Images of a handful of shotgun cartridges and colourful fan worms won two underwater photographers top prizes in a competition held by Din l-Art Ħelwa with the marine environment as it theme.

A photograph titled Gunpowder Shells At 5m Depth At Reqqa Point, by Sonia Silvio, was placed first in the marine pollution category. The winner in the beauty of marine life category was Matthew Farrugia for his Fan Worms On The Um El Faroud.

DLĦ executive president Simone Mizzi said the competition attracted 23 entries, most of them displaying technical ability, originality and a kaleidoscope of colours.

This was the fifth time DLĦ organised a photographic competition on the marine environment with the aim of raising awareness on the importance and state of the coastline and surrounding waters of the Maltese islands.