Diving in Fiji: Ocean In Focus Contest Winners Announcement

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Click on the info icon at the top left of each photo to learn details.

Congratulations to Terry Goss of San Francisco, California, the Grand-Prize winner of the Ocean in Focus Conservation Photo Contest for his image of a blue shark taken off the coast of Rhode Island with a rusted hook protruding from its lower jaw. The shark in this image was caught by a longline fishing vessel, a method of fishing that historically resulted in bycatch of non-target species such as sharks, turtles and seabirds. While the introduction in recent years of circle hooks has reduced bycatch, particularly of turtles, there is more work to be done. Read the interview with Terry Goss>>

For submitting the photograph depicting his personal encounter with one of nature’s most beautiful, but threatened, predators, SeaWeb and Lindblad Expeditions are sending Goss and a friend on a 10-day adventure aboard the National Geographic Endeavor to the Galapagos Islands! Lindblad Expeditions voyages the world in alliance with the National Geographic Society to inspire people to explore and care about the planet.

First Prize goes to Peri Paleracio of Quezon City, the Philippines, for his picture of a boat in the Philippines with plastic and trash pollution suspended in the water. This over-under shot illustrates the often-unseen view of the impact of littering on the ocean. Paleracio will celebrate his win in Fiji with a dive vacation from Matava, Fiji’s Premier Eco-Adventure resort.

George Stoyle and Frank Baensch have both been awarded honorable mentions for their photographs. Stoyle submitted a powerful image of frozen tuna being transferred from a fishing vessel to a carrier vessel. Baensch's image shows the danger posed by abandoned gill nets to coral reef ecosystems and how the nets continue to fish long after the fishermen have left the location. Green Fins Association, Thailand, won the honorable mention prize for the "Most Hopeful" photograph, which demonstrates the infectious power of community-based beach cleanups and how local children can play a role in environmental stewardship.

The Marine Photobank would like to thank the prize donors and supporters, and all the contest participants for submitting compelling photos illustrating human impacts on marine ecosystems, and ones that inspire hope for ocean health. We hope that both of the top prize winners will keep up with the Marine Photobank and tell us all about their travels through photos and stories.

Learn About the Incredible Prizes
Read the Interview with Grand Prize Winner, Terry Goss
View Contest Submissions Gallery
For More Information About the Contest

Thank You to Our Prize Donors! Please learn more about these amazing and generous companies by clicking on the logos and links below.