendas you can follow and so many far off places to go explore in Cambodia. This is just the tip of the iceberg to get you started. Whether you like backpacking and discovering along the way or having each day planned out, do some basic research so you know  you are travelling in the most sustainable and responsible way.

Giacomo Abrusci, Executive Director, SEVENSEAS Media

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It is nearly 2018, the vast majority of businesses are connected through the internet, we are accustomed to maintaining relationships with friends and family through our smart phones, and an election was heavily influenced by social interactions on  Facebook. Social media and mobile technology are ubiquitous and have have never been more important in how we conduct business and communicate – this is especially true in the conservation world . Navigating the digital world may seem daunting at times, but if you know how to harness these tools effectively you can catalyze your organization’s impact.

Changing the world while sitting at your desk.

Being an effective communicator, especially through digital media, is of paramount importance for getting your message out to the world. In fact, one could argue it is the only way to get your message out. Consider that the global mobile subscriber base will reach 5.6 billion by the end of the decade, by which point over 70% of the world’s population will have a mobile subscription.

In order to effectively convey the importance of our work and raise the profile of conservation efforts worldwide, we need to engage with these digital citizens. We have an opportunity to influence the global community with a stroke of a keyboard and the click of a mouse. This extraordinary potential needs to be utilized effectively so that we continue to change minds and engender action for a better, greener, and  more sustainable world.   

So where does one begin to engage with this digital world? The simplest and easiest way to reach out is to read and share good information. The more you talk to people about environmental affairs, the more you will realize that many of the problems, let alone the solutions, are completely unknown. So start by reaching across the aisle (whatever your aisle might be) and sharing credible information. A clip from BBC’s Planet Earth or photography of ecosystems a world away never disappoint in sparking some interest. Demonstrate your knowledge and willingness to respectfully educate. Remember, screaming “STOP THE SLAUGHTER OF ANIMALS” may not get you far, it may even get you blocked. But an intelligent infographic on cattle farming and greenhouse gasses will raise some eyebrows and might open the door to conversation.To the extent possible, try to do your own research, write your own content make your own media, and share it.

When you are ready to take that next step, here are some  tools  you (or your organization) will need for effective communication.

1. 

   A willingness to create original content. From photography, to video, to writing. There are hundreds of free tools, tutorials, and courses online to get you started.

2. A platform. Personal social media accounts are a great start. Define your message, promote it, and cultivate your following.
3. An optimized communications strategy. Unfortunately you will learn that you can create the most amazing content but if it doesn’t reach anyone, it doesn’t do anything. This will involve creating relevant content, having airtight SEO (search engine optimization), and at least some basic knowledge of digital marketing. See more at the end of this article.
4. An operating budget helps but is not necessary. SEVENSEAS Media was built from literally nothing, with no money, and still after over 2.5 years I manage to do it by myself as a volunteer (Shameless plug for you to make your donation. Click here.).

What can an effective conservation communication strategy really accomplish?

This is not just a feel-good strategy. Countless photographers, writers, and storytellers have brought their messages back from the field and have managed to convince their neighbors, their community, and lawmakers to change their views.

Cristina Mittermeier, the founder of the International League of Conservation Photographers and co-founder of SeaLegacy with Paul Nicklen, has always exclaimed the importance of conservation photography and the need to deliver those images to the general public. And it works. Today Cristina tells us, “No matter where they swim, whale sharks are now protected as a migratory species. Thanks to all those photographers and scientists who helped tell their story to achieve their protection.” This, on the heels of a cross-border conservation pact signed by 126 countries promising to extend extra protection to sharks and several other migratory species, regardless of countries they stray into.

It is through an effective conservation communications strategy that we have established protected areas and saved some of the most critically endangered species.

Environmental organizations are lagging behind the communications curve.

Considering what captures people’s attention, it should come as no surprise that conservation science generally does not get the biggest headlines in the news.

Nevertheless, an effective communication strategy can help capture the attention of those we are trying to convince and persuade. While I understand competing priorities take our attention away from giving serious thought to how we communicate, I believe we need to shift priorities and place effective communication front and center.

SEVENSEAS Media can help you or your organization become a better conservation communicator.

Digital marketing is no longer a strategy for the future but reality of today. SEVENSEAS Media is now offering mentoring and consulting services for any budget to make sure you are optimized for today’s digital economy. Whether it is color correcting and editing your entire disk of underwater photos so people actually want to look at them; providing a  website and SEO audit; or producing and disseminating creative content, SEVENSEAS Media can help. Email to discuss what your needs and budget are and we can take it from there.

Support science and spread the word

The most basic tools are literally at your fingertips this very second. Read, write, share, repeat.

SEVENSEAS Media is the leading free resource that promotes marine conservation through community engagement, online media, and eco-tourism, with readers in 174 countries. With the particularly brutal effects of climate change we are witnessing through floods and storms, we are asking you to please keep SCIENCE at the forefront of your conversations with family, friends, and colleagues. Encouraging them to subscribe to free products and programs like SEVENSEAS Media actually makes a difference by promoting scientific discussion and shining a spotlight on the good work of our partners in conservation.

Safe travels & happy swimming,

Giacomo Abrusci

Executive Director, Editor-in-Chief