Wildlife photographer Chris Fallows discusses great white shark disappearance and conservation efforts
On 60 Minutes, wildlife photographer Chris Fallows, renowned for his stunning shots of great white sharks in False Bay, South Africa, shared insights about his career and the alarming decrease in shark numbers. Ten years prior, he would see 250-300 sharks each year, documenting their hunting techniques. His famous image, 'Air Jaws,' solidified his status in the field. Fallows, who sometimes swims without a cage alongside his wife Monique, remarked on the significant drop in both the great white population and shark tourism in False Bay. While scientists are still debating the reasons, they concur that the sharks have mostly vanished. He also noted the resurgence of humpback whales since the 1985 whaling ban and advocates for conservation by purchasing land for habitat restoration and promoting personal accountability in environmental care.
Key facts
- Chris Fallows is a wildlife photographer known for images of great white sharks breaching in False Bay, South Africa
- He captured the iconic photograph 'Air Jaws' showing a shark breaching with jaws open
- A decade ago, he observed 250-300 individual great white sharks annually in False Bay
- About 10 years ago, the great white shark population in False Bay declined sharply
- Fallows and his wife Monique Fallows purchased 61 acres in Cape Infanta in 2017 for habitat restoration
- They are working to acquire a 26,500-acre property in Namibia for wildlife corridors
- Humpback whales have returned to South Africa's coast in groups of 150-200 following the 1985 whaling moratorium
- Fallows emphasized individual responsibility in environmental protection and avoiding plastic pollution
Entities
Artists
- Chris Fallows
- Monique Fallows
Institutions
- 60 Minutes
- CBS
- International Whaling Commission
Locations
- False Bay
- Cape Town
- South Africa
- Cape Infanta
- Namibia