Preface by Phil Hargrave-Smith, monthly texts by Marelux photographers (as indicated)
 

The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) is Australia’s leading voice for ocean protection—and has been for 60 years. As one of the founding pillars of the nation’s conservation movement, AMCS is an independent charity powered by a dedicated team of marine scientists, educators, and advocates, working hand-in-hand with thousands of passionate Australians to safeguard our oceans since 1965.

From defending the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo to leading the charge to ban whaling, halt super trawlers, and protect endangered species like the Australian sea lion, AMCS has been at the forefront of every major ocean victory in the country. And yet, some of our most powerful advocacy doesn’t begin in parliament or policy—it begins beneath the surface.
 

Pristine reef in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia, photographed by Bulent Selli, an award-winning underwater photographer and PADI Digital Underwater Photography Instructor based in Turkey. Part of the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is home to 75% of all known coral species, over 1,500 species of fish, and rare marine creatures like mantas, wobbegongs, dugongs, and pygmy seahorses
 

Underwater photography has long proved to be one of the most vital tools in AMCS’s mission to protect the sea. These images do more than capture beauty—they reveal the fragility of our marine world, tell the stories of what’s at stake, and ignite action in the hearts of people everywhere. Through the lens of gifted underwater photographers, the hidden world below the waves is brought vividly to life, turning awe into activism.

This power was on full display in the AMCS “Amazing Oceans” 2025 calendar, featuring extraordinary photography from the Marelux community. These stunning images didn’t just break sales records—they sparked deeper public engagement, directly funded marine conservation efforts, and forged lasting bonds with a growing network of visual storytellers dedicated to ocean protection.

In a time when the ocean’s future hangs in the balance, these photographs are more than art—they are a call to action, a window into a world worth fighting for, and a reminder of what we stand to lose if we don’t act now.

Phil Hargrave-Smith is the Philanthropy Development Manager of AMCS

JANUARY

Australian sea lion, Port Lincoln, South Australia
 

One of the most endangered species of pinnipeds in the world, Australian sea lions are found in remote locations around the southern and western parts of Australia. The country’s far-flung islands are a perfect haven for these threatened creatures. Vulnerable to predators, they haul out in colonies along the southern and western coastlines. With a 17-month breeding cycle, these pinnipeds are under threat and are declining rapidly.

While photographing these curious sea lions, I noticed one sitting on the sandy bottom and blowing bubbles, I tried to rest on the bottom as well to get a more engaging shot and have a mutual interaction. Observing the behavior was key to taking a shot like this. Indeed, the more you know about your subject, the better your chances are of achieving something unique.

Scott Portelli is an international award-winning wildlife, nature, aerial and underwater photographer

FEBRUARY

Humpback mother and calf, Tonga
 

Humpback whales travel thousands of miles from their Antarctic feeding grounds to the sheltered waters of Tonga so that they can give birth and nurse their calves. There is typically no food in these breeding grounds for her, yet a humpback mom will stay there for several months caring for her baby. Together, migration and nursing take their toll, and a mother can lose up to a third of her body weight during that time.

Swimming with the whales is possible, but only under strict regulations. To avoid stressing mothers and calves, or changing their behavior, it is important to approach slowly and respectfully. Being patient and respectful also helps to have longer encounters. That day, we came across a beautiful mom and her baby, and after a slow approach, they stayed with us for about an hour. The calf was full of life and kept rolling around while the mom rested, evidently comfortable enough in our presence to fall asleep.

Vanessa Mignon is an award-winning photographer, photojournalist, and ambassador for the Australian Marine Conservation Society

MARCH

Peacock mantis shrimp, Cap La Houssaye, Réunion (France)
 

Found in the Indo-Pacific at depths of between 10 and 130 feet, the peacock mantis shrimp digs—and vigorously defends—a U-shaped burrow, acting as a benthic “engineer” by reworking sediments and coral debris. Solitary and diurnal, it locates its prey thanks to extremely acute vision, then uses its “club” to crush shells and carapaces, thereby helping to regulate invertebrate populations and maintain the diversity and dynamics of reef ecosystems.

