Mexican underwater photographer Gerardo del Villar has swum with some of the world’s most dangerous shark species, including great whites, and wants to change perceptions that they are ruthless killers.
Around 100 million sharks are hunted and killed each year for their meat, leaving 316 of the 538 known species endangered; their meat is consumed worldwide.
Del Villar has photographed a huge range of shark species, including the strange salmon shark and bigeye thresher, and hopes to photograph a leopard seal in Antarctica.
Sharks are vital to the balance of marine ecosystems and healthy oceans; Mexico is one of the top 10 countries for commercial shark catches, while its coral reefs are among the world’s most at-risk.
Del Villar is motivated by the continuing existence of sharks – “fear is their best ally” – and aims to tell their story through his photographs to raise awareness of conservation efforts.
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