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2010: One Earth Award - Winner

Jordi Chias Enlarge image Turtle in trouble

Jordi Chias (Spain)

Turtle in trouble

It's an image that communicates in one emotive hit the damage being done to the world's oceans. Jordi came across this desperate scene when sailing between Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, hoping to photograph dolphins. 'I spotted the abandoned net drifting along the surface,' says Jordi. As he dived down to investigate, he could see the loggerhead turtle tangled up in the netting. 'The poor creature must have been trapped for some days, it was so badly knotted up.' Though it could just reach the surface to breathe by extending its neck, it was still sentenced to a long, cruel death. 'I felt as though it were looking at me for help as it tried to bite through the netting.' Jordi released it, allowing one individual a second chance. Given that all species of sea turtles are endangered, they need all the help they can get.

Nikon D300 + Tokina Fisheye 10-17mm f3.5-4.5 DX lens; 1/160 sec at f14; ISO 200; housing; Inon strobes.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.

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