From Sea Country to Screen and your living room: Launching Oceanic Perspectives

Welcome to Oceanic Perspectives, a space dedicated to sharing the breathtaking beauty, rich culture, and scientific wonders of our oceans. This website is born from a deep love of the sea — not only as a source of life and livelihood, but as a place of connection, inspiration, and resilience.

For me, the ocean has never been just water. It’s a living story. It’s the reef fish darting between corals, the sea cucumbers cleaning the seafloor, the seaweed swaying with the tides, and the endless horizon that grounds and humbles us. It’s also the Traditional Owners who have cared for this Sea Country for thousands of years, weaving knowledge, culture, and stewardship into every tide and season.

As a marine scientist and aquaculture leader, I’ve been fortunate to work closely with Indigenous communities across Northern Australia and the Pacific, developing sustainable aquaculture that provides food security, cultural renewal, and new opportunities for the future. But beyond the research and projects, I want to share something more personal here — my perspective, through both science and photography, on the ocean as a source of wonder and responsibility.

This site will showcase:

• Stories of Sea Country: exploring the unique connection between people, culture, and ocean.

• Sustainable Futures: projects and innovations in aquaculture, blue economy, and ocean stewardship.

• Visual Journeys: photography capturing the pristine waters, marine life, and landscapes that inspire this work.

  
  

The ocean belongs to all of us, but it also asks something of us: respect, care, and vision. Oceanic Perspectives is an invitation to see, to learn, and to be inspired by the stunning sceneries and living stories of our blue world. Also note, that all photos displayed online have been proofed by senior traditional owners and representant of relevant clan. No sacred sites or culturally sensitive areas will be published.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts, photo essays, and project highlights. And thank you for joining me at the start of this journey. Feel free to reach out through the contact page for specific requests of feedback.

Dr. Valentin Thépot

Can you spot the marine lizard?