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For those who truly know the sea, it is not only about whales or spectacular encounters with its most iconic inhabitants. This is certainly the case for Virginia Salzedo, an internationally renowned underwater photographer whose lens is drawn above all to the smallest protagonists of marine ecosystems: organisms often invisible to most people, yet essential to understanding the complexity and fragility of life beneath the surface.

The Hidden Perfection of Small Marine Life

Observing the behaviour of marine animals, particularly during reproduction, has profoundly changed the way she sees nature. More than the grandeur of individual species, what fascinates her is the remarkable precision with which every organism contributes to the continuity of life.

“I am deeply fascinated by the behaviour of the small organisms that live in the sea, especially during reproduction and while caring for their offspring. I have discovered the incredible perfection and dedication that animal species devote to ensuring the continuation of life. Humans have so much to learn from them.”

For Salzedo, the sea is a constant lesson in cooperation, resilience and adaptation.

The Mandarin Fish (Synchiropus splendidus)

Among the encounters she remembers most vividly is the mandarin fish (Synchiropus splendidus), observed during dives in the Indo-Pacific.

Small, brilliantly coloured and exceptionally shy, this fish performs an extraordinary courtship ritual every evening—one that is as breathtaking as it is difficult to capture.

“As dusk falls, it emerges and begins wandering in search of a mate. The search can last several minutes, and only occasionally does it lead to mating. But that is the moment I love most: they become one, nose to nose, and swiftly ascend toward the surface. It all lasts only an instant, giving you the chance to take just one photograph before they disappear into the night.”

These are images that demand patience, a deep understanding of animal behaviour, and an extraordinary ability to wait. Photography, for Salzedo, begins long before pressing the shutter—it starts with careful observation.

Telling the Sea's Story to Protect It

For Virginia Salzedo, photography is first and foremost a tool for knowledge. Revealing what happens beneath the surface means making visible a world that most people will never have the opportunity to experience firsthand.

“It certainly helps people understand what is happening beneath the sea, and how vulnerable marine animals and ecosystems have become.”

She continues:

“I truly wish photography could also contribute to the protection and conservation of species and ecosystems. Unfortunately, today it feels increasingly difficult to protect the sea. Sometimes I have the impression that every action we take is just a drop in the ocean.”

A Changing Mediterranean

After years spent observing marine ecosystems, what has struck Salzedo most is the cyclical pattern of certain species, which seem to appear in great abundance only to vanish almost completely.

“I have witnessed the dramatic decline—or near disappearance—of species such as sponges, sea stars, Pinna nobilis and sea urchins, while other species, including fireworms, lionfish and jellyfish, have proliferated uncontrollably.”

Yet it is the condition of coral communities that leaves her with the deepest sense of helplessness.

“It has been heartbreaking to see corals suffering, losing their colour, or to dive in remote places only to find broken corals or large marine animals that have been injured. That truly breaks my heart.”

Salzedo also recalls the rescue of a large sea turtle trapped in a fishing net, as well as an operation carried out alongside the Italian Underwater Carabinieri to remove a ghost net that continued to entangle and kill marine wildlife.

These are images that embody both hope and vulnerability.

The Future of Our Oceans

This year's World Ocean Day focuses on the relationship between people and the ocean, inviting us to reimagine how we protect these invaluable ecosystems. Looking towards the international 30×30 target, Virginia Salzedo has no doubts about the crucial role of Marine Protected Areas.

“I firmly believe in the fundamental importance of Marine Protected Areas, and I hope many more will be established because they truly work.”

She adds:

“I would also like to see stricter laws for those who fail to respect the sea, and stronger enforcement by the authorities responsible for protecting it.”

In closing, Salzedo makes a heartfelt appeal for collective responsibility: to care for the sea today so that future generations may inherit its extraordinary richness—not merely its memory.