News

Overall 2015 World Oceans Day Theme – Winner
Cécile Gaspar (French Polynesia)
 

DPG is pleased to announce the winners and finalists of the Second Annual World Oceans Day Photo Competition, jointly organized by the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, WorldOceansDay.org, World Ocean Network, World Festival of Underwater Images, IAEA Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre, and DPG.

As with the First World Oceans Day Photo Competition, the judges selected the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place images from hundreds of entries in five categories: Above Water Seascapes, Human interaction with the Ocean: Taking Action on Climate Change and Ocean Acidification, Underwater Life, Underwater Seascapes, and Youth Photographer. A 2015 World Oceans Day Theme winner was selected by the organizers.

Congratulations to the 2015 World Oceans Day Theme winner, Cécile Gaspar; to the category winners, James Vodicka (Above Water Seascapes), Ellen Cuylaerts (Human interaction with the Ocean: Taking Action on Climate Change and Ocean Acidification, Underwater Seascapes), Fabrice Guerin (Underwater Life), and Jerard Raphaelle Baclay* (Youth Photographer); and to all the runners-up. (*Note: The previously announced winners of the Youth category, Joseph Lepore and Humam Fauzi, have been disqualified, as it emerged that their entries contravened the competition rules.)

The results were announced on World Oceans Day, Monday, June 8, 2015 at a reception at United Nations Headquarters in New York attended by several hundred delegates. The keynote speaker was the Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Mr. Stephen Mathias. The finalists and winners were announced by the Director of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Ms. Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli, and their photos were projected in large format.

The finalists’ photographs will feature in physical exhibits around the world, accompanied by a narrative that underlines the importance of the oceans for humanity. This is in an effort to ensure that the plight of the oceans and its inhabitants remains top of the agenda throughout the year, not just on World Oceans Day itself.

The organizers congratulate all of the winners again and thank everyone who participated in the competition. Thank you for sharing your work, and helping us convey the beauty and value of the oceans.

The photo contest partners wish to thank the 2015 judges:

• Göran Ehlmé, Head Designer, Waterproof Diving Int. AB, Gothenburg, Sweden
• Suzanne Gendron, Executive Director of Zoological Operations & Education, Ocean Park, and Foundation Director, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong, China
• Judy Mann, Conservation Strategist,  South African Association for Marine Biological Research, Durban, South Africa
• Kathy Moran, Senior Editor, Natural History, National Geographic, Washington, D.C., USA
• Manu San Felix, Underwater Image Director, Pristine Seas project, National Geographic, Formentera, Spain
   

Above Water Seascapes – Winner: James Vodicka (Australia)
 

Above Water Seascapes – 2nd Place: Gregory Lecoeur (France)
 

Above Water Seascapes – 3rd Place: Bair Mokhosoev (Russian Federation)
 

Human Interaction with the Ocean – Winner: Ellen Cuylaerts (Belgium)
 

Human Interaction with the Ocean – 2nd Place: Gregory Lecoeur (France)
 

Human Interaction with the Ocean – 3rd Place: Gregory Lecoeur (France)
 

Underwater Life – Winner: Fabrice Guerin (France)
 

Underwater Life – 2nd Place: Jennifer O’Neil (USA)
 

Underwater Life – 3rd Place: Doris Vierkoetter (Germany)
 

Underwater Seascapes – Winner: Ellen Cuylaerts (Belgium)
 

Underwater Seascapes – 2nd Place: Gregory Lecoeur (France)
 

Underwater Seascapes – 3rd Place: Ethan Daniels (USA)
 

Youth Photographer – Winner: Jerard Raphaelle Baclay (Philippines)
 

Youth Photographer – 2nd Place: Jerard Raphaelle Baclay (Philippines)
 

Youth Photographer – 3rd Place: Jaime Rae (Canada)