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Forbes has learned that the Shark Trust has announced its winners for the 2025 Shark Photographer of the Year competition.
This year’s winning image was shot by Julian Hebenstreit in Australia and features a golden body of a zebra shark set against dark rock and pale sand. The stunning photograph may seem simple at first glance, but it subtly conveys the delicate state of shark survival today. Hebenstreit’s composition and contrast are a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting these ancient creatures.
Other notable winners include Hector Clarke, who won the UK title with his image of a small-spotted catshark resting on a bed of brittle stars in Scotland’s Loch Carron. His shot underscores the significance of seabed habitats for shark survival, demonstrating how various animals rely on this ecosystem to survive.
Martin Broen also took home an award for capturing a black-and-white split-shot showing a school of rays swimming beneath a boat off the coast of Mexico during a mobula ray migration. This stunning image showcases the connection between what’s above and below the surface – and who is watching whom.
Grant Evans won in the citizen science-focused Great Eggcase Hunt category for a photograph depicting pyjama shark eggcases nestled among sea fans in South Africa, highlighting the importance of preserving crucial nursery habitats like the seafloor.
In another notable achievement, Panitbhand Paribatra Na Ayudhya was named Young Shark Photographer of the Year award winner for his image of a whale shark feeding at the surface. This photograph carries a message of hope, emphasizing that it’s essential to take action to help ensure the survival of these incredible creatures.
It is crucial to emphasize that all submitted photographs will be used to support shark and ray conservation efforts in the long run. The finalist images are on display in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, until the end of the month, serving as both a celebration and a call to action.
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Source: www.forbes.com
