AU NZ

Events, photo walks, talks from the masters, in-depth workshops. Expand your horizons with one of our many events across Australia.

Starting Never Ends is the one place for all Sony camera mini-sites. Learn about all new Sony camera products in a fun interactive way.

Events, photo walks, talks from the masters, in-depth workshops. Expand your horizons with one of our many events across Australia.

Starting Never Ends is the one place for all Sony camera mini-sites. Learn about all new Sony camera products in a fun interactive way.

AU NZ
Help monitor critically endangered sharks with photo-identification

About the event

Learn more about underwater photography, and help monitor critically endangered grey nurse sharks! Adult grey nurse sharks are migrating north through October to mate in Queensland waters, and if conditions are good – and we're lucky – there'll be a few taking a break in Byron Bay. We'll be diving twice with Sundive at Nguthungulli Julian Rocks Marine Park to see them.

These dives will be hosted, guided, and booked directly with Sundive: https://www.sundive.com.au/pages/book-now

Booking steps:

1) Register here on Sony Scene.

2) Go directly to https://www.sundive.com.au/pages/book-now to complete your booking.

3) Enter 'DIVE WITH SIMON' in your booking notes.

Your $20 deposit here on Sony Scene will be refunded in the event of cancellation due to poor weather or other operational factors.

Your host, Sony Digital Imaging Advocate and shark scientist Dr Simon Pierce, is a world expert on shark photo-identification and protecting ocean wildlife. He's the Executive Director of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, an Adjunct Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and Research Manager for the Spot A Shark community science initiative for grey nurse sharks in Australia.

As the sharks will likely be at 18 m depth or more, these dives will be suited for Advanced divers or above.

Please see Sundive's booking policies and other information here: https://www.sundive.com.au/pages/book-now

Techniques covered

  • Underwater wide-angle photography techniques
  • Shark behaviour
  • Photo-identification
  • Underwater photo editing

What to bring

  • Underwater camera (GoPro are available for rent from Sundive)
  • A laptop or iPad to view and upload your shark ID photos after the dives

Event FAQs (For general FAQs, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page)

From Sundive: Both certified SCUBA divers and snorkellers 65 years of age (anyone whose 65th birthday has already passed) and over require a doctor's clearance letter done within the last 12 months incorporating clearance for SCUBA diving or snorkelling but also including strenuous activity. This must be sent to Sundive before the day of your trip. If you are over 70 years of age you will need a full SPUMS medical or international equivalent for SCUBA diving only. If you are over 55 years of age and starting your PADI Open Water course you will also need to acquire a valid dive medical before starting the course. For certified SCUBA divers under the age of 18 years old, a SCUBA-certified parent or guardian must be present and stay with them at all times throughout the dive.
GoPro rentals are available from Sundive.
No, but there is a cafe close to Sundive. Water will be available on the boat.
There is (paid) public parking close to the dive centre.
Full or partial gear hire is available from Sundive. See: https://www.sundive.com.au/pages/book-now
Advice from Sundive: Our boats launch directly through the surf which at times can be time sensitive with water and waves. Our staff will help as much as possible if required but, for the safety of our staff and guests, we require our guests to be able-bodied for the launch, be able to react quickly and, have the physical strength, ability and fitness to jump on the boat and, pull themselves up the ladder after the dive. The trip out to the rock can be bumpy, and this, combined with the launch, makes our trips unsuitable for people with back problems or injuries that would be affected by such a journey. It is also a requirement that anyone booking for diving or snorkelling are able to swim 200m unassisted without a floatation device.
As the sharks will likely be at 18 m depth or more, these dives will be suited for Advanced divers or above.
Sure: you can email Simon at simonjpierce@gmail.com – best to cc Sundive at bookings@sundive.com.au. You can also call Sundive directly: +61 (0) 266 85 7755

A$20 deposit payable via Sony Scene to secure a spot.
Balance Due Date: 14/10/2025

Payment for the remaining balance should be made directly to the host. They will be in contact with you shortly to provide the payment details and further instructions.

Wed 15 Oct 2025, 7:00AM - 1:00PM (UTC+11) Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Suitable for all levels
Event capacity: 5
A$280 (Deposit A$20) per/person    Book now
Thu 16 Oct 2025, 7:00AM - 1:00PM (UTC+11) Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Suitable for all levels
Event capacity: 5
A$280 (Deposit A$20) per/person    Book now
Attend & win a trip to Rome with Sony!

Attend & win a trip to Rome with Sony!

Attend any event during Scene Festival, which runs between Monday 1 September - Friday 31 October 2025, and receive one entry into the draw for a chance to win one of five tickets to the ultimate Scene event experience in Rome, Italy! The more events you attend, the more chances you have to WIN!

Advocate

Simon Pierce

I'm an ocean wildlife photographer and marine conservation biologist living in Kaikōura, New Zealand.My scientific speciality is photo-identification, where we ...

Read more

Simon is an exceptionally knowledgeable and fascinating speaker. A background in both science & photography provides compelling insights and viewing.”

Gavan Mitchell, Getting Started With Conservation Photography
Whale sharks at St Helena Island in the Atlantic Ocean
Friendly loggerhead turtle off Byron Bay, Australia

Kudos to Dr Simon Pierce. He certainly has the runs on the board as a scientist and great photographer. Clear and pertinent examples for conservation.”

Jonathan Clark, Getting Started With Conservation Photography