The print competition was staged in association with The Wildlife Trusts, who were seeking an image for its Marine Bill campaign.

The purpose of the campaign is to ensure that the Marine Bill contains strong and effective measures to protect marine habitats and wildlife, including a suite of Marine Reserves. The photographer of the image(s) selected (in either the British & Irish category or the Advanced category) will be asked to allow his/ her image to be used for purposes of the campaign.

Grey Seal, Farne Islands – Martha Tressler
Winner

The Grey Seal is one of the more playful inhabitants of our seas, however seals could face an uncertain future as the fatal and highly contagious distemper virus (PDV) has been recorded in Denmark with fears it could spread to UK shores.

Jewel anemones – Sally Sharrock

Jewel anemones are a type of coral. At times they form large, bright, multicoloured colonies, individuals clone resulting in whole colonies that have the same parent. Small, exquisite and beautifully coloured, jewel anemones are appropriately named.

Boy jumping – Trevor Rees

Rock pools are some of the most interesting and diverse areas on the sea shore. Some organisms may spend their entire lives in a single rock pool. It a hard life living in a rock pool where dog whelks predate other snails using a drill-like tongue and secretion of acid to get through the shell and soften the insides. Snake lock anemones fire darts of poison at any passing prey then entangle them in their tentacle waiting for them to die.

Basking Shark – JP Trenque

The basking shark is the biggest wild animal to regularly visit Britain. They can grow up to 12m in length and can weigh up to 7 tonnes. This mighty behemoth chooses to spend most of each summer in coastal waters around Britain, often feeding at the surface in the view of the land. Although it has teeth, they have little to with the feeding process, as the basking shark, in common with many of the great whales, feeds only on tiny phytoplankton.

BSoUP extends its thanks to Tony Backhurst Scuba, the National Marine Aquarium, Canon UK, Ocean Optics Ltd, Cameras Underwater, A.P Valves, Ultimate Sports, Sea & Sea, Martin Edge and Ocean Visions for sponsorship.

In addition to our sponsors who have provided prizes, BSoUP is grateful to the National Marine Aquarium charity for providing running costs of the print competition.

BSoUP also extend its thanks to Alan James Photography, AP Valves, Greenaway Marine, Ocean Optics Ltd, and The Image Centre who have each provided trophies for the BSoUP annual Splash-in competition.

BSoUP thanks the judges Peter Rowlands, John McIntyre and Kelvin Boot.

BSoUP is grateful to all those members and their guests who helped to make the event such a success. First and foremost Martha Tressler, Anthony Holley and JP Trenque helped by Dave Peake, Jane Morgan, Mike Russell, Muna Muammar, Maria Munn, Pete Ladell, Gill McDonald, Jan Maloney, Brian Pitkin, Alison Major and Martin Davies.