Local shark diver, photographer helping to raise funds for shark conservation

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Shark Week is halfway through its 2014 programming that runs August 10 through 16, and although it occasionally sinks to new depths with shows about creatures called Megalodon and Sharkageddon, and continues to exploit shark attacks, this year’s lineup has introduced some intriguing programming.

This year the Hollywood shark fright films (Jaws 2, Jaws 3-D, Jaws: The Revenge) are back in the can, thanks to shark conservationists who have rallied to protect sharks being slaughtered annually by the millions. One conservationist resides here in The Woodlands, and has even gone to the extent of offering himself up as bait for an auction to raise funds for shark conservation.

Acclaimed shark and sea life photographer, Paul Spielvogel, a real estate attorney and escrow officer for American Title Company in The Woodlands by day, and a shark diver/photographer enthusiast in his free time, is on the block for the second year in a row, to further the cause of shark conservation and research.

“All the celebrities in the auction are shark conservationists in different capacities,” said Spielvogel. “Some are authors, some are marine biologists; my contribution is shooting photos of divers interacting with sharks, to demystify them. We all contribute in our own way to protect sharks, and we’re working together on this fundraiser for the benefit of the Shark Research Institute,

The Shark Research Institute (SRI) is a multi-disciplinary 501(c)3, non-profit organization, created in 1991, to research and promote the conservation of sharks and to educate the public with authoritative information. To fund their efforts, SRI hosts an annual fundraiser during Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week.” Their shark celebrity auction spans ten days, August 10 through 20. Individuals who have distinguished themselves as the most knowledgeable sources on sharks and advocates for their conservation, are being auctioned off. The winning bidder pays to dine with the celebrity, and can invite as many guests as they wish. Paul Spielvogel of The Woodlands is one of those celebrities in the online auction.

Spielvogel maintains that his photography speaks for the sharks, and shows them to be more respectful of the human species than we are of them. Spielvogel produced the most widely syndicated photo of a shark and diver interacting; a picture of the editor of Shark Diver Magazine, Eli Martinez, exchanging a ‘High Five’ with a Lemon shark affectionately referred to as “Taxi.” To date, the photo has been viewed so many times that Spielvogel said it’s hard to quantify. (In 2012 it surpassed the two million mark.)

“It’s impossible to know how many times it’s been viewed and shared,” said Spielvogle. “Let’s just say it‘s off the charts.”

Spielvogel is hungry like a shark for the next great shot. He may have already taken it. Another one of his magnificent photos is being used throughout China on billboards, to educate the younger generation against the practice of mutilating sharks for shark fin soup. (Photo pictured.) “Over 70 million sharks are being killed annually for their fins. Their carcasses are left to litter and rot on the ocean floor,” said Spielvogel. “Eliminating the ocean’s best scavengers is going to radically affect the ocean’s ecosystem,” added Spielvogel.

The public is as mystified with Paul Spielvogel as they are with sharks. The Texas Bar Journal featured him at the front of their 2014 June issue, as being unique among Texas lawyers for his extraordinary extracurricular activity. When the courtrooms are considered another form of shark tank, even his peers are taken aback with Spielvogel’s desire to swim with the sharks, devoid of cage and protective chain mail suit, armed only with his underwater camera.

The dive team of Shark Diver Magazine is preparing for their next dive which will be with the Great Whites. Although the Bull shark is rated as the number one shark for aggressiveness, Spielvogel maintains that he has a lot of respect for the Great Whites.

"When I’m in deep and unfamiliar surroundings, I have no fear, but I have a lot of respect," said Spielvogel.

To donate to SRI’s shark conservation efforts, or to further their efforts by bidding on celebrity shark photographer, Paul Spielvogel, access the links provided. And don’t miss Zombie Sharks on the Discovery Channel; you’ll be as mesmerized as the sharks.