Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)

**·**Conservation status: IUCN\* listed as ‘Near Threatened’

**·**Their common name comes from their distinct dorsal fins with black or dark brown tips.

Marine photographer and conservationist Bryant Austin has recently released a new photo book entitled Beautiful Whale, which seeks to capture the wonder and mystery of some of the largest creatures ever to roam this Earth.

Statia aims to make a big impact in increasing its numbers of baby green and hawksbill sea turtles, common specimens at the island’s many dive sites.

High school students with a background in scuba diving and love for the ocean have the chance to save money thanks to a unique scholarship.

The ocean just got a lot safer for five species of sharks and two species of manta rays – good news for divers who enjoy diving with these creatures. On March 14 in Bangkok, Thailand, an international organization that regulates the trade of endangered species, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), placed new restrictions on the capture of five species of sharks, including oceanic white tips, porbeagles, great hammerheads, scalloped hammerheads and smooth hammerhead, as well as oceanic and reef manta rays and three species of freshwater stingrays.

Introducing the world's first bottles made with a blend of recovered ocean plastic.

Cave diver and filmmaker Jill Heinerth will use her prize to expand on her _We Are Water_ documentary and water advocacy project.

What have this year's Sea Heroes been up to since their selections? Read on to find out.

Water-conservation advocate Jill Heinerth is Sea Hero of the Year 2012