Thomas P. Peschak is the Chief Photographer of the Save our Seas Foundation. A former marine biologist he left science to pursue a life in environmental photojournalism. He has photographed and written three books Currents of Contrast, Great White Shark and Wild Seas Secret Shores of Africa.
His photographic features have appeared in many publications most notably National Geographic Magazine, BBC Wildlife and Africa Geographic. His images have garnered many awards, including category wins at the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Fujifilm Photographic Awards and a Plongeur D'or at the Festival de l'Image Sous Marine.
He is a dedicated conservation photographer and an associate fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP). He has spearheaded campaigns to proclaim marine reserves, end abalone poaching and remove shark nets.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Friday, June 19, 2009 at 11:07AM 
The July issue of National Geographic Magazine features my photo story on manta rays 'Feeding Frenzy'. It documents for the first time a massive feeding aggregation of 200+ manta rays and half a dozen whale sharks in the Maldives. This natural history spectacle was discovered by Save our Seas Foundation marine biologist Guy Stevens who has also described several new feeding behaviours.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 10:18PM 
To coincide with the publication of my cover story in the May issue of Africa Geographic magazine, we (Save our Seas Foundation) have created a 11 minute multi-media feature combining photography, video and audio. Shark Nets: The Real Killers of the Sea? investigates the shark nets that have been killing sharks off South Africa's east coast in the name of bather protection for more than 50 years.
"Large numbers of sharks are a non-negotiable prerequisite for healthy seas, yet South Africa is one of only a handful of countries in the world where shark nets are still used. Many people wrongly believe that these nets are a continuous barrier that prevents sharks from approaching beaches. In reality they are gill nets designed to entangle, suffocate and kill sharks. The first nets were installed in 1951 and were so effective that by 1989 45 kilometers were in place at 64 beaches. Key targets are so-called “dangerous sharks” (great white, tiger and zambezi), but the majority caught are species that have never seriously injured a human."
Please visit: www.saveourseas.com/sharknets
Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 05:48PM 
O
n October 29th, 2008, my photograph ‘Sardine Snapper’ was awarded a specially commended prize in the Underwater World category of the 2008 BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. After winning the black and white category last year I was very pleased to again have my work feature in this prestigious competition that attracts in excess of 32,000 entries.
Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 05:59PM 
At the end of October 2008 I won the Prix Jean et Maryse Chapeyroux at the Festival de l'Image Sous Marine with a image of a whale shark taken off the coast of Mozambique. Also known as the World Festival of Underwater Pictures, this event held in Antibes, France is described by many as the equivalent of the Oscars of underwater photography.
Monday, October 29, 2007 at 02:11AM 
I am delighted to announce that I have won the portfolio category in the 2007 Festival Mondial Image sous marine (World Festival of Underwater Pictures Antibes) described by many as the equivalent of the Oscars of underwater photography. This year the festival attracted entries from professional underwater photographers and filmmakers from 50 countries. Unfortunatley I was unable to attend the awards ceremony as I was speaking at the WILD PHOTO event in London after my win in the Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition earlier in the week.