National GeographicPhotograph

Bill honored at 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Fort Lauderdale

The International Coral Symposium takes place in a different country every four years and brings together coral scientists and
teachers, fisheries managers, environmentalists, marine park experts and other stakeholders in the health of coral reefs. They
sponsor a photographic competition with six categories – and the competition is amazing. A majority of these people work in the
IndoPacific where for the previous four years they have been using sophisticated equipment to take expert pictures in areas that
are far more diverse biologically speaking than the Caribbean.

For these reasons, I was absolutely astounded to learn that my pictures had won first place in two categories (Reef Inhabitants
and Macro), and second place in another category (Reefs at Risk). But what really floored me, the judges (including Paul
Humann of the Fish ID books fame, top marine photographer Stephen Frink, and a National geographic photographer) honored
me with best in show for a rather simple picture of a Nassau grouper peeking at me through a hole in a purple sea fan! See the
Best in Show picture below and link to the Symposium below the image.

CLICK ON THE SYMPOSIUM LOGO TO BE RE-DIRECTED TO THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE.