UPY 2025

UPY  Save our Seas Foundation Marine Conservation - Highly Commended
'Conch Graveyard'
Dan Mele

Queen conch (Strombus gigas) populations are overharvested throughout most of the Caribbean, and the British Virgin Islands are no exception. Off the coast of Anegada lies one of the largest conch middens (graveyards) in the region. Carbon dating and artifacts found in the massive pile reveal these mounds are as old as 1250 AD and likely date back even earlier.
When we arrived by boat, the scale of the middens was hard to grasp—some mounds rose higher than the boat itself. Launching a drone revealed sprawling mazes of discarded shells, with piles extending underwater, yet to reach the surface. As I flew overhead, a lone fisherman worked nearby, extracting conchs from their shells and adding to the centuries-old pile.

Judge's comment: Although I was aware of what this image was and where is was taken, we selected it as a winner because it its graphics draw people in and we knew the caption would surprise and shock. Even away from large centres of populations and industrial fishing, humans have been significantly diminishing the oceans since pre-history. It should make us all truly consider what pristine and natural should look like.

Alex Mustard