The Shark Belief has introduced the winners of its 2025 Shark Photographer of the 12 months Competitors to have a good time this 12 months’s Shark Consciousness Day (14 July).
Entries had been obtained from 34 nations and represented 76 totally different species of shark, ray, skate and chimaera.
An exhibition of the finalists’ pictures is presently on show in Plymouth, the house of the Shark Belief, the place they are going to stay till the tip of Shark Month (typically referred to as ‘July’!)
The best accolade on this 12 months’s competitors, Shark Photographer of the 12 months 2025, has been awarded to Julian Hebenstreit for his gorgeous shot of an Indo-Pacific leopard shark (also called zebra sharks) in Australia (scroll down for the winners).
Shark Belief Patron Simon Rogerson, considered one of a trio of judges that had the powerful job of choosing the winners, stated: ‘This {photograph} is at first look fairly easy, however with a depth that rewards repeated views.
‘The golden type of the Indo-Pacific Leopard shark stands in vivid distinction to the darkish rock and the white sand. Inserting it small within the body creates a way of drama moderately than distance. For me, it suggests the precarious existence of our remaining sharks, this golden species representing treasure in darkish instances.’
Julian has gained a package deal of lodging and shark diving in The Bahamas courtesy of Various Journey and The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. He additionally receives the Shark Belief Shark Photographer of the 12 months 2025 trophy.
The judges picked out an additional two excellent pictures because the British and Abroad Winners, with awards going to Hector Clarke and Martin Broen respectively, who obtained Mares dive computer systems along with their trophies.
Hector’s picture of Small Spotter Catshark mendacity on a mass of brittle stars in Loch Carron, Scotland highlights simply why the seabed is so necessary to many species, together with sharks and rays, whereas Martin’s eye-catching split-shot captures the mobular ray migration in Mexico in dramatic black and white.
Paul Cox, Shark Belief CEO, stated: ‘The spotlight of the images competitors for me is the great range of sharks and rays represented and the standard of pictures throughout the board.
‘We’re grateful to each one of many photographers for collaborating and sharing their love of sharks with the world.’
For extra info and to see the whole record of winners, runners up and extremely recommended pictures, head to www.sharktrust.org/shark-photographer-of-the-year-2025
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Shark Photographer of the 12 months 2025
Julian Hebenstreit – Indo-Pacific Leopard shark, Julian Rocks, Australia
Photographer Feedback: I took this photograph at a well-liked dive web site off Byron Bay in New South Wales, Australia. The climate had been horrible all week with sturdy winds and rain, which continued after I took this photograph. It was chilly and darkish, sturdy waves gushing towards the small rock island that marks the dive web site.
Once I assume again to the second of this seize, I keep in mind the stark distinction between the wild and uncomfortable outdoors and the calm and quiet world under the water.
The leopard shark is an extremely elegant shark with its pronounced physique strains and lengthy tail fin, carrying an immense presence within the water. I used to be freediving that day, and the shark handed me at about 15m deep, which is after I determined to try to seize the great thing about this animal to the most effective of my capacity.
I chosen this picture as a result of it jogs my memory why I do what I do. Why I dive, why I discover, and attempt to defend. It’s not nearly documenting wildlife; it’s about conveying the delicate great thing about the ocean in a means that makes individuals care. I imagine the distinction on this picture is what makes it stand out.
You’ll be able to really feel the chilly and darkish water by means of the photograph, with the nice and cozy and angel-like presence of the leopard shark towards the frigid background. The chance of interacting with a leopard shark is a reminiscence I’m intensely grateful for, as there are in all probability solely a handful of places on the earth the place you possibly can encounter them constantly.
It was actually a privilege to have been in a position to seize this species and display the calming but intense presence that these animals have.
British Isles Winner
Hector Clarke – Smallspotted catshark, Loch Carron, Scotland
Photographer Feedback: This picture was taken in Loch Carron, Northwestern Scotland. The narrowing of this specific Loch close to its junction with the Atlantic forces big quantities of nutrient wealthy water by means of a small channel, making a hotspot for marine biodiversity.
Regardless of the fierce tidal currents, these narrows are my favorite place within the UK to come across small-spotted catsharks. I discovered this particular person resting on a mattress of brittle starfish at round twenty metres depth. It appeared very snug with my presence, permitting me to get exceptionally shut.
I like how this picture captures the density and variety of life on this space, all the way in which from the multicoloured brittle stars to the exquisitely patterned catshark.
Abroad Winner
Martin Broen – Mobula ray migration, Baja California, Mexico
Photographer Feedback: This evocative black-and-white split-shot {photograph} captures the extraordinary Mobula ray migration off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.
Under the floor, a dense faculty of rays types a luminous, geometric ballet, their our bodies catching shafts of daylight filtering by means of the ocean. Above, a small boat with observers floats quietly, a silent witness to considered one of nature’s most sleek spectacles.
