I found a MTS4N seashell on Okinawa. What should I do?

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So far, I have placed over seven hundred marked turbo seashells in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need. The shells are marked and numbered with the hashtag #mts4n ( Make The Switch For Nature ). Hopefully, labeling the surface of the seashells will prevent poachers, beachcombers, and anglers from taking them.

Hermit crabs are a national living monument species of Japan. Collecting them is against the law. Take photos only!

What to do if you find a #MTS4N or #MILLER shell:

  • Take a photograph of the Hermit crab in its natural habitat
  • Enjoy the moment and do not harass it
  • Share on social media and tag #mts4n
  • These occupied shells are not collectibles; do not take them

The Mission of the Make the Switch 4 Nature (MTS4N) Hermit Crab Conservation project is to spread joy, inspire change, and save lives

What to do if you find a hermit crab adapting with plastic

  • Take a photograph of the hermit crab in its original habitat
  • Leave the hermit crab alone and do not harass it
  • Send me a DM with the exact beach location
  • I will place empty shells in the coastal forest for the hermit crabs
Hermit crabs living in our trash

Have you ever taken an empty seashell from the beach? I am guilty. Most people don’t realize that they are taking the potential home of a hermit crab.

Did you know that hermit crabs are not born with shells?
As hermit crabs grow, they depend on various empty shells as their homes. Hermit crabs do not make their own shells; instead, they use discarded shells from marine snails that wash ashore. They also adapt by using land snail shells found in the coastal forest. If you are a shell collector, please return all unwanted shells to the coastline. #taketrashnothomes

It’s crucial to protect these beautiful creatures for future generations. Hermit crabs play an essential role in the coastal ecosystem. Hermit crabs do not belong in cages; please leave them in their natural habitat.

2024 has been a busy year for hermit crab poaching. In April and May, we found many traps in the coastal forest. If you see any suspicious activity, please call the local police.

Hermit crabs do not belong in a cage. Let’s keep wild crabs wild.


Please help me make a difference by supporting the #MST4N Hermit Crab Conservation Project. Please check out my Patreon page, MakeTheSwitch4Nature. I will collect a bucket full of marine debris for every supporting member. Our waste is a massive problem on our beautiful shorelines.

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? If so, consider giving them back to nature. #taktrashnothomes

  • The Mission of the #MTS4N conservation project is to spread joy, inspire change, and save lives.

Click on the donation link below to help fund Shawn’s conservation projects.

Interview On the Kelly Clarkson Show
Making the switch 4 nature
Featured On AFN Okinawa


Make The Switch For Nature By Shawn Miller

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“Crabs with beach trash homes” was featured in one of the most influential issues of National Geographic Magazine of all time. June 2018 National Geographic launched Planet or Plastic. This powerful issue focuses on bringing awareness to the worldwide plastic pollution problem and efforts to reduce the single-use plastic waste.

Planet or Plastic June 2018 featured

Planet or Plastic June 2018 featured © Shawn Miller

June 2018, National Geographic replaced the plastic cover with a paper cover ( PEFC-Certified Paper ) that can be recycled.  This is a huge step in reducing the big problem of single-use plastic pollution in our oceans one small step at a time. The Editors did an outstanding job on this powerful ocean impact issue of National Geographic.

 Below left is the new paper cover and on the right is the previous plastic cover 

National Geographic Paper wrap

National Geographic Paper wrap © Shawn Miller

What a powerful National Geographic cover by Artist Jorge Gambo. The cover is a plastic bag resembling and Iceberg. This is one of the best covers of all time in my opinion. I was fortunate to get my hands on a Japanese issue as well.

Planet Or Plastic Cover

Planet Or Plastic Cover

Excited and honored to have one of my photographs from Okinawa featured in the National Geographic Planet or Plastic Exhibition at the Church of Santa Maria della Vita in Bologna, Italy.  Exhibition Date: 04/15/2019 – 09/22/2019

Photograph by Paolo Righi

Photograph by Paolo Righi

Photograph by Paolo Righi

Photograph by Paolo Righi

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Planet or Plastic Iconic Photographs

Learn more about reducing waste and making a difference.  TEDx OIST Talk  –  Adapting to Our Changing Environment by Shawn Miller

If you would like to see more of my work in National Geographic Magazine, below are four powerful issues that featured the Endangered Species of Okinawa. (WILDLIFE AS CANON SEES IT)

Anderson’s crocodile newt by Shawn Miller. 11/2020 National Geographic

Miller featured 11-2021

Amami Oshima frog by Shawn Miller. 08/2019 National Geographic

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Kuroiwa’s Ground Gecko by Shawn Miller. 10/2017 National Geographic

Featured- Wildlife As Canon Sees. National Geographic October 2017

Okinawa woodpecker by Shawn Miller. 05/2015 National Geographic

Woodpecker featured Nat Geo May 2015

People often ask me what is the purpose of conservation photography?  Having the ability to affect some form of positive change in the environment and make a global difference with the photographs. Hopefully, the images will inspire people to care more about nature and make a positive difference in the environment.

