By Sharon Thompson, Senior Marine Policy Officer
Along with one of the judges, our very own RSPB Birds Magazine editor Mark Ward, I got to see some fabulous photographs at the British Wildlife Photography Awards on Friday evening.
I was particularly pleased that the overall winner was a stunning image of a jellyfish taken off the North West coast of Scotland (you can see it in the latest copy of Birds Magazine). The image by Richard Shucksmith, was of Pelegia noctiluca, to give it its full scientific name, but I’m not sure it’s common name – the mauve stinger – will help endear this much maligned species to many folk. But while I wouldn’t want to stroke one, I can still appreciate its ethereal beauty.
On accepting his prize from TV naturalist and RSPB Vice-President (Youth), Nick Baker, Richard took the words out of my mouth by telling the audience how he was always keen, through his photos, to share the wonder, beauty and vibrancy of British sealife. And that you don’t have to expend lots of carbon, jetting off to tropical beaches, to see colourful marine life as we’ve got it all here too – corals, seahorses, sharks, dolphins, and of course spectacular seabirds.
The keynote speech at the awards was due to have been given by the Minister responsible for our marine environment, Richard Benyon, but unfortunately he couldn’t make it. It’s doubly unfortunate as I think he would have been inspired by the great photos in the Marine and Coastal category. Practically all were of what are termed mobile species – in short animals that move around, like seabirds, basking sharks, fish, dolphins, seals and jellyfish of course, rather than live a relatively sedentary life on the seabed. And mobile species are sorely under-represented in the proposals for Marine Protected Areas that the Minister and his officials will be reviewing for public consultation in the next few months.
There is an opportunity now to ask the Minister to make sure that mobile species are properly protected, and that Marine Protected Areas are included for them in the proposals. If you’d like to help us and support our call, please step up and sign our pledge.
And once you’ve done that, check out the winning photos here.