UPY 2025

UPY  Save our Seas Foundation Marine Conservation - Highly Commended
'The fortunate ones'
Victor Huertas

Caribbean Nicaragua supports the largest green turtle fishery in the Western hemisphere. Although indigenous Miskitu and ethnic communities have fished green turtles for centuries, research conducted by biologists Dr Cynthia Lagueux and Dr Cathi Campbell indicates that growing pressure on this iconic species is unsustainable. This prompted authorities to enact a series of regulations to improve the management of the Nicaraguan green turtle fishery. These turtles had been confiscated by the Nicaraguan National Police because they were being illegally transported to Bluefields, the region’s capital, where turtle consumption was no longer allowed. The turtles were later released back into the ocean near the Pearl Cays.

Enforcing fishing regulations in such a remote region in one of the poorest countries in the American continent is extremely challenging. Nevertheless, efforts to manage the turtle fishery in a region where turtle consumption has a high cultural value continue.

Judge's comment: Excellent image - not only from the subject and impact that it delivers, but also very nicely framed and composed. Also the conversion in black and white was the right decision and puts the image into a documentary, artistic style. Well done.
Tobias Friedrich