UPY 2025

UPY  British Waters Living Together - Third
'SS Baygitano'
Kirsty Andrews

Fish soup. This is how the wreck of the SS Baygitano is often described. She sits in only 20m of water, just off the shore, and is unparalleled for the sheer number of bib above the wreckage as well as large conger eels filling every likely crevice. This conger was particularly large, fitting snugly into its hole, but I couldn’t believe it when I looked more closely and saw a lobster tucked snugly into the same spot. The lobster moved off shortly after this shot. Although it’s the first time I’ve seen this behaviour, I understand that these species are known to cohabit, with the lobster feeding off the conger’s scraps, as long as it’s fully grown enough not to be a meal in itself.

Judge's comment: A living blizzard of life makes this image irresistible. Fish galore, and a focal point of the odd couple, bunk mates on the wreck of the SS Baygitano.

Alex Mustard