In pictures... The Shark People of the Solomons

Sosimo, a spearfisherman from Owarigi in the Solomon Islands, in the water with a blacktip reef shark. These people regularly encounter sharks underwater.

Spearfisherman Moses draws outlines of the shark species he regularly encounters around Owarigi Island

Gordon Buchanan learned to freedive with blacktip reef sharks in the Solomon Islands under the watchful eyes of Moses and Sosimo.

Blond hair is common amongst the children of Owarigi in the Solomon Islands. It’s caused by a genetic variation unique to this part of the world.

The population of Owarigi has increased in recent years. There are many children living on the island, all of whom depend on the ocean.

In the past, when strangers landed on Owarigi, there was often conflict. This ‘warrior challenge’ is now a welcome greeting, harking back to their headhunting history.

The shark fin trade has arrived in the remote regions of the Solomon Islands. Around 100 million sharks are killed globally each year.

Gordon learns about sharks from Sosimo, Willie and Moses. Sosimo and Moses are expert spearfishermen, who often encounter sharks underwater. Willie is a respected elder who communicates with the shark god, ‘Wairowo’ on behalf of the island.

Owarigi Islanders depend on the ocean for most things in life – including shells to make traditional jewellery.

Gordon Buchanan with fisherwoman Ozzy and friends. People on Owarigi rely on the ocean for most of their protein, but subsistence fishing is getting harder as international offshore trawlers take four times more fish than local people.