Prestigious farming and wildlife awards Celebrated in the Heart of our Biosphere
The ninth annual Isle of Man Splash In Photography Competition has once again highlighted the extraordinary life beneath the surface of Manx waters, reminding us of the rich natural environment that sits at the heart of our Biosphere.
Organised annually by Michelle Haywood at Discover Diving, the 2025 event welcomed entries from local snorkellers and divers, and included a newly introduced ‘Worldwide’ category.
Across six judging categories – Worldwide, Any Manx Image, Macro, Scenic, Novelty, and the Manx Biodiversity Portfolio – participants captured scenes that celebrate both the island’s marine ecosystems and the global connections that support them.
Lara Howe was named overall winner of the Biosphere award, securing top place in the Novelty, Worldwide, and Any Manx Image categories. Judges highlighted the vivid composition of her Worldwide winning image taken in Scottish waters, as well as the crisp detail in her Tompot blenny portrait. Her locally captured cuckoo wrasse photograph won the Any Manx Image category, showcasing the colourful species that thrives along the island’s reefs.
The Biodiversity Portfolio award was presented to Leigh Morris, whose four images demonstrated an impressive range of species – from spiny starfish to lion’s mane jellyfish – reflecting the diversity and resilience of Manx marine habitats.
Runner-up Karolina Ubraniak was praised for snorkelling images that reveal just how much life can be discovered in shallow coastal waters.
In the Scenic category, Pauline Berrie impressed judges with a striking portrait of a snakelocks anemone and also secured the Macro award with a detailed image of the nudibranch Coryphella lineata.
The Splash In Competition highlights the wonders in our waters and the importance of valuing and protecting the island’s surrounding seas, which make up 87% of our Biosphere designation.
Find out more about the competition here.
