UPY 2025

UPY  Save our Seas Foundation Marine Conservation - Highly Commended
'The rings of death'
Javier Murcia

Plastics are a serious problem for human health and for the biodiversity of our seas and oceans. A simple piece of plastic to hold soda or beer cans can be a death trap for many marine species. From turtles and seabirds to cetaceans and fish. In this case, a large fish (Symphodus tinca) has been a victim of these plastics and the poor fish was very exhausted, but was swimming very slowly. For once, though, the ending is a happy one, because I was able to free him from the plastic and although he was tired he swam off towards the meadows.

Judge's comment: This is a powerful image and an original one too about the problems of plastic pollution in the ocean. The problem plastic here is very recognisable, from a six pack of beer cans, and the emotion is charged by the desperate face of the wrasse. The spacious composition will also be well suited for this image being adopted in campaigns.
Alex Mustard