My name is Aoibheann (pronounced Ee-fin) Gillespie-Mules, and I am based in lovely Donegal, Ireland. I had the privilege of spending close to 10 years in the Philippines, on the gorgeous island of Palawan (my second home and where my husband is from), and another few years in Negros Oriental.
We relocated back to Ireland during the pandemic, which has been amazing as I’ve rediscovered Irish marine life. I created this website in 2020 to help highlight the beauty and importance of coral reefs, and the wonders below the surface through photography.
Having worked as a scuba dive instructor and marine conservationist, and now in environmental education, I’ve had the privilege of spending the majority of my days under the surface, witnessing a little piece of the magic our oceans have to offer.
Sadly, I have also witnessed much of this magic being threatened by many different factors, from ocean temperature changes and ocean acidification to plastic pollution, with many more threats in between. Coral reefs are a precious resource for our planet. Scientists estimate that they host around 25% of all marine life, while only covering approximately 0.1% of the sea floor.
Let me show you the beauty of these magnificent animals through my photographs.
"Why should I care about the ocean? Because the ocean is the cornerstone of earth's life support system, it shapes climate and weather. It holds most of life on earth. 97% of earth's water is there. It's the blue heart of the planet - we should take care of our heart. It's what makes life possible for us. We still have a really good chance to make things better than they are. They won't get better unless we take the action and inspire others to do the same thing. No one is without power."
—Sylvia Earle