UPY 2025

UPY  Save our Seas Foundation Marine Conservation - Third
'Unfortunate piercing'
Celia Kujala

I saw this beautiful California sea lion one morning in La Jolla. Sadly, she had a lure hooked in her mouth. California sea lions travel long distances to hunt for food and may come in contact with fishing boats while offshore. However, I have also seen people fish by the sea lion colony so it is possible she became hooked in her own home. I will never forget the terror I have seen in the eyes of sea lions that have just had a hook get embedded on a flipper or other part of their body. Unfortunately, this sea lion went into the water before the rescue team was able to help her.

Judge's comment: This is a heartbreaking image as most of us in our lifetimes have fished and winced as the hook caught a finger slightly. The pain in this image is unimaginable and ongoing but it makes it unfortunately effective.
Peter Rowlands