COTSWOLD BOOKS RICHARD SMITH Dr Richard Smith, born and raised in the Cotswolds, is a British award-winning underwater photographer, author and marine conservationist who aspires to promote an appreciation for the ocean’s inhabitants and raise awareness of marine conservation issues through his images. A marine biologist by training, Richard’s pioneering research on the biology and conservation of pygmy seahorses, led to the first PHD on these enigmatic fishes. Richard is a member of the IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group. He has named the two most recent pygmy seahorse discoveries from Japan, Hippocampus japapigu, and South Africa, H. nalu. Richard organizes and leads marine life expeditions where the aim is for participants to get more from their diving and photography by learning about the marine environment. His bestselling book, The World Beneath: The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs is out now. N Social Media Handles: Instagram: @Dr.richardsmith Facebook: @Oceanrealmimages Twitter: @Rich_underwater BOOK INFO: The World Beneath: The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs 312 pages, over 333 colour photographs. £26.99, available through book shops www.oceanrealmimages.com Cotswold Life: September 2020 87