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Irish photographer takes top honours in competition with rare image of courting sharks off the West Coast of Ireland

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The British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP) are once again pleased to announce results of The British and Irish Underwater Photography Championship (BIUPC) which was held on 4th September 2021.  

For Underwater Photographers, a “splash-in” is a competition that takes place on a single nominated day, when photographers jump into the water to compete against each other. Traditionally, these competitions have been restricted to particular locations, but BIUPC is unique in that it has developed a format to allow pictures to be taken anywhere within the coastal or inland waterways of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. This has hugely increased the richness and variety of pictures submitted for judging, and so truly allows for a snapshot of the underwater environment captured photographically around these shores under time pressure.

Nick Watson is the Chair of BSoUP and organiser of BIUPC each year, and has made this appeal to all Branch members for BIUPC 2022 and all future years: ‘The spirit of this competition is unique, and one where we as a diving and photographic community can capture the heart and spirit of our waters over 24 hours.  You don’t have to be the most experienced photographer or have the best equipment to get noticed (photography in general lends itself to being in the right place and at the right time).  So, I’d like to encourage as many Branch members in 2022 to take part in BIUPC, thus growing this body of history.  From my experience Branch members will be diving in areas where many unique images can be taken’.   

There are three main categories for competitors: 

  • Wide Angle (open)
  • Close Up (open) 
  • Compact Camera (restricted)

Each of these categories will have one winner, and one overall Champion is chosen from these 3 images.  The ultimate prize is the coveted Peter Scoones memorial Trophy.

There is also a category for:

  • Man’s Impact on UK and Irish Marine and freshwater Environments (but this isn’t included for the Overall Champion)
  • ‘Newcomers’ – those who haven’t been taking pictures underwater for more than three 3 years, and are eligible to become Overall Champion (it’s the quality of the image that counts not the equipment or experience)

76 images were submitted in total, with 34 entrants, 3 in the restricted category. Results were announced online at the BSoUP monthly meeting held on 21st September 2021. The judges were Atanas Petrov and John Collins. Results for BIUPC 2021 were as follows:

For more information about BSoUP visit the website by clicking here.

  • Fireworks Anemone and crab: Wide Angle Highly Commended by Yo-Han Cha

  • Gooseberry Galaxy: Wide Angle Highly Commended by Billy Arthur

  • River bed in dynamic flow: Wide Angle Runner Up by Damien McGuirk

  • Courting basking sharks: Wide Angle Winner by Martin Kiely

  • Sturgeons at Capernwray: Compact Camera Highly Commended by Karen Ho

  • Glen Strathallan wreck: Compact Camera Highly Commended by David John-Peake

  • Diver exploring the Podsnap: Compact Camera Runner Up by Karen Ho:

  • Long clawed squat lobster: Compact Camera Winner by Grant McCarry

  • Moonlight Gem: Close Up Highly Commended by Sandra Stalker

  • Anemone-covered ladder: Man’s Impact Highly Commended by Kirsty Andrews

  • Koi: Man’s Impact Highly Commended by Karen Ho

  • A long-clawed squat lobster poking its head out of an old discarded crisp packet: Man’s Impact Runner up by Trevor Rees

  • Bridge over troubled water: Man’s Impact Winner Paul Colley

  • Burrowing Anemone: Close Up Highly Commended by James Lynott

  • Yarrell’s blenny: Close Up Runner Up by Trevor Rees

  • Long Clawed Porcelain Crab: Close Up Winner by Cathy Lewis

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

Gear News

DYNAMICNORD to present full product range at Go Diving Show 2025

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The new German dive brand DYNAMICNORD is delighted to present its complete product line for the first time at the Go Diving Show in March 2025. Visitors can look forward to discovering the full diving range, including a complete snorkel and apnea line, as well as a swimwear range.

The international team brings decades of practical experience in diving and related technology. That’s why the German R&D team develops products based on a deep understanding of divers’ needs and desires under the premise “Innovation – Credibility – Functionality”. DYNAMICNORD products are driven by emotion and a sophisticated design process.

If you would like to see the full range and the new products, you are cordially invited to visit DYNAMICNORD at the Go Diving Show in hall 2, stand 120.

dynamicnord

Strong partner Scuba Dive Store

DYNAMICNORD is pleased to have a strong partner at its side. The well-known dealer Scuba Dive Store will be selling DYNAMICNORD products at the show. All divers are welcome to learn more about the DYNAMICNORD range and choose their favourite products.

You will find Scuba Dive Store in hall 2, stand 220 – next to the DYNAMICNORD stand.

