Clayton Harris. A breaching humpback whale on its migration path along the coastline, New South Wales, Australia. Wildlife category finalist
While rays live alone for most of the year, they gather during breeding or migration into groups known as fevers, which number in the hundreds and sometimes thousands. Mobula rays, like those captured in an aerial view by Laura Leusko off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico, demonstrate a timeless behavior while reminding us that industrial fishing and pollution continue to take a toll on marine wildlife globally.
Ocean Photographer of the Year (previously) highlights what makes our planet’s largest bodies of water so spectacular—and so critically in need of protection. Co-presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain Ocean Commitment, the annual competition invites amateur and professional photographers from around the world to share images showcasing the spectacular wildlife, cultures, scientific inquiry, and conservation efforts in and around our oceans.
This year’s submissions include images of dramatic encounters, maritime history, enduring cultural traditions, the violent and critical effects of human actions, and significant restoration efforts. From Mizael Palomeque Gonzalez’s up-close view of a spotted eagle ray to Celia Kujala’s distressing photo of a polar bear with a piece of plastic in its mouth to Tobias Friedrich’s interaction with a sunken ship, the finalists’ images survey the diversity of our oceans and the urgent need to conserve their fragile ecosystems.
See some of our favorite photos here, and keep an eye out competition’s website and Instagram, where winners will be announced on September 12. An exhibition is also slated open on November 28 at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney before it travels to several more venues.
Andrey Shpatak. A giant Pacific octopus in the shallows, Russia. Wildlife category finalist
Merche Llobera. A hunt for sardines, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Wildlife category finalist
Laura Leusko. A fever of mobula rays from above, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Wildlife category finalist
Celia Kujala. A polar bear plays with a piece of plastic, Kiepert Island, Svalbard, Norway. Conservation (IMPACT) category finalist
Mizael Palomeque Gonzalez. A spotted eagle ray’s natural pattern, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Fine Art category finalist
Merche Llobera. A puffin carries fish to feed its chicks, Saltee Islands, Ireland. Fine Art category finalist
Giacomo d’Orlando. Juvenile common clownfish in a hatchery, Jakarta, Indonesia. Conservation (HOPE) category finalist
Pavlos Evangelidis. Traditional Sri Lankan stilt fishermen at sunset, Koggala, Sri Lanka. Human Connection category finalist
Tobias Friedrich, Bahamas, Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean. Adventure category finalist
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Dive Into Marine Drama Around the World with This Year’s Ocean Photographer of the Year Finalists appeared first on Colossal.