Likely intrigued by my movements near its refuge, this individual approached me and seemed to invite me to capture its portrait. I used a 90mm macro lens at f/22 and two Marelux Apollo strobes to reveal the extraordinary colors of its carapace.

Sylvain Corbel is a marine biologist and photographer based in the French overseas territory of Réunion

APRIL

Clownfish nestled in a bleached anemone, Anilao, Philippines
 

At first glance, this image appears vibrant and beautiful, but in reality, it reveals the silent but urgent crisis facing our marine ecosystems. Prolonged high sea temperatures have stressed this anemone, causing it to begin losing its symbiotic algae, and in turn the vivid colors of the pigment in the algal cells. The resulting stark white appearance is a phenomenon known as coral bleaching. The intention of this image is to highlight the delicate balance in which corals exist, encouraging the viewer to reflect on what is being lost as our oceans warm.

A few months after taking this photo, I returned to the same dive site. To my great relief, I found that the anemones had regained their original color and the reef life was thriving. It was a hopeful reminder that ecosystems can recover—if we give them a chance.

Jerome Kim is a photographer and architect with over 25 years of experience in Southeast Asia

MAY

Hawksbill turtle, Bunaken National Park, Indonesia
 

Diving with sea turtles is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re going to get. They have individual personalities, and every once in a while, you get lucky with a really friendly or curious turtle like this one. I stopped about five feet away to try to get a picture of her with a fisheye lens, in the context of the beautiful Indonesian coral reef she was resting in, only to have her swim right up to the camera and take this selfie. Given that hawksbills are a critically endangered species due to our collective actions, it’s amazing we can still find such friendly individuals. The ocean never ceases to amaze!

Shane Gross is a Canadian conservation photojournalist known for his work in marine life photography and promoting ocean and freshwater conservation

JUNE

Spinner dolphins, Réunion (France)
 

I captured this group of spinner dolphins during a reproductive phase a few miles off Saint-Gilles, on the west coast of the island. When photographing these amazing mammals, it is essential to remain as silent as possible in order to minimize one’s impact during the approach. By refraining from interacting with them, you avoid disturbing their natural behavior.

By the same token, it’s vital that boat captains follow specific rules when operating around these animals. Sadly, many operators have prioritized profit over the dolphins, with frequent abuses of the rules reported in recent years. Fortunately, as a result, whale watching in the territory is now strictly regulated—finally affording these graceful cetaceans the respect and protection they deserve.

Sylvain Corbel is a marine biologist and photographer based in the French overseas territory of Réunion

JULY

Silvertip shark, Father’s Reefs, Papua New Guinea
 

This was the first silvertip shark I’d ever seen. We were on a nice reef with a solid current in the Father’s Reefs system, and as soon as I descended onto the reef, I spotted this guy in the distance. I held still and tried to act like part of the reef, but he didn’t buy it and smoothly glided directly to me, circling a few times before vanishing. I was so excited to check the back of my camera and see that I had a decent exposure, as I had no time to make adjustments. Man, I love sharks!

Shane Gross is a Canadian conservation photojournalist known for his work in marine life photography and promoting ocean and freshwater conservation

AUGUST

Port Jackson shark, Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia
 

One of truly special things about Australia’s marine life is just how accessible it is. A case in point is this Port Jackson shark, photographed a short 50-meter (165-feet) swim from my local beach. Port Jackson sharks congregate in several areas along the east coast during spring and winter in order to breed, and where I live in the Jervis Bay area, they use the rocks and crevices to anchor their eggs. If an egg survives, a young shark will emerge after 10 to 12 months.

There is a fair bit of kelp around the rocks, so I tried a few times to go snorkeling at lower tide so that I could photograph the sharks swimming above the kelp bathed in sunlight. On a nice, sunny day with little swell, I was able to go at mid-tide, and I saw a few sharks, but most of them were quite deep or resting on the sand or under rocks. The water was very cold and after 45 minutes, I started shivering. But I persisted. Eventually, this individual swam slowly over the kelp, possibly looking for a mate, a place to lay eggs, or somewhere to rest. These sharks are placid, and if you approach slowly, they usually let you get close enough to capture them with a fisheye lens.

