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An olive ridley turtle caught in discarded fishing gear—we were fortunately able to free her
 

We often embark on an adventure in search of a particular animal or image and that subject does not end up being the most memorable or lasting encounter of the trip. I set out on an expedition to Sri Lanka in search of the largest animal that has ever lived, and while we were unsuccessful in finding a blue whale during the week, what we did encounter left a far deeper and more emotional impression.

Olive ridley turtles are common in Sri Lankan waters, and throughout the trip we repeatedly came across individuals floating lifeless at the surface—victims of boat strikes or drowned from entanglements in fishing gear. These encounters were sad and sobering reminders of the pressures marine life faces in heavily trafficked waters, due entirely to human presence and interference. The pictures are not pleasing to look at nor fun to take, but there is no question they can be powerful and visceral, even if they make the viewer uncomfortable.
 

A brutal picture of an olive ridley’s turtle that was struck by a boat
 

Throughout the world’s oceans, discarded fishing gear—commonly referred to as “ghost nets”—take a horrific toll on marine life, which gets tangled and ensared, often dying of drowning, exhaustion, or starvation
 

During one return journey to our resort, after a day spent unsuccessfully looking for whales, we spotted a turtle struggling at the surface near an active fishing boat. As our captain brought us closer, it became clear the turtle was ensnared in discarded ghost nets and was drifting within the boat’s active fishing gear. After speaking with the fishermen and receiving their permission, my wife, our captain, and I entered the water to assess the situation.

The turtle’s back flipper was tightly bound and strangled by the netting. As we worked to free it, we discovered this turtle already sported wounds from a previous encounter with nets or a boat—tragically, it was already missing a front flipper. Carefully cutting away the ropes, we released its trapped flipper and watched as it swam off, now relying on only one flipper on one side of its body. Its ultimate fate remains unknown, but we did what we could to give it a fighting chance and I like to think that that beautiful turtle is still out there, finding its way.

Though not a glamorous image, I felt compelled to document the moment. I titled the photograph “Survivor” to honor the turtle’s resilience and will to live, and to serve as a quiet but powerful reminder of the lasting impact human activity has on these remarkable marine creatures.
 

“Survivor” won Gold in the Conservation category of the DPG Masters 2025 Underwater Imaging Competition (Sony A7R Mark V, Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye, Nauticam housing, f/11, 1/800s, ISO 320)
 

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