UPY 2025

UPY  British Waters Wide Angle - Highly Commended
'Catshark in Kelp'
Shannon Moran

In the spring we had a period of warm, calm and clear weather; perfect for exploring those hard to reach dive sites and a welcome relief after a winter of poor diving conditions. On this day the conditions aligned, with slack tides and calm seas we ventured to Mullion Harbour on the south coast of Cornwall to explore the rich seas which surround the historic harbour walls. To our delight we were greeted by sunshine and excellent visibility, at over 10m this is quite a rare sight in the UK. We encountered many species of fish and crustacean amongst the rocky reef and kelp forest, such as this small-spotted catshark taking advantage of the calm weather and resting beneath the kelp forest canopy.

Judge's comment: Such a vibrant image, it is a fantastic advert for diving in British Waters. The composition is beautifully lit and encourages us to enjoy both the shark and the kelp forest.

Alex Mustard