Find out more about Scuba Dive Store here: www.scubadivestore.co.uk

New products

DYNAMICNORD will present its full product line to the trade show, as well as many new products. The diving world can look forward to regulators, dive computers, tech wings, BCDs, camouflage neoprene suits, drysuits, undergarments, and a complete snorkelling and apnea line, as well as a swimwear range.

Chance to win

There will be further highlights and a sweepstake at the trade show. Visitors have a chance to win a regulator. Find out more on our social channels:

www.facebook.com/dynamicnord.official

www.instagram.com/dynamicnord.official/

The whole DYNAMICNORD team is looking forward to meeting divers and partners.

DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.

www.dynamicnord.com

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Marine Life & Conservation

IUCN Spotlights Green Fins at Bali Ocean Days 2025, Calling for Stronger Business Model in Marine Conservation

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IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Global Ocean Director, Minna Epps, has spotlighted Green Fins Indonesia along with a call for stronger business models that sustain marine conservation. Speaking at the inaugural session of Bali Ocean Days 2025 held on 7-8 February, Epps emphasised the need for sustainable financing to support and scale marine conservation initiatives such as Green Fins.

conservation

Activities earlier in the week with the Coral Triangle Center in Sanur and Ceningan Divers in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area shaped the IUCN Ocean Director’s message at the conference and showcase, aligning with the theme of the blue economy and impact finance to sustain marine ecosystems.

conservation

“Tourism has such a big impact on marine biodiversity, and we need it to adhere to a certain code of conduct,” Epps said. “That is why through our funding facilities, we worked with The Reef-World Foundation advancing Green Fins so dive operators can become certified with standards. But this kind of initiative has been around for a long time and it’s also a tool used to improve [MPA management], but it needs to come with a business model. I also believe in market-based instruments to evolve this programme.”

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IUCN’s visit is part of their Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility (BNCFF), which supports at least 21 projects around the world, building the business case for investing in the future of our ocean.

In Indonesia, the project supported by IUCN was developed in partnership with The Reef-World Foundation, the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) and the Coral Triangle Center, which serves as the local implementing organisation for Green Fins. The initiative engages marine tourism businesses through voluntary sustainability certification based on the only internationally recognised environmental standards for diving and snorkelling operations. Green Fins’ activities aim to reduce negative environmental impacts associated with marine tourism activities as well as improve the management of marine protected areas.

conservation

IUCN’s promotion of Green Fins in Bali Ocean Days signals the need for greater private sector engagement in marine conservation across Indonesia and beyond.

Investors, donors, marine tourism operators and stakeholders looking to support scalable marine conservation solutions are encouraged to explore opportunities with The Reef-World Foundation, the international coordinator of the Green Fins initiative. To learn more about sustainable marine tourism and how to get involved, visit www.reef-world.org.

conservation

About Reef-World

The Reef-World Foundation is a registered UK charity which delivers practical solutions for marine conservation around the world. The charity promotes the wise use of natural resources – particularly coral reefs and related ecosystems – for the benefit of local communities, visitors and future generations. It is dedicated to supporting, inspiring and empowering governments, businesses, communities and individuals around the world to act in conserving and sustainably developing coastal resources.

Reef-World leads the global implementation of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative, which focuses on driving environmentally friendly scuba diving and snorkelling practices across the industry globally. As such, the charity provides low-cost and practical solutions to local and industry-wide environmental challenges associated with the marine tourism industry. It provides education and capacity-building assistance to empower environmental champions (within the diving industry, local communities, authorities and governments) to implement proven coastal resource management approaches.

Visit www.reef-world.org to learn more or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X.

About Green Fins

Green Fins is a proven conservation management approach – spearheaded by The Reef-World Foundation in partnership with the UN Environment Programme – which leads to a measurable reduction in the negative environmental impacts associated with the marine tourism industry. The initiative aims to protect and conserve coral reefs through environmentally friendly guidelines that promote a sustainable diving and snorkelling tourism industry. It provides the only internationally recognised environmental standards for the diving and snorkelling industry and has a robust assessment system to measure compliance.

Green Fins encourages and empowers members of the diving industry to act to reduce the pressures on coral reefs by offering dive and snorkel companies practical, low-cost alternatives to harmful practices – such as anchoring, fish feeding and chemical pollution – as well as providing strategic training, support and resources. By reducing the local direct and indirect pressures tourism puts on coral reefs, it helps make corals healthier and more resilient to other stresses such as the effects of climate change. Look for the Green Fins logo when booking your next dive trip.Visit www.greenfins.net to learn more or follow the initiative on Facebook, Instagram and X.

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