Vanessa Mignon is an award-winning photographer, photojournalist, and ambassador for the Australian Marine Conservation Society

SEPTEMBER

Leafy seadragon, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
 

In the temperate waters of the southern parts of Australia, a truly unique wonder lies hidden, camouflaged by nature, an evolutionary chameleon of the ocean. Leafy seadragons inhabit shallow reefs and seagrass meadows from South Australia to Western Australia. They often reside around long jetties teeming with marine life. As with much of our marine life, they are under threat from habitat loss, the impact of climate change warming our oceans, and increased pollutants from human activities. This is significant for these endemic seadragons, as their environment is their means of survival: They have been successful as a species—up until now—because of their ability to blend into seaweed, kelp forests and seagrass beds, and move with the surging ocean in areas of abundant food sources.

With many underwater species, a gentle approach is the best way to capture natural behavior. I like to let animals get used to my presence and not see me as a predator, before I take a shot. This was a particularly special encounter for me, as I had never seen a leafy seadragon with eggs before. It truly was a privilege to experience this rare opportunity.

Scott Portelli is an international award-winning wildlife, nature, aerial and underwater photographer

OCTOBER

Whale shark, Philippines
 

The majestic whale shark can be encountered in many places around the world, including Australia. Despite it being the largest fish in the ocean, I know of people who have completely missed one as it swam over them during a dive. (Note to self: If it suddenly gets darker, it might not be a cloud!) I am so captivated each time I encounter one, and so aware that I’m lucky to see one, that I don’t pay much attention to the camera. I just prefer to enjoy the moment!

While every encounter with a whale shark leaves me awestruck, it also leaves me feeling disillusioned. These gentle giants are currently listed as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and their populations are decreasing. The threats they face include vessel strikes, habitat degradation, and fishing, both as bycatch and targeted—being so large, their fins are valuable. If such a magical animal faces so many threats, with no concerted global efforts being made to protect them, what hope is there for all the other smaller, lesser-known, or less-charismatic species?

Vanessa Mignon is an award-winning photographer, photojournalist, and ambassador for the Australian Marine Conservation Society

NOVEMBER

Manta ray, Tonga
 

Swimming with manta rays is one of my all-time favorite experiences. With their majestic wings and graceful movements, they are absolutely mesmerizing to watch. These gentle creatures are also smart: They have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any fish and are known to possess complex cognitive abilities, including self-awareness. Sadly, manta rays are targeted in both industrial and artisanal fisheries, and are also caught incidentally. Reef mantas are listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, while the oceanic manta is listed as “Endangered.” It’s heartbreaking to think about the plight of these iconic animals.

While I’ve been fortunate to observe mantas in a few places, including Ningaloo Reef and Lady Elliot on Australia’s east coast, this picture was taken in Tonga. We encountered a small group of manta rays on a reef and watched as they hypnotically circled around, feeding right underneath the surface. There was a fair bit of current, so it took a while to get close enough to one to get this shot.

Vanessa Mignon is an award-winning photographer, photojournalist, and ambassador for the Australian Marine Conservation Society

DECEMBER

Ercolania endophytophaga, Bali, Indonesia
 

This tiny sap-sucking sea slug was captured at the famous Batu Ringgit dive site, located between Tulamben and Amed. My eagle-eyed spotter Wayan Jhon—an expert at finding small, rare nudibranchs and sea slugs—discovered this amazing Ercolania on the reef with its fascinating digestive gland visible through the body wall and extending into the cerata and rhinophores. These minute creatures, just a few millimetres long, are the fragile jewels of the ocean and must be protected at all costs if we do not want to leave a bland, empty reef for future generations.

Olivier Martinez, aka Martinoo, is a macro addict, light sculptor, and nudibranch whisperer
 

To know more about the work of the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and to find out how you can help, head over to www.marineconservation.org.au.