Meet the Fallows: Ocean storytellers with the cutest sidekicks!

Monique and Chris Fallows are incredible ocean storytellers and friends of the Two Oceans Aquarium, so we were thrilled to host them (and one of their adorable dogs, Sandi) for a reading of Sandi and the Salty Sea Dogs at the Aquarium.

The Fallows are dedicated to spreading the message of ocean conservation – with the excitement leading up to Marine Protected Areas Day, we hope their story inspires our Two Oceans Aquarium family to take steps towards protecting our ocean.

Let’s learn more about the Fallows’ ocean journey…

Monique believes that you can forge a deeper connection with your natural world, no matter how old you are. This belief played a huge role in the creation of her new children’s book, Sandi and the Salty Sea Dogs! Chris, too, uses his passion for the ocean to inspire his work as a wildlife fine art photographer and eco-tourism operator.

While Chris grew up fascinated by sharks, Monique was introduced to the ocean upon meeting Chris. “Chris has always wanted to share his passion for the ocean and ocean wildlife with me,” says Monique. “I found his love for the ocean extremely infectious, and right from the very first time going out to sea, I developed a deep passion for the ocean and its creatures. 25 years later, I find my passion for nature and wildlife keeps growing!”

First of all, who are the salty sea dogs?

Sandi is the original, saltiest of the sea dogs! Monique and Chris rescued her several years ago before she had four puppies, two of which stayed with the Fallows – Brownie and Lucy are just as ocean-loving as their mother!

All three dogs love going to sea with the Fallows; kitted out with their specially made life jackets and strong sea legs, the pack is always ready to leap aboard. The dogs all have keen eyes for spotting marine life and are very well-behaved when nearing whales, dolphins, and more! Their adventures have been one of the Fallows' great inspirations. 

How do the Fallows (and their dogs) spread the message of ocean conservation?

Storytelling is a powerful mechanism for change, one to which the Fallows are not strangers. What better way to capture someone’s interest than with a story of three salty sea dogs who spend more time on a boat than on land? Monique’s new book, Sandi and the Salty Sea Dogs, introduces young readers to the concept of ecosystems in a truly distinctive way: Through the eyes of Sandi, Brownie, and Lucy the dogs!

One of the most unique ways that Sandi and the Salty Sea Dogs reaches modern audiences is through the QR codes contained within the pages – these link to videos of the actual sea dogs spotting marine wildlife! Monique hopes that her book will inspire future generations to become guardians of our ocean ecosystems.

Chris feels that it is his duty to share what he photographs and observes – firstly, to share the ocean with those less fortunate and secondly, to inspire those who have the means to make a big difference for the ocean. Perhaps most poignantly, Chris and Monique have seen some daunting environmental changes during their expeditions across the seven continents. “Climate change and biodiversity loss are very real – we need to tell this story for those who still have doubts and inspire the desire to take action,” says Chris.

How can “normal people” make a positive impact on the ocean?

It can be tough for people to know how they can make a difference in their daily lives. And, as Monique says, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by the number of problems facing the ocean.

However, Monique urges her audiences to think about the differences they can control: “Try being very aware of your use of single-use plastic items, or perhaps you have a position in your business to make sure the best sustainability actions are implemented,” she says. As an individual, you can make a difference, and as a collective, we can make big change!

For Chris, it’s a simple matter of facing the facts. “My favourite meal in the world used to be prawns, until I found out that there is a 90% bycatch rate – that means that for every 1kg of prawns I ate, 9kg of other sea animals would be caught as bycatch. The ocean is far from inexhaustible – I do not need to eat prawns to survive, and if I am serious about making a difference, I need to make responsible, sustainable and informed decisions,” says Chris.

If there is one thing you hope people learn from their ocean experiences, what is it?

Monique feels that while conservation is typically very species-specific, a more holistic approach to looking after entire ecosystems can be far more successful. “All species in an ecosystem are interconnected, and all have a vital role to play in keeping an ecosystem healthy,” says Monique. Maintaining healthy ecosystems means maintaining the health of each creature within it!

Chris believes that everything in nature is interconnected: “If we take away a piece of the puzzle, it has a domino effect on everything else”. Chris feels strongly that humans need to realise that nature is more than a commodity and that, if we lose nature, we lose the fabric that underpins and sustains all life on Earth.