The Sandeel: A Puffins’ lifeline, a photographer’s muse and a looming courtroom battle

I had only encountered this fish through images, paintings, and postcards. Capturing seabirds on camera is always rewarding, but when adorned with sandeels in their beaks, the image transforms into a powerful representation of critical food chains because this fish is vital to marine ecosystems. 

The significance of the sandeel, which is not an eel at all, but a fish with an elongated, eel-like body, extends far beyond its aesthetic appeal in photography. This small fish is at the heart of a heated legal and environmental debate, with a pivotal court ruling expected in April 2025.