UPY 2025

UPY  Up & Coming - Highly Commended
'Bait Ball of Life'
Emilie Ledwidge

Ningaloo Reef is home to an array of unique marine animals, including numerous species of sharks such as this grey reef shark. When I found this bait ball I dove down, holding on to some rock to stay steady and motionless hoping that I would go unnoticed by the many sharks surrounding the reef bommie. As I held my breath, seeing nothing but a wall of tiny fish, I hoped that one of the sharks would go straight through and over my head and sure enough one did.
It is moments like these that I am forever grateful for sharks to exist. As the apex predators of the reef the grey reef sharks balance the ecosystem; feeding on the dying, weak, injured and slow fish so only the strongest survive. Without sharks, without healthy fish populations and without an ocean full of life who knows what the future looks life.

Judge's comment: What an action-packed scene with the reef shark charging through the middle of the baitfish. A tough shot to capture both getting the shark to come directly to the camera and to handle the exposure so precisely.
- Alex Mustard