When Shane Gross’s friend first saw the turtle while diving, it was enough to reduce her to tears.

Down amid the natural beauty of the Atlantic Ocean, just off the Bahamas, this noble animal had been snared and killed by an entirely man-made danger: abandoned fishing equipment.

A hook protruded from the creature’s decomposing tongue and its body had been tangled in the mesh. Its eye sockets were empty it had been there so long.

But Gross, a photographer by profession, was determined the creature would not die in vain.

He dived down with his camera and snapped the small scene of horror.

“Images like this can become warnings for the future,” the Canadian said after the resulting picture won first place in the eighth annual Ocean Art Underwater Photography Contest.

Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Show all 41 1 /41 Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Conservation category - "Victim" 1st Place - A turtle long dead trapped in fishing line in Eleuthera, Bahamas. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Shane Gross /SWNS.com Shane Gross /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Super macro category -"Clownfish Eggs" 1st Place - Shot in Tulamben, Indonesia. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Paolo Isgro / SWNS.com Paolo Isgro /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Portrait category - Toads" - 3rd Place - Shot in Bolzano, Italy. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Claudo Zori / SWNS.com Claudo Zori /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Conservation category -"Trapped" - 2nd Place - anglerfish trapped in a net in Punta Chiappa Camogli, Italy. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Alessandro Grasso /SWNS.com Alessandro Grasso /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Portrait category - "Silky Portrait and Sunset" 5th Place . See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Mok Wai Hoe / SWNS.com Mok Wai Hoe /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Portrait category - Honorable Mention - a smiling shark in Florida, USA. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Galice Hoarau / SWNS.com Galice Hoarau /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Portrait category - "Cormoran Underwater" Honorable Mention - Shot in La Paz, Mexico. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Greg Lecoeur / SWNS.com Greg Lecoeur /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Novice wide angle category -"The Blue Arch" 2nd Place - Shot in Cebu, Philippines See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. George Kuo-Wei Kao/ SWNS.com George Kuo-Wei Kao /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Underwater art category -"Narcissism" - 4th Place - Underwater artist in Daegu, South Korea. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Tae Wook Kang/SWNS.com Tae Wook Kang /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Super macro category - "Spikefin Goby" - 4th Place - Shot in Cebu, Philippines. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Qing Lin / SWNS.com Qing Lin /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Underwater art category -"Hairy at Sunrise" 2nd Place - Shot in Ambon, Indonesia. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Enrico Somogyi/SWNS.com Enrico Somogyi /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Wide angle category - "Under the Pier" Honorable Mention - A shoal of fish under a pier in Alor, Indonesia. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Jose Antonio Castellano/SWNS.com Jose Antonio Castellano/SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Wide angle category - "The Cave" - Honorable Mention - A diver expores a cave in Tuscany, Italy. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Alessandro Buzzicheli/SWNS.com Alessandro Buzzicheli/SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Wide angle category - "Paradise" 5th Place - A coral reef in Fakarava, French Polynesia. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Taeyup Kim/SWNS.com Taeyup Kim/SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Wide angle category - "Blur of Sweetlips" - 1st Place - a shoal of Sweetlips fish in Raja Ampat, Indonesia . See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Nicholas More/SWNS.com Nicholas More/SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Macro cetegory - "Flamboyant in Space" 5th Place - Shot in Anilao, Philippines. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Hakan Basar /SWNS.com Hakan Basar /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Compact wide angle cetegory - "Coconut Octopus" Honorable Mention - Shot in Sipalay, Philippines See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Enrico Somogyi /SWNS.com Enrico Somogyi/SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Macro cetegory - "Radiography" - 1st Place - Shot in Puerto Galera, Philippines See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Stephano Cerbai /SWNS.com Stephano Cerbai /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Macro cetegory - "The Story" 2nd Place - Shot in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Wu Yung-Sen /SWNS.com Wu Yung-Sen /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Marine life category -""Strange Encounters" 4th Place - Shot in Baja California Sur, Mexico. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Hannes Klostermann /SWNS.com Hannes Klostermann /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Marine life category -"Gigantic Aggregation of Munk Devil Rays in Baja California Sur" - Honorable Mention - Shot in Baja California Sur, Mexico. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Jay Clue / SWNS.com Jay Clue /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Novice macro -1st Place - and "Best of Show" runner-up Shot in Victoria, Australia. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Jules Casey / SWNS.com Jules Casey /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Nudibranchs category -"Treats from Mooloolah River" 1st Place - Shot in Queensland, Australia. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Jenny Stock / SWNS.com Jenny Stock /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Novice wide angle category - The Shepherd" 1st Place - Shot in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. George Kuo-Wei Kao/ SWNS.com George Kuo-Wei Kao /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Reefscape cetegory - "Biodiversity" 4th Place - Shot in Simon's Town, South Africa. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Greg Lecoeur / SWNS.com Greg Lecoeur /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Blackwater category - "Blanket Octopus" 2nd Place -Shot in Anilao, Philippines. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Paolo Bausani /SWNS.com Paolo Bausani /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Macro cetegory - ""The Hyponotist" - 3rd Place - Shot in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Dave Johnson /SWNS.com Dave Johnson /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Cold water category -"Welcoming Committee" Honorable Mention - Shot in Chubut Province, Argentina. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Celia Kujala /SWNS.com Celia Kujala /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Compact behaviour category -"Open Mouth Grouper" 1st Place - Shot in Red Sea, Egypt . See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Ferenc Lorincz /SWNS.com Ferenc Lorincz /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Blackwater category -"Lionfish" 3rd Place - Shot in Florida, USA See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Steven Kovacs /SWNS.com Steven Kovacs /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Cold water category - "Icerock" 2nd Place - Iceberg with a diver underneath it with video lights shining on the iceberg, supported by Northern Explorers A/S, Tasiilaq, East Greenland, Atlantic Ocean, Arctic, . See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Tobias Friedrich /SWNS.com Tobias Friedrich /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Blackwater category - "Snaketooth Swallower" 1st Place - Shot in Tahiti Island, French Polynesia. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Fabien Michenet /SWNS.com Fabien Michenet /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Marine life category -"The Choir" - Honorable Mention - Shot in Baja California Sur, Mexico. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Pedro Carillo/ SWNS.com Pedro Carillo /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Macro cetegory - "The Indian" - Honorable Mention - Shot in Anilao, Philippines. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Yat Wai So /SWNS.com Yat Wai So /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Compact macro category -"La Communication Non Verbale" - 4th Place See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Fabien Martinazzo/SWNS.com Fabien Martinazzo /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Compact macro category -"Telle Une Torpille Pelagia Cherche Sa Proie" - 3rd Place - Jellyfish reflection in Cap dÂ´Antibes, France. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Fabien Martinazzo /SWNS.com Fabien Martinazzo /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Blackwater category -"Alciopid Worm" Honorable Mention Place - Shot in Tahiti Island, French Polynesia. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Fabien Michenet /SWNS.com Fabien Michenet /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Blackwater category -"Bride" 5th Place - Shot in Anilao, Philippines. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Tianhong Wang /SWNS.com Tianhong Wang /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Cold water category -"Catch" - 4th Place - Shot in Shetland Islands, Scotland. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Johan Sundelin /SWNS.com Johan Sundelin /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Cold water category and Best of show winner - "Crab-Eater Seal" - 1st Place - Despite the name, Crabeater Seals donâ€™t eat Crabs. Krill make up to 95% of a Crabeater Sealâ€™s diet. Crabeater seals have developed a sieve-shaped tooth structure that ï¬lters krill, much like whale baleen. See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Greg Lecoeur /SWNS.com Greg Lecoeur /SWNS.com Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest Marine life category -A Friendly Ride" 1st place -Shot in Queensland, Australia See SWNS copy SWCAunderwater: This heartbreaking image shows the gaping skull of a dead turtle at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean - tangled in a knot of plastic fishing line. The tragic photo was awarded first place in the 'Conservation' category of the Underwater Photography Guide's Ocean Art Contest 2019. The prestigious nature photography contest showcases some of the most stunning and eye-grabbing moments of life below the surface - as well as the most tragic and unnerving. Paula Vianna /SWNS.com Paula Vianna /SWNS.com

“We don’t want any other turtles, or any creatures, to become doomed to the same unfortunate fate, drowned and wasted thanks to our negligence.”

The photo took top honours in the contest’s conservation category — but it was not the only stunning image capturing the beauty and brutality of life beneath the waves.

Elsewhere in the competition, Paula Vianna, from Portugal, won first place in the marine life behaviour category for her shot of a pink whip stingray riding on the back of a larger ray on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

And French photographer Greg Lecoeur won overall best In show for his cold water shot of a crabeater seal sliding between chunks of ice in the Antarctic Peninsula.