Annually, hundreds of mobula rays collect within the nutrient-rich waters of the Gulf of California—a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and one of the vital biodiverse marine environments on the planet.
These acrobatic family of manta rays are recognized for his or her synchronised swimming and aerial leaps, making their migration a wide ranging show of collective behaviour. Baja’s mobula migration shouldn’t be solely a visible marvel but additionally an important ecological occasion.
Lately, conservation efforts by native communities and worldwide organisations have intensified, aiming to curb bycatch, defend vital habitats, and regulate tourism practices.
Sustainable ecotourism now performs a rising position in elevating consciousness and funding for cover, serving to be sure that these rays proceed their historical journey by means of Mexico’s marine corridors.
Mediterranean Programme Winner
Linda Mazza – Angelshark, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Photographer Remark: This photograph was taken off La Graciosa, a tiny island north of Lanzarote, at a dive web site known as Montaña Amarilla.
I chosen it for a number of causes. Angel sharks are critically endangered, making any encounter particular – although sadly, for all of the flawed causes. They’re additionally one of many focus species of the Shark Belief, which provides private significance to this shot.
What I really like about this photograph is that it doesn’t seize the traditional, angel-shaped silhouette mostly seen – often taken from above to indicate their distinctive markings, camouflage, and evolutionary perfection. As an alternative, it is a close-up portrait, taken purely by probability.
I used to be observing one other shark after I instantly discovered myself face-to-face with this one. Fortunately, I had my digicam prepared. I rapidly zoomed in and captured the second earlier than quietly transferring away in order to not disturb it. The ensuing picture exhibits an uncommon and maybe much less flattering perspective.
It reveals the flattened head, eyes, barely open mouth, barbels, and pores and skin texture in vivid element – even the injuries and imperfections. This uncooked portrayal highlights not solely their vulnerability but additionally their misunderstood nature in an more and more threatened ocean.
For me, this photograph breaks the same old barrier between viewer and shark. It creates an sudden intimacy. At that second, I felt extremely privileged – I might sense the shark’s sentience and quiet expressiveness. Seeing its eyes and dermal denticles up shut stirred actual empathy and awe.
Residing within the Canary Islands, I see angel sharks on most of my dives, however I had by no means been face-to-face with one like this. It was a very particular second.
Residing With Sharks Winner
Gillian Marsh – Blue shark, Cornwall, England
Photographer Feedback: This can be a pure mild picture, taken whereas snorkelling in Cornwall, roughly 15-17 miles out from Penzance.
It was the August financial institution vacation in 2017 and we had superb situations, with blue skies and sunshine, clear blue water and flat calm seas. We had put out a pal slick to draw the blue sharks however, over the course of two days, we had all of it, not solely loads of sharks, however a gaggle of widespread dolphins, a big faculty of blue-fin tuna, a basking shark and even a bait ball within the distance. It was a very magnificent expertise.
The blue sharks had been daring and curious and we 4 snorkelers had plenty of good interactions with them, however I significantly just like the interplay on this picture. It’s tempting to think about the shark is asking the photographer “Have you ever acquired my greatest aspect?”
Nice Eggcase Hunt Winner
Grant Evans – Pyjama catshark (egg), Cape City, South Africa
Photographer Feedback: This picture was taken on the wreck of HMSAS Pietermaritzburg, a warship scuttled in 1994 to be a man-made reef in False Bay, South Africa.
This picture was taken throughout peak diving season within the space, and this dive confirmed why, with 20m of visibility and considerable life within the water and on the wreck. C
atsharks are my favorite group of sharks, and I used to be very excited to return throughout this eggcase, wrapped round a sea fan. I had seen it earlier than, however by no means so securely, nearly strangling the coral.
I took this image as I discovered it a curious sight, and you will need to acknowledge the sharks’ life phases earlier than it’s a absolutely shaped shark that’s so usually seen gliding by means of the close by kelp forests.
It additionally highlights the significance of the ocean flooring for these animals, as they want these sea followers to safe their egg instances safely. Backside trawling threatens these corals and the egg depositing websites of catsharks in South Africa.
Younger Photographer of the 12 months
Panitbhand Paribatra – Whale shark, Maldives
Photographer Feedback: This was my first encounter with a Whale Shark, in April 2025, within the Maldives. It was such a joyful and unforgettable second.
I used to be very excited to see with my very own eyes the most important fish on the earth feeding on a number of the smallest dwelling creatures within the ocean.
For me, having fun with this second shouldn’t be all there may be, we should take motion to assist guarantee these unbelievable, light giants of the ocean survive.
I imagine that collectively we will help Whale Sharks dwell and swim freely of their ocean house, permitting them to share this planet with us for years to return.
For extra from the Shark Belief head to www.sharktrust.org, or observe the workforce on Instagram @thesharktrust
