DPG is pleased to announce the winners and finalists of the Fourth Annual World Oceans Day Photo Competition, jointly organized by the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, 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: Making a Difference, Underwater Life, Underwater Seascapes, and Youth Photographer. A 2017 World Oceans Day Theme winner was selected by the organizers.

Congratulations to the 2017 World Oceans Day Theme winner, Christian Vizl; to the category winners, Gabriel Barathieu (Above Water Seascapes), Gregory Lecoeur (Making a Difference: Humans in Action), Dan Charity (Underwater Life), Alex Lindbloom (Underwater Seascapes), and Jack McKee (Youth Photographer); and to all the runners-up. The results were announced on World Oceans Day, Thursday, June 8, 2017 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 photo contest partners wish to thank the curator of the contest, underwater photographer Ellen Cuylaerts, as well as the judges: underwater photographer Adriana Basques; scuba instructor and marine conservationist Kudzi Victorino Dykman; ocean protection campaigner Marine Etard, nature and underwater photographer Darren Jew; underwater photographer Jerome Kim; and conservation photojournalist Thomas Peschak. 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.

2017 World Oceans Day Theme Winner

© Christian Vizl (Mexico). 2017 World Oceans Day Theme Winner

Above Water Seascapes

© Gabriel Barathieu (Réunion, France). Above Water Seascapes — Winner

© Frederic Briois (France). Above Water Seascapes — 2nd Place

© Dragos Dumitrescu (Romania). Above Water Seascapes — 3rd Place

Human Interaction: Making a Difference

© Gregory Lecoeur (France). Human Interaction: Making a Difference — Winner

© Troy Mayne (Australia). Human Interaction: Making a Difference — 2nd Place

© Ping Fan (China). Human Interaction: Making a Difference — 3rd Place

Underwater Life

© Dan Charity (UK). Underwater Life — Winner

© Geo Cloete (South Africa). Underwater Life — 2nd Place

© Dragos Dumitrescu (Romania). Underwater Life — 3rd Place

Underwater Seascapes

© Alex Lindbloom (USA). Underwater Seascapes — Winner

© Pietro Cremone (Italy). Underwater Seascapes — 2nd Place

© Gregory Lecoeur (France). Underwater Seascapes — 3rd Place

Youth Photographer

© Jack McKee (Australia). Youth Photographer — Winner

© Charlotte Siembieda (USA). Youth Photographer — 2nd Place

© Nozomi Dane (USA). Youth Photographer — 3rd Place