Marine Photo Competition - the winners!

Sussex Wildlife Trust and Sussex Underwater judges, joined by Sarah Cunliffe of Big Wave Productions, selected 12 finalists from the nearly 50 entries we received for our first ever marine-themed photography competition. Then it was over to the public, where just under 500 people voted for their favourite.

We are excited to announce that Teresa Jones is our winner, with her stunning photo – Chasing the Boat. Teresa’s image features a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, showing off their swimming skills in front of the iconic East Sussex iconic chalk cliffs. Our judges liked the energy of the photo, which captured a breaching individual in action.

Teresa said this about her image:

'I was on my way out in May 2024 from Brighton Marina to scuba dive the wreck Lass O'Doune, when a small pod of Bottlenose Dolphins decided to escort us. Our dive group from Ocean View Dive Club, Lancing, was so excited to see them. They were mesmerising, especially as we were up early for ropes-off at 7am! 

This was a snapshot from my iPhone. Strangely, the visibility underwater at the time was terrible due to the algae bloom, so I didn’t get any pictures with my underwater camera (Olympus TG6) which I had hoped for. I am very much an amateur photographer, but try to take good pictures both above and below water, because I have a great love of marine life.

My usual place for scuba diving and underwater photography with my camera and GoPro is with my buddies at Widewater beach, Lancing. There we have seen much sea life, apart from the usual we have also seen Seahorses, Undulate Rays and once a Triggerfish. This year we have seen an increase in seabed vegetation and the Mussel beds, which is helping with the increase in marine life.'

Our runner up was Clair Read, with her rather lovely image – Little Cuttle. The image is of a cute juvenile Common Cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, hiding amongst the shingle sea bed. Our judges enjoyed how the image demonstrates the cryptic nature of the species whilst exposing the delicate markings on the body.

Clair said this about her image

'The photo was taken near the Selsey Lifeboat Station, where there are the remains of two previous Lifeboat Stations that act as an artificial reef, attracting lots of wildlife. It’s one of my favourite dive sites, and for our first dive of the day, the sun was shining and the sea was calm. During the dive we saw several different species of crabs, Squat Lobsters, Common Lobsters, prawns, Pipefish, Bream, Pollack and several juvenile Cuttlefish. The juvenile Cuttlefish are usually quite difficult to spot as they change colour to blend in, and are understandably wary of divers. However, just as we were about to exit the water, this tiny 1" Cuttlefish took a liking to my camera, a Canon G7XII in an underwater housing with an Inon macro lens. It was very curious and either swimming right up to the lens or resting on the bottom. It's possible it could see its reflection in the lens. No flash was necessary as we were so shallow and the little Cuttlefish seemed happy for me to take lots of photos.'

Each of the 12 final images will be featured over the course of the next year as our ‘Marine Photo of the Month’, where we will explore more about the featured species and habitats.

Thanks to everyone who took part in the competition!