Portion of Great Barrier Reef to be named after shark filming legend Ron Taylor
Australian film pioneer and shark filming legend Ron Taylor is to be immortalised in nature by having a portion of Australia’s Great Barrier reef named after him.
Ron Taylor and professional partner, wife Valerie Taylor
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority general manager Bruce Elliot said it was a fitting way to recognise Ron’s work as one of the country’s first marine conservationists.
“Ron lived an amazingly full life, ironically starting off as a champion spear fisherman and eventually becoming a world renowned marine conservationist,” he said.
“Survived by his equally passionate wife Valerie, together the two shared a life of wonderful adventures spreading their enthusiasm for marine conservation and educating others on the virtues of sharks.”
Ron and wife Valerie turned away from undersea spear fishing to become renowned amateur and then professional filmmakers over a period of 40 years. Their skills were utilised for the filming of blockbuster Jaws, where they captured live shark footage in South Australia.
“Together they changed the perception of sharks, educating others on the species’ importance in maintaining a balance in healthy ocean ecosystems,” said Elliot.
Valerie taylor said: “Together, we both directed and filmed a series about the Great Barrier Reef which was distributed and played worldwide. We did this project with the aim of capturing audiences’ attention to inspire a love of the Great Barrier Reef.”
She added: “Ron would be thrilled to have a reef named after him — we were always both very passionate about protecting the Great Barrier Reef.”
Ron Taylor died last year.