Her underwater encounters with marine life are viral sensations that put the global spotlight on the need to protect Australia’s Great Barrier Reef – and now University of the Sunshine Coast graduate Jacinta Shackleton hopes her research can do the same.
The Instagram star recently graduated from UniSC with first-class honours after completing research into one of the Great Barrier Reef’s more unusual sea creatures, the ‘walking’ epaulette shark.
“My UniSC research was really the perfect combination of my passion for underwater photography, my role as a master reef guide and storyteller for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority based, and my commitment to marine conservation,” she said.
“I’ve snorkelled with tiger sharks, mating turtles, feeding sharks and I’ve been lucky enough to also capture on camera elusive species like the Ornate Eagle Ray and the Smalleye stingray – the largest and rarest in the world,” she said.
“Posting my images on social media allows me to capture their different personalities and give people around the world the chance to also experience seeing these amazing creatures in their underwater environment,” said Jacinta.
“Posting my images on social media allows me to capture their different personalities and give people around the world the chance to also experience seeing these amazing creatures in their underwater environment,” said Jacinta.
“It is the perfect platform to reach, inspire and educate people about why caring and protecting the Great Barrier Reef is so vital.”
