A striking image of an endangered turtle among glass fish, taken on the spur of the moment, has won this year’s Ocean Photographer of the year award.

Aimee Jan, a tour guide and photographer based in Western Australia, took the picture at a moment’s notice when she was told a turtle could be hiding down below at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ningaloo Marine Park.

Ms Jan told Sky News seeing the “amazing and magic things” that live in our oceans was a “huge reminder that we all must do everything we can to protect it”.

Other finalists captured an array of ocean life, scenery and conservation issues, from haunting underwater imagery in Mexico to the shocking impact of plastic on a lifeless sea bird in the Shetlands.

The organisers said the awards aim to “highlight environmental threats faced by the world’s oceans as well as showcasing their beauty”.

The photos are on display in a free outdoor public exhibition alongside the River Thames from 17 September – 17 October on the Queen’s Walk, near Tower Bridge, central London.

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