UPY 2025

UPY  Save our Seas Foundation Marine Conservation - Highly Commended
'Hanging by a thread'
Joost van Uffelen

Anthropogenic marine debris is a global issue sadly and a lot of its impact materializes beyond our sight. Northern gannets build nests out of seaweed and other vegetation. Sadly, they also find leftovers from the fishing industry out at sea and use it often to construct their nests on remote cliffs. A scientific research in 2019 identified that out of 7280 nests researched 46% used marine debris, like fishing gear.
This image was taken at the Isle of Noss in Shetland where this gannet died when it entangled itself in its own nesting material made out of rope. It must have fought for its life trying to free itself. After suffocating, the seabird hung on this string for weeks on end before the decomposing body must have given way to gravity. It is a stark visual reminder that human debris impacts seabirds worldwide massively.

Judge's comment: Like all good powerful reportage images, this initially evokes sadness which very soon turns to anger and then there’s the guilt and the realisation that the natural world would be far safer without us. Point taken.

Peter Rowlands