The Risk of Human Greed

Blueback

This flow traces the book’s escalating contrast between natural danger and human actions that create avoidable suffering.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Natural Threat A Natural Threat from "Blueback". A Natural Threat Instinctive fear Blueback surprises Abel with a sudden rush and grips his hand. Abel initially assumes that the danger is a shark attack.

A Natural Threat from "Blueback". A Natural Threat Instinctive fear Blueback surprises Abel with a sudden rush and grips his hand. Abel initially assumes that the danger is a shark attack.

A Natural Threat Instinctive fear Blueback surprises Abel with a sudden rush and grips his hand. Abel initially assumes that the danger is a shark attack. Understanding follows Once he sees the groper, Abel can distinguish an animal’s force from deliberate malice. The encounter begins the book’s examination of fear in nature.

Respectful Harvest Respectful Harvest from "Blueback". Respectful Harvest Taking enough Dora and Abel gather Abalone for food and income while leaving others to grow. Their practice depends on limits and attention.

Respectful Harvest from "Blueback". Respectful Harvest Taking enough Dora and Abel gather Abalone for food and income while leaving others to grow. Their practice depends on limits and attention.

Respectful Harvest Taking enough Dora and Abel gather Abalone for food and income while leaving others to grow. Their practice depends on limits and attention. A contrast established The family’s use of nature is necessary but restrained. It provides a measure against which later excess can be judged.

Costello’s Violence Costello’s Violence from "Blueback". Costello’s Violence Exploitation Costello’s crew takes undersized Abalone and kills fish in large numbers.

Costello’s Violence from "Blueback". Costello’s Violence Exploitation Costello’s crew takes undersized Abalone and kills fish in large numbers.

Costello’s Violence Exploitation Costello’s crew takes undersized Abalone and kills fish in large numbers. Spearguns threaten Blueback as the fish approaches the scattered food. Deliberate harm The danger is not accidental weather or animal behavior. It comes from people who prioritize profit over the reef and its inhabitants.

The Cruel Hook The Cruel Hook from "Blueback". The Cruel Hook Prolonged suffering A Tiger shark drags a meat hook and buoy until exhaustion kills it. Abel sees the harm as both painful and preventable.

The Cruel Hook from "Blueback". The Cruel Hook Prolonged suffering A Tiger shark drags a meat hook and buoy until exhaustion kills it. Abel sees the harm as both painful and preventable.

The Cruel Hook Prolonged suffering A Tiger shark drags a meat hook and buoy until exhaustion kills it. Abel sees the harm as both painful and preventable. Moral reversal The feared predator becomes an object of pity. Human conduct, rather than animal savagery, becomes the source of the strongest moral shock.

A Human Duty A Human Duty from "Blueback". A Human Duty Learning from damage Abel and Stella help manage the sanctuary and share knowledge of the ecosystem.

A Human Duty from "Blueback". A Human Duty Learning from damage Abel and Stella help manage the sanctuary and share knowledge of the ecosystem.

A Human Duty Learning from damage Abel and Stella help manage the sanctuary and share knowledge of the ecosystem. Their work acknowledges that people can cause harm and can also reduce it. A changed ethic The final aim is not to dominate nature but to let marine life continue. Human responsibility grows from recognizing the power to injure.

At Abel’s first meeting with Blueback

During the early family dives

During the confrontation at Robbers Head

After the Fisheries patrol leaves

During Abel’s later life in the protected bay