SCUBA meets two women behind an ongoing project to celebrate our shallow seas – marine biologist Tara Williams and photographer Shannon Moran
UKDIVING
Underwater Gardens of the Helford Estuary
SCUBA meets two women behind an ongoing project to celebrate our shallow seas – marine biologist Tara Williams and photographer Shannon Moran
Sediment that has passed through the body of a burrowing worm sits atop sand ripples
A common cuttlefish peers out from between seagrass blades
Today ’ s generation of British divers have woken up to the beauty of our shallow seas , in particular seagrass gardens , which hold especial value for marine biodiversity and renewal . This summer , two Cornwall-based women divers combined their knowledge and love of this habitat for a joint initiative , the Underwater Gardens of the Helford Estuary . They are marine biologist Tara Williams and award-winning underwater photographer Shannon Moran .
The project culminated in an exhibition that took place during August , and which they are planning to expand on in the near future . For now , here ’ s how biology , folklore and photography fused , thanks to a shared love of Cornwall ’ s hidden gardens .
It all started in early 2023 , when Tara was working for the botanical Trebah Gardens in Mawnan Smith , Cornwall . She says : “ I realised that most visitors were completely
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