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Sirachai Arunrugstichai's Image
Sirachai Arunrugstichai (Thailand) presents the skeletal beauty of a collection of tropical fish.
Sirachai was quite nervous as he was unsure if the image would turn out as he’d imagined.
He wanted “to visualise the potential loss of marine biodiversity, particularly from coral reef ecosystems”.
To achieve this, he took X-ray images of the specimens preserved for study at Chulalongkorn University.
Warm-water coral reefs are home to a quarter of all marine life, including more than 7,000 fish species.
They’re threatened by ocean warming, ocean acidification, destructive fishing practices, pollution and coastal development.
Global efforts to protect and restore coral reefs continue.
Behind the lens
Sirachai Arunrugstichai
Thailand
Sirachai is a photojournalist with a background in marine biology. He’s a National Geographic Explorer and Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Sirachai often collaborates with scientific and conservation groups, including IUCN, Save Our Seas Foundation and WildAid while contributing to National Geographic, Getty Images and The Washington Post. Beyond photojournalism, Sirachai co-founded Thai Sharks and Rays, which works on elasmobranch research and conservation in his home waters. He also serves as a consultant for Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.
Image details
- Poskom PXM-40BT hybrid battery-powered portable X-ray unit
- Mars1417X wireless digital flat panel detector
- Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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