New marine book

By Jonathon Howard

NATURAL HISTORY photographer and Tweed Shire local Attila Kaszo has released an amazing new book that captures the underwater world like you have never seen it before.

Attila’s book, ‘Beneath the Surface’, is a testament to 50 years of underwater photography in Australia and around the Pacific Ocean.

Attila is a long-time photographer for the world-renowned free online and downloadable magazine Underwater Photography.

“I started like Valerie and Ron (Taylor), spearfishing at first before I moved into capturing still photography and motion pictures later on,” he said.

“In those days you could catch and kill whatever you wanted from the ocean, and I quickly realised that this was wiping out fish stocks on the South Coast.”

Wanting to bring the decimation of the seas to the fore, Attila took up the camera to show people what was actually under the water and what the habitat destruction was doing to marine ecosystems.

His award-winning images come from a great many countries, including the first ever picture of a pelagic thresher shark giving birth.

Attila was instrumental in having the grey nurse shark recognised as a threatened species, and it is now protected in NSW.

An environmentalist, Attila helped to establish the Jervis Bay Marine Park and served as the Chair of the Jervis Bay Marine Park for many years.

He was also active in the NSW Nature Conservation Council, acting on their behalf on government committees.

“The book is a culmination of more than 50 years’ experience underwater,” he said.

“It’s also not just a book that appeals to divers, it’s for everyone for its artistic and scientific integrity.”

He is particularly passionate to protect the apex marine predators, sharks.

“I was like everybody else when it comes to sharks, at the beginning,” he said.

“Until I found out that sharks are very timid, and they are in fact the garbage trucks of the ocean.

“Unfortunately, there are cases of mistaken identity and sharks do interact with humans.

“But as we know, sharks often bite only to realise they never intended that person to be a meal and they withdraw.”

The book features stunning images of marine ecosystems that have inspired and shaped Attila’s career.

“Some of the images date back to about the 1990s,” he said.

“The reason I go back to the ‘90s is because those marine ecosystems no longer exist and some of the species are no longer found there.”

Attila has an optimistic view of the future and hopes the next generations can step up and push for better marine environmental outcomes.

“I’m too old to carry the baton for future generations, we have to teach kids to keep up the good fight and I hope my book can help show what’s beneath the surface.”

Attila is conducting two book signings, one at All Sorts Café at Kirra on Saturday, April 15 from 10am with copies for purchase, followed by House of Gabriel at Tumbulgum on Sunday, April 16, from 10am.

Beneath the Surface is available online via: square.link/u/epkSeuEa

Car Club sign on

MURWILLUMBAH SPORTING Car Club (MSCC) is throwing open its membership applications to juniors after two highly successful Motorkhanas recently.

The MSCC Committee said the response from young drivers and a great turnout at the Murwillumbah Showground-based Motorkhanas meant the club has opened up membership to juniors aged 12 to 17 years of age.

“Our hope is to bring the next generation of motor sport enthusiasts into the club to participate, enjoy and be mentored by our more experienced members,” the MSCC committee told The Weekly.

Junior membership is $25 per calendar year, or is free for those that already have a MSCC family membership.

“Please navigate to our membership page using the link below and complete the junior membership form: https://mscc.org. au/club-info/membership,” the committee said.

“Once you complete the form you will be issued a membership card with your membership number and you will then be able to apply for a MSA licence.

“If you competed in the March Motorkhana on a MSA introductory license you will be given a $25 discount by Motorsport Australia for a license.

“This will reduce the cost to $10. We will supply more details and support on this once you join.”

For any further information please contact Rob Learmonth on 0428 249 483 or Glenn Perry on 0417 490 794.

If you are 18 or older and wish to join, you can complete the senior and family membership form on the members page. For further information contact Barry Wearing on 0407 120 113.