CORALS, kelp, corkwing wrasse and a kaleidoscope of underwater creatures are calling for their close-up.

Entrants to the annual British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP) print competition need to focus as the competition closes on Monday 22 February. The Wildlife Trusts will judge entries in the British and Irish category which has a ‘Living Seas’ theme.

Previous entries have yielded fascinating insights into the UK’s marine environment, and The Wildlife Trusts hope 2010 will be no exception. The competition is run by BSoUP in association with Diver Magazine. Shortlisted images will showcase at the London International Dive Show on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 March. The best ‘Living Seas’ image will earn its photographer a year’s free membership to The Wildlife Trusts and a trophy.

In November 2009, The Wildlife Trusts celebrated the passing of the Marine and Coastal Access Act (MCAA) and, in January 2010, launched their vision of Living Seas, which aims to maximise the opportunities the Act opened up for protecting the UK’s unique and astounding marine environment.

“The passing of the Marine and Coastal Access Act was a crucial moment, and one that could mark a turning point in the fate ofthe UK’s seas,” says Lisa Chilton, Living Seas manager for The Wildlife Trusts. “Our Living Seas vision sets out how we can make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore our seas to good health. Public support will be essential, and that’s why we need striking and thought-provoking images of marine life. The BSoUP competition is a great way for us to find images that stir people’s imaginations and inspire them to voice their support for Living Seas.

“The Wildlife Trusts want to show people what is at risk if we don’t seize this moment. The images entered into our Living Seas category will do exactly that.

"Last year’s entries included a huge variety of species and undersea landscapes, from colourful corals to forests of sea kelp, from a squat lobster to a paternal corkwing wrasse tenderly building a nest for its eggs. We are sure this year will bring similarly fresh and fantastic images into the limelight.”