Underwater Photo Exhibit for World Oceans Day

LANDOVER, Md., June 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation will celebrate World Oceans Day by sharing stunning underwater photos in an exhibit for their local community.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130607/DC28042-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130607/DC28042-b)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130607/DC28042-c)

The exhibit features images from a collaborative project the Foundation did with the International League of Conservation Photographers and Michele Westmorland. Michele joined the Foundation on the research ship M/Y Golden Shadow earlier this year in French Polynesia. From September 2012 to May 2013 the Foundation's researchers conducted one of the most extensive assessments of the French Polynesian reef systems ever done. 

The Living Oceans scientists researched in four of the five archipelagos, Society Islands, Tuamotu, Gambier and the Austral Islands.  These research missions were designed to compare and contrast reefs over a large area of human impact. During the surveys the foundation identified coral and fish species' diversity among others, population numbers, and health, and made note of any major threats to the ecosystems. The scientific findings will be used to develop sound management strategies which will benefit the reef ecosystem.

But the foundation wanted to share more than just the scientific results, they wanted to share a glimpse of what the world was like on these remote reefs, to help people really connect with the creatures that live there. So in January of 2013 the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation partnered with Michele and iLCP to help achieve that goal.

Executive Director of iLCP at the time, Tom Skeele, said  "iLCP is pleased to be working with the Khaled Bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation because of the Foundation's commitment to conducting comprehensive, relevant and trustworthy scientific research about coral around the world.  All successful conservation projects have two important ingredients:  high quality scientific information and top notch communications.  iLCP's collaboration with KBSLOF brings those two ingredients to the public understanding and long-term conservation of coral."

Click here to learn more about the work of the Living Oceans Foundation and to watch a video from Michele about her experience with the Foundation. www.livingoceansfoundation.org

You can also see a selection of spectacular images that Michele took on the following links. http://ilcp.photoshelter.com/gallery/Gambier-French-Polynesia-2013/G0000A9LGBzr0xyc/C0000uqxF3OpXBYM

About the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation
Founded by HRH Prince General Khaled bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation was incorporated in the USA as a 501(c)(3), public benefit Foundation in September 2000. With its headquarters in Washington DC, the Foundation is dedicated to conservation and restoration of oceans and champions their preservation through research, education, and a commitment to Science Without Borders®. For more information, visit http://www.livingoceansfoundation.org, http://www.globalreefexpedition.com and http://fergusonfoundation.org

Science Without Borders® is registered to the Foundation for financial sponsorship of marine conservation programs and scientific research and to promote public awareness of the need to preserve, protect and restore the world's oceans and aquatic resources.

SOURCE Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation