We are delighted to announce the 2025 Shark Photographer of the Year! 

Along with all the category winners, runners up and the images that were awarded highly commended.

There were 343 images entered, 34 made it in the finals They have been exhibited at Ocean Studios, Royal William Yard, Plymouth in July. And they will be at the Go Diving Show at the end of February. 

The images show off the incredible diversity of sharks and rays from around the world. Taken in 34 different countries and representing 76 shark and ray species.

The Shark Photographer of the Year 2025 winner is

Julian Hebestreit

With this shot of an Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark (or Zebra Shark) taken in Australia

“This photograph is at first glance quite simple, but with a depth that rewards repeated views. The golden form of the Indo-Pacific Leopard shark stands in vivid contrast to the dark rock and the white sand. Placing it small in the frame creates a sense of drama rather than distance. For me, it suggests the precarious existence of our remaining sharks, this golden species representing treasure in dark times. Simon Rogerson (Shark Trust Patron and one of the trio of judges)”

British Isles Category

Winner: Smallspotted Catshark by Hector Clarke	Runner Up: Blue Shark by Colin Garrett	Runner Up: Basking Shark by James Lea

Overseas Category

Winner: Migrating mobular rays by Martin Broen	Runner Up: Port Jackson Shark by Vadim Belakhov	Runner Up: Chimaera by Galice Hoarau

Oceanics Programme

The Oceanics Programme is a wide-ranging advocacy effort which targets the conservation of oceanic sharks and rays. Oceanic sharks are some of the most iconic and functionally important species in our ocean. They are exceptionally threatened by overfishing and urgent action is required to ensure their long-term sustainability.

Winner: Silky Sharks by Byron Conway	Runner Up: Thresher Shark by László Földi

Living with Sharks Programme

Living with Sharks is a new cross-disciplinary project which seeks to identify emerging issues and co-create equitable solutions with affected communities. It will focus on three main groups: beachgoers, recreational anglers and those taking part in shark and ray eco-tourism activities such as scuba diving or snorkeling. 

Winner: Blue Shark by Gillian Marsh	Runner Up: Whale Shark by László Földi

Mediterranean Programme

The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot of extinction risk for sharks and rays. A complex body of water home to nearly 80 species of shark and ray, of which at least 53% are at risk of extinction. Surrounded by 22 different countries across 3 continents, and home to over 77,000 small boats, the Mediterranean Sea is subject to a broad range of diverse fisheries pressures. Working through a network of regional partners, the Mediterranean Programme spans policy engagement, species-specific recovery programmes, and community engagement.

Winner: Angelshark by Linda Mazza	Runner Up: Angular Rough Shark by Andrej A. Gajić

Great Eggcase Hunt

The Great Eggcase Hunt is the flagship citizen science project from the Shark Trust. It not only asks people walking beaches around the world to search for empty eggcases washed ashore, but also divers and snorkellers to look out for live, developing eggcases underwater. These are perhaps the most valuable sightings that we receive as they reveal exactly where sharks and skates lay their eggs. This improves our understanding of which areas are critical habitat.

Winner: Pyjama Shark eggcase by Grant Evans	Runner Up: Smallspotted Catshark eggcase by Tom Ingram

Young Shark Photographer of the Year 2025 winner is

And finally, the Young Shark Photographer of the Year 2025 was awarded to Panitbhand Paribatra Na Ayudhya for his image of a Whale Shark feeding at the surface. 

“I was very excited to see with my own eyes the largest fish in the world feeding on some of the smallest living creatures in the ocean. For me, enjoying this moment is not all there is, we must take action to help ensure these incredible, gentle giants of the sea survive. I believe that together we can help Whale Sharks live and swim freely in their ocean home, allowing them to share this planet with us for years to come.”

Highly Commended

Yellow Stingray by Billy Rolls	Smalltooth Sand Tiger Shark by Claude Lespagne	Bull Shark by Dana McConnell
Wobbegong by Galice Hoarau	Great Hammerhead Shark by Laura Storm	Caribbean Reef Shark by Martin Broen
Wobbegong by Philippe Lassalas	Oceanic Whitetip Shark by Remuna Beca	Shortfin Mako Shark by Rowan Dear
Great Hammerhead Shark by Rowan Dear	Silky Sharks by Steven Lopez	Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark by Vadim Belakhov
Spotted Eagle Ray by Jean-Baptiste Cazajous	Indo-Pacific Leopard Sharks by Joshua Blank	Pelagic Thresher Shark by Micheal Gallagher
Smooth Hammerhead Shark by Melissa Nel	Whale Shark by Mizy Maldives	Thresher Shark by Megan Shea-Graff

Thank you to all the photographer who entered. These images will help the Shark Trust communicate its work on shark and ray conservation for many years to come.

Thank you to the competition sponsors, without whom this competition would not be possible