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Edwar Herreno's Image
Diving off the coast of Costa Rica, Edwar captured a frenzied scene as 30 to 40 male whitetip reef sharks attempted to mate with a female. ‘The action was wild,’ says Edwar, ‘with sharks spinning and sand kicking up.’
Shark eggs are fertilised internally. Males insert organs called claspers into the female, transferring sperm. This behaviour can appear violent as males firmly grasp the female’s fins with their jaws. While this can leave scars on their thick skin, it does not cause lasting harm.
Behind the lens
Edwar Herreno
Colombia
Edwar's passion and love for the sea led him to become a marine biologist in 2002 at the University of Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Colombia. He has been living, travelling and working in different countries as a recreational scuba instructor, technical diving instructor, yacht captain, videographer and photographer, and has a wide range of experience in guiding diving expeditions.
Image details
- Nikon D800
- 105mm f2.8 lens
- 1/125 sec at f22 • ISO 500 Hugyfot housing Retra flash
- Punta Maria, Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
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