Let’s Make The Switch 4 Nature before it’s too late 

My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations. – If you would like to join my journey, check out my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands  – – – –  SUBSCRIBE BELOW

Capturing fluorescence – Fluorescence enhancement photography by Shawn Miller

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All photographers experience a time when their work becomes redundant and lose vision. The Light & Motion Sola Nightsea has opened up a new style of photography for me. Recently I have been blending the Light&Motion Nightsea blue light with ambient light underwater and getting beautiful vibrant results.

Some of my Fluorescence enhancement coral images were featured in The Blue Planet 11 publication. It’s always nice to see years of hard work finally pay off.

Underwater fluorescence - Shawn Miller featured Blue planet 11

Underwater fluorescence – Shawn Miller featured Blue planet 11

Here are some basic lighting examples using different techniques.

Fluorescence examples

Fluorescence techniques © Shawn Miller

Here are some of my favorite images using this fluorescence enhancement technique. All Images I used Light&Motion Sola lights to achieve these beautiful vibrant results.

Fluorescence .021

Fluorescence enhancement © Shawn Miller

Fluorescence .022(1)

Underwater fluorescence © Shawn Miller

Fluorescence .023

Fluorescence photography © Shawn Miller

Nightsea and Sola 600 blended- fluorescence

Nightsea and Sola 600 blended- fluorescence© Shawn Miller

My fluorescence camera rig for underwater

Shawn Miller fluorescence setup

Shawn Miller fluorescence setup © Shawn Miller

Friends and supporters – Save 20% off your first Light & Motion purchase https://prz.io/648x6bGC1

Know your nature with Shawn Miller

Crab Con 2024

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I am thrilled to be a speaker at this year’s Crab Con. This will be my third consecutive year presenting on the fascinating topic of hermit crabs.

I appreciate your support, Shawn.

Giving Back 2 Nature – Earth Day 2024

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Student 2 Presenter

It was great to get back into the classroom. On April 3rd, I gave three hermit crab presentations at Ralph Stearley Primary School for science night. The kids had a lot of questions, and it was a blast!

On April 15th, I presented on Okinawa’s endangered & invasive species for AP Environmental Class at Kubasaki High School. Of course, we also spoke about hermit crab conservation. I attended Kubasaki from 1989-1992. It was a blast from the past!

On April 18th, I had a live interview on the Kelly Clarkson Show regarding Earth Day 2020. It was such a fantastic experience.

THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW — Episode 7I131 — Pictured: (l-r) — (Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal)

On April 20th, our team joined forces with Oist, Yomitan Beach Clean Network, Churamura Sea Turtle Conservation, Blue Reef Okinawa, and volunteers for a massive beach cleanup in Onna Village. Go Team Okinawa!

Please help me make a difference by supporting The MST4N Hermit Crab Conservation Project. Check out my Patreon page, MakeTheSwitch4Nature. For every supporting member, I will collect a bucket full of marine debris. Our waste is a massive problem on our beautiful shorelines.

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? If so, consider giving them back two nature.

  • The Mission of the #MTS4N conservation project is to spread joy, inspire change and save lives.

Click on the donation link below to help fund Shawn’s conservation projects.


Okinawa’s First Annual Sea Turtle Festival

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The Okinawa Sea Turtle Festival is on October 21st at Zanpa Beach. The Churamura Okinawa Sea-Turtle conservation organization hosts this fantastic event. Please join the fun. The event will start at 11:00 a.m.

All kinds of fun events for the kids to enjoy.

Give back to nature at the Hermit Crab Conservation Workshop, which starts at 16:00.

Shawn Miller created Make the Switch 4 Nature to spread joy + inspire change + save lives. His photography documenting hermit crabs adapting with plastics has been featured in National Geographic Magazine & inspired thousands to #TakeTrashNotHomes.

SHELL DONATION DRIVE: Do you have unwanted shells at home? Bring them to the Sea Turtle Festival and drop them off at Shawn’s MTS4N booth on October 21st from 1100-1700 on Zanpa Beach. The Okinawa Sea Turtle Festival is FREE, but donations to support Shawn’s work are appreciated.

Learn more about Churamura and the fantastic work they are doing!

I hope to see you there, and have a fabulous day!

World Oceans Day 2023

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Happy World Oceans Day!

