BANGKOK — Sirachai “Shin” Arunrugstichai is a marine biologist and photojournalist known for his impactful photos in Thailand. His images include the stark contrast of white coral reefs damaged by bleaching and beaches polluted by oil spills. One of his most famous photographs shows an orphaned baby dugong named Marium being embraced by her caregiver. Shin’s photos have played a significant role in raising awareness about marine conservation in Thailand. He recently participated in a scientific study focused on squid necrophilia behavior, inspired by his own photographic work. In a conversation with Mongabay, Shin, age 39, discusses his career, his latest research, and the influence of his photography.
Shin’s journey into squid behavior research started when he worked in the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar from 2019 to 2020. During this time, his team discovered ghost fishing nets entangled around a reef. While diving to remove the nets, Shin observed what seemed to be two squids mating. Curious, he swam closer and realized that one squid was caught in the net while the other was outside, engaging in mating behavior. He found it surprising that a squid in such a state would still be mating. Upon further inspection, he noticed that the squid trapped in the net was decaying, with its tentacles completely severed.
This article was originally published on Mongabay. What are your thoughts on the impact of photography on marine conservation?
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Source: Mongabay Animals, by Yenni Kwok