UPY 2025

UPY  Award Winners - 'Save Our Seas Foundation' Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024
'Saving Goliath'
Nuno Sá

The golden beaches of Costa da Caparica, just across the river from Lisbon were packed with sun seekers on this sunny day. And then something unusual caught their attention on the horizon. A massive sperm whale seemed to be struggling to swim as it slowly moved towards the coast. Soon its giant wounded body was passing by surfers and swimmers and reaching the shallow waters of the beach. But suddenly dozens of sun seekers start running towards the whale. Together they push and chant trying to help the giant back into the sea, as it slowly slaps its tail back and forth, and breathes heavily. Several hours later the whale takes its last breath, its body crushed by gravity as it lays on the sand. An estimated 20,000 whales are killed every year, and many more injured, after being struck by ships-and few people even realise that it happens.

Judge's comment: This isn’t supposed to be an easy Category to view but this has a pleasing element visually which created a feeling of confidence until I read the caption and found that all that hope and all that effort, from both sides, came to nought. It’s sad, so sad but it works on several levels.
Peter Rowlands