UPY 2025

UPY  Save our Seas Foundation Marine Conservation - Highly Commended
'Lesser evil?'
Michal Bazala

As this aquaculture pen emerged from the misty Atlantic waters, I was astonished by the sight of giant nets holding hundreds of tons of fish. Even larger nets are employed by trawlers, harvesting the biodiversity of our oceans. With most waters already overfished and facing a global decline in biodiversity, sea farming appears to be a reasonable solution. In fact, half of our seafood now originates from aquaculture. Is it better to farm fish than to catch them? It depends on how aquaculture is organized. It may be detrimental to local waters, particularly coastal ones, while preserving other marine regions from being stripped of their biodiversity. It undoubtedly keeps fish in cramped conditions, but it does spare countless bycatch victims and protects the seabed from degradation.

Judge's comment: A magnificent composition that is both storytelling and graphically intriguing. The shot is wonderfully times to catch the large bream through one of the holes that really anchors the entire composition. A real favourite in a very strong category.
Alex Mustard