"I've never seen anything like it": photographer captures haunting contrast between life and death as Northern Gannet hangs from fishing line beneath nesting cliffs – the image now wins prestigious conservation award

Photographer Joshua Galicki described a haunting scene as he witnessed a Northern Gannet, a bird known for its dramatic plunges into the sea, hanging from a fishing line among other birds on the cliffs where they nest. The stark black and white image captured by Galicki emphasizes the stark contrast between life and death, a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by this species.

Galicki's photograph, taken at the Isle of Noss in the Shetland Islands, has been named the Conservation category winner in the 2026 Audubon Photography Awards. The event spotlights photographers whose work highlights birds and the struggles they encounter. Gannets, known for their impressive dive into the water to catch fish, sometimes face threats from commercial fishing operations, becoming entangled in fishing nets and drowning.

Interestingly, while building their nests on these island cliffs, they may inadvertently incorporate strands of discarded fishing gear, which they incorporate into their nests using grass, seaweed, and other materials. Both adult and young gannets can become trapped in these unyielding synthetic fibers. The photographer emphasized the scene's dramatic nature, comparing it to a painterly tableau where life and death coexist. The monochromatic color scheme amplifies the scene's emotional weight.