Inspired by the period diving tales in Peter Vine’s new book Spirorbis, he and his dive-buddies reminisce over some memorable photos – and we also bring you two extracts from the book

CROWN OF THORNS 

by Peter Vine (1973)

“I have the poisonous and infamous crown-of-thorns starfish to thank for five years of living on and under the Red Sea. The poison never worried us – in fact after weeks of almost daily stings, we began to experience mild ‘highs’ that were far from unwelcome,” says Dr Peter Vine.

“The Cambridge Coral Starfish Research Group, of which I was a member, studied many aspects of the spiny starfish’s life, including its vulnerability to predation.

“Living literally on the reef, on a flimsy platform (opposite page), enabled us to get to know individual fish by their given names – not just scientific (Acanthaster planci) but more personal, like Popeye the puffer (Arothron hispidus).

“My photograph of Popeye chewing on a crown-of-thorns starfish provided the evidence that scientists were seeking regarding this important natural predator.

“The picture made it straight onto the cover of one of the most prestigious scientific journals of the day: Nature.”

Dr Vine is a marine biologist with a special interest in coral reef ecology. Author of four books on the Red Sea and a number of scientific papers, he recently published his memoirs, Spirorbis: Stories From My Life.

He began his underwater photography in the central Pacific, on Tarawa, then part of the Gilbert & Ellice Islands – now Kiribati.

As well as taking marine life stills he has been actively involved with underwater filming and shares the credits for Nightlife, which was nominated for an Academy Award. He is currently executive producer for a film about climate change.

DOUBLE EXPOSURE 

by Hans Sjoeholm (1985)

Hans Sjoeholm is a well-known diver, instructor and photographer based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is known for his technical expertise in underwater photography and remembers techniques that have since been replaced by the vast capabilities of digital enhancement.