News

Overall 2016 World Oceans Day Theme – Winner
Beth Watson (United States)
 

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

As in previous years, the judges selected the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place images from hundreds of entries in five categories: Above Water Seascapes, Making a Difference: Humans in Action, Underwater Life, Underwater Seascapes, and Youth Photographer. A 2016 World Oceans Day Theme winner was selected by the organizers.

Congratulations to the 2016 World Oceans Day Theme winner, Beth Watson; to the category winners, Mathieu Foulquié (Above Water Seascapes), Michele Hall (Making a Difference: Humans in Action), Gregory Lecoeur (Underwater Life), Alex Lindbloom (Underwater Seascapes), and Marlyss Brightwell (Youth Photographer); and to all the runners-up.

The results were announced on World Oceans Day, Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at a reception at United Nations Headquarters in New York attended by several hundred delegates. The finalists and winners were announced by well-known underwater photographer Ellen Cuylaerts (Belgium) 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 2016 judges:

• Dr. Rodolfo Werner Kinkelin, Advisor to the Antarctic Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) and the Pew Charitable Trusts (Argentina)
• Shawn Heinrichs, Founder of Blue Sphere Media, Associate Director of the Manta Trust (Colorado, USA)
• Kristal Ambrose, Founder of the Bahamas Plastic Movement (Bahamas)
• Nainoa Thompson, President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society (Hawaii, USA)
• Jayne Jenkins, Ambassador for Olympus Digital Cameras, Vice President for the Australasian Our World Underwater Scholarship Society (Australia)
• World Oceans Day Youth Advisory Council: Caitlin Philipps (Australia), Gabriella Schauber (Canada), Brandon Koots (Curacao), Sang-Jin Kim (Germany), Nehara Pandey (India), Melati Wijsen (Indonesia), Mohammed Wahabi (Morocco), Oghenechovwen C. Oghenekevwe (Nigeria), Eugenia Barroca (Portugal), Latisha Parkinson (Trinidad and Tobago), Baylee Ritter (USA)
   

Above Water Seascapes – Winner: Mathieu Foulquié (France)
 

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

Above Water Seascapes – 3rd Place: Edwar Herreño (Colombia)
 

Making a Difference: Humans in Action – Winner: Michele Hall (USA)
 

Making a Difference: Humans in Action – 2nd Place: Tommi Kokkola (Finland)
 

Making a Difference: Humans in Action – 3rd Place: Edwar Herreño (Colombia)
 

Underwater Life – Winner: Gregory Lecoeur (France)
 

Underwater Life – 2nd Place: Vania Kam (Hong Kong)
 

Underwater Life – 3rd Place: Brandi Mueller (USA)
 

Underwater Seascapes – Winner: Alex Lindbloom (USA)
 

Underwater Seascapes – 2nd Place: Anders Nyberg (Sweden)
 

Underwater Seascapes – 3rd Place: Gregory Lecoeur (France)
 

Youth Photographer – Winner: Marlyss Brightwell (United States)
 

Youth Photographer – 2nd Place: Indigo Bolandrini (Egypt)
 

Youth Photographer – 3rd Place: Zara Edmond (Australia)