Gemina Garland-Lewis is a photographer, biologist, and explorer with a background in conservation biology, global health, and documentary storytelling, with experience in 29 countries across six continents. Her research and photography explore the myriad connections between humans, animals, and their shared environments. Gemina is currently in the Azores writing a book on her work as a National Geographic Young Explorer Grantee, which focused on documenting the stories and images of the last living former whalers in these islands. In addition to these stories, her project focuses on the transition from whaling to whale watching in these islands and the revival of whaleboats among the younger generation, who now use them for sport. The Azores' whaling history is unique and was heavily influenced by American whaling, as chronicled in such classics as Melville's Moby Dick. These men are the last living people who know what it feels like to go up against a sperm whale in a seven-man canoe and, as they die, their stories are being lost. Gemina's work takes a look at the human connection to whales, our history with them, and how we move forward in less harmful ways.
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