Meso Amazing – National Geographic features the Belize Reef
Franklin | February 6, 2013Do you know which species is the largest fish? Why whale sharks, of course.
You’ll find out many amazing facts like that in a fascinating feature on the Mesoamerican Reef that ran in National Geographic Magazine in October. The article features some awe inspiring images like this one, shot by photographer Brian Skerry, off the coast of the Yucatan, just north of Belize.
Big Fish, Little Fish: Trapped under ice, lost at sea, chased by sharks, photographer Brian Skerry has had more than a few scares in 35 years of catching images of underwater wildlife. Despite appearances to the contrary, this close encounter with a whale shark was quite the opposite. Snorkeling off Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, amid some 400 of the world’s biggest fish, Skerry spotted a massive maw coming at him with a remora darting around inside the giant filter feeder. “It’s not something the shark would eat,” notes Skerry of the suckerfish. Neither is he. Nonetheless, he quickly moved out of the way.
Photograph by Brian Skerry
Central America’s Mesoamerican Reef is half the length of its famous Australian counterpart but in many ways more remarkable. If you like coral reefs you’ll love this article.
The print edition of the article carried this wonderful map of the region (not available in the online version.) It highlights the coral reefs, mangrove forests and sea grass beds within the region. Check out where Adventure Island is!
