Winners of the United Nations World Oceans Day 2015 Photo Competition
By Ian Bongso-Seldrup
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. The judges were tasked with selecting 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. 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 photo contest partners wish to thank the 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; and Manu San Felix, Underwater Image Director, Pristine Seas project, National Geographic, Formentera, Spain. 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.
© Cécile Gaspar (French Polynesia). 2015 World Oceans Day Theme Winner
© James Vodicka (Australia). Above Water Seascapes — Winner
© Gregory Lecoeur (France). Above Water Seascapes — 2nd Place
© Bair Mokhosoev (Russian Federation). Above Water Seascapes — 3rd Place
© Ellen Cuylaerts (Belgium). Human Interaction with the Ocean — Winner
© Gregory Lecoeur (France). Human Interaction with the Ocean — 2nd Place
© Gregory Lecoeur (France). Human Interaction with the Ocean — 3rd Place
© Fabrice Guerin (France). Underwater Life — Winner
© Jennifer O’Neil (USA). Underwater Life — 2nd Place
© Doris Vierkoetter (Germany). Underwater Life — 3rd Place
© Ellen Cuylaerts (Belgium). Underwater Seascapes — Winner
© Gregory Lecoeur (France). Underwater Seascapes — 2nd Place
© Ethan Daniels (USA). Underwater Seascapes — 3rd Place
© Jerard Raphaelle Baclay (Philippines). Youth Photographer — Winner
© Jerard Raphaelle Baclay (Philippines). Youth Photographer — 2nd Place
© Jaime Rae (Canada). Youth Photographer — 3rd Place