Join us at the Okuma Beach Clean-Up this Saturday, 10 June 2023. Stop by the outside patio at the Surfside Grill & Bar to pick up trash bags and gloves. Afterward, join us as Shawn Miller, a nature and wildlife photographer, discusses Okinawa’s biodiversity and answers questions about wildlife and conservation photography.

Lug-nut hermit crabs by Shawn Miller

Have a wonderful day, and see you Saturday!

The Fire Beneath The East China Sea

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What a fantastic surprise! This month we received the paratype of Calliostoma shawni ( Poppe & Tagarao, 2020), A beautiful species found in the waters of Okinawa. This rare species is named after naturalist and underwater photographer Shawn Miller for his continued support of malacological research.

Calliostoma shawni
Calliostoma shawni

Calliostoma shawni is found at night feeding on fire coral (Millepora sp).

Calliostoma shawni
Calliostoma shawni

The average size of this beauty is 7mm-13mm.

Calliostoma shawni
Calliostoma shawni

During the day, it hides in the tiny crevices of the fire coral.

Calliostoma shawni
Calliostoma shawni

Interested in seeing this species in its natural habitat? Let me know, and I can show you.

If you would like to learn more about this species, check out Visaya Vol 5 Nov 4 -September 2020


Do you like seashells? Learn more about the gastropods of Okinawa @ okinawanaturephotography.com/seashells-of-okinawa/

Have a wonderful day!

Invest In Our Planet | Earth Day 2023

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Crabs with Beach Trash Homes

We all can make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult, but I challenge you to Make The Switch for Nature 

#mts4n 701 Earth Day 23

The Earth Day 2023 theme is Invest In our planet. What will you do to make a difference on April 22nd? Below is my Earth Day Challenge

  • Place twenty-three #mts4n shells in the coastal forest
  • Pick up twenty-three pieces of beach trash
  • Volunteer at a local elementary school
  • Give two coastal forest conservation presentations
  • Spread the word #taketrashnothomes

On June tenth, I will give an Okinawan wildlife presentation at Okuma beach resort. Please join the fun!

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to make a positive change for Earth Day 2023.


Support the #MTS4n Hermit Crab Conservation Project; check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller

Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands  – – – –  SUBSCRIBE BELOW

Explore Okinawan Wildlife

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Join us at Camp Foster Education Center this Thursday to meet Shawn Miller. He will discuss Okinawa’s biodiversity, wildlife, and conservation photography.

Date: February 9th at 6:00 pm. All ages are welcome!

Have a wonderful day!

World Oceans Day 2022

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June 8th, 2009, was designated by the United Nations as World Oceans Day. This year will mark the fourteen-year. It’s a day encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. We can all do a better job making a difference, and our lives depend on it.

The World Oceans Day theme is Revitalization. Collective action for the ocean. What will you do to make a difference on June 8th? Here’s my plan!

  • Donate fourteen dollars to Oceanic Global
  • Pick up fourteen pieces of beach trash.
  • Custom carve a #Mts4n 603 shell for Ocean Day 2022
  • Place fourteen empty shells in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need
  • Spread the word! #revitalization

Keila Gaballo created this beautiful art piece to honor and celebrate World Oceans Day. It was inspired by one of my #mts4n hermit crab photographs. Check out her website

I will place fourteen shells in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need. I often find hermit crabs adapting with single-use plastic. Shell over-collecting is a huge problem in Okinawa.


If you would like to support Hermit Crab Conservation please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller

Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations

Earth Day 2022 Invest In Our Planet

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As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things to make a difference but its’ not enough. We must all work together worldwide to make a positive impact.

We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to Make The Switch for Nature 

The Earth Day 2022 theme is Invest In our planet. What will you do to make a difference on April 22nd? Below is my Earth Day Challenge

  • Place twenty-two #mts4n shells in the coastal forest
  • Pick up twenty-two pieces of beach trash
  • Donate twenty-two dollars to Earthday.org
  • Donate twenty-two dollars to Oceanconservancy.org
  • Go on a nature walk for twenty-two minutes
  • Twenty-two-hour intermittent fasting challenge

These are the twenty-two #mts4n shells that will be placed in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need. I often find hermit crabs adapting with single-use plastic. Shell over-collecting is a huge problem in Okinawa.

I recommend participating in a beach cleanup. Get outdoors for some nature therapy!

Not all marine debris washes ashore. It’s important to participate in underwater cleanups as well.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to make a positive change for Earth Day 2022. Have an awesome day!

If you would like to support Hermit Crab Conservation please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller

Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations

Please consider making a small donation to support my mission.

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands  – – – –  SUBSCRIBE BELOW