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A feminine Yellow Pigmy Gobi releases newly-hatched larvae into the water from her mouth; Japan
Takumi Oyama – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
A marine iguana ‘mid-sneeze’, a troupe of skeleton shrimps that has colonized a gorgonian coral and a spaceship-like jellyfish seemingly departing Earth’s ambiance are among the many great finalists for the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025.
The dramatic, bizarre, humorous undersea encounters gracing this picture competitors have fun our ocean’s wonders, the human reference to the ocean and its creatures and spotlight the pressing want to guard it.
That similar human connection is challenged by photos displaying our affect on the ocean, together with local weather change-induced coral bleaching, the consequences of plastic air pollution on marine mammals and the killing of pilot whales within the Faroe Islands, in a hunt referred to as the grindadráp.
“In the midst of a deepening climate and biodiversity crisis on our blue planet, ocean photography has never been more important,” said Ocean Photographer of the Year Director Will Harrison. “These images are far more than just beautiful. They are powerful visual testaments to what we stand to lose, and they remind us of the urgent need for protection. The Ocean Photographer of the Year, presented by the Oceanographic Magazine and (watch company) Blancpain, continues to be a vital platform for sharing critical stories from above and below the waterline.”
All class winners, together with the general Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025, might be introduced in September.
The sneeze of the iguana; Galapagos islands
Arturo de Frias – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“Marine iguanas, endemic to the Galapagos, are one of the most iconic species in the archipelago,” says photographer Arturo de Frias. “They are like miniature dragons, especially in low angle eye-to-eye portraits like this one. This individual was resting on the black rocks of Santa Cruz Island, sunbathing after a foraging dive. By sheer luck, I photographed the split-second in which it was sneezing the excess salt it had absorbed during its dive.”
Brooding season for a male jap gobbleguts
Daniel Sly – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“Each summer, male eastern gobbleguts carry their eggs in their mouths throughout the brooding season,” says Daniel Sly. “Typically active at night, they remain shy and quick to hide, darting into crevices or kelp at the first sign of disturbance. This portrait was captured during a night dive beneath a busy fishing and ferry wharf in Sydney Harbour. After a long, patient wait, the gobbleguts finally emerged from the shadows.”
A one-year-old Bigg’s orca close to Bird Rocks, Washington, U.S., proudly shows its catch.
Yifan Ling – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“This photo, taken on July 13, 2024, captures one-year-old Bigg’s orca — known as ‘Rook’ — near Bird Rocks, Washington (state),” Yifan Ling defined. “Against the glowing sundown, Rook proudly shows a harbour seal he discovered whereas his household patrolled close by and later helped him seize.
“At this age, orcas typically rely on milk and rarely hunt alone, making this moment especially impressive. His emerging skill highlights the ecological richness of the Salish Sea, where both harbour seal and Bigg’s orca populations have rebounded thanks to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, a testament to the impact of long-term conservation efforts.”
A pygmy seahorse, arduous to see within the wild on account of its unbelievable camouflage; Florida
Richard Smith – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“Although their conservation status is ‘Least Concern’, few people see these Pigmy seahorses in the wild due to their incredible camouflage,” says Richard Smith. “Endemic to Florida and Gulf of Mexico waters, these tiny seahorses require a keen eye to locate. I found a pair thriving in one-to-two feet of water. This female was accompanied by her pregnant male partner, but only her colour matched the emerald green Halimeda algae she was clinging to.”
Skeleton shrimp colonisers; Indonesia
Alexis Chappuis – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
Thousands of Skeleton shrimps have completely colonized a gorgonian coral in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. “These crustaceans are actually not true shrimps but amphipods of the Genus Caprella,” Alexis Chappuis explains. “As these animals feed on plankton, they should not impact their host. However, in this case, there were so many of them that they may be the reason why the Gorgonian’s polyps were all retracted. Could this impact the feeding efficiency of their soft coral host?”
An opportunistic pelican; U.S.
Kat Zhou – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
An opportunistic pelican swoops in to steal a fish from strand-feeding dolphins. “When dolphins strand-feed, they corral baitballs of fish and rush them onto the shore,” Kat Zhou explains. “Pelicans usually lurk nearby, hoping to take advantage of an easy meal. Following the pelicans is usually a good indicator of where along the beach the dolphins might strand next. Though there are around 350 dolphins that call South Carolina home, this rare strand feeding behaviour is only performed by a few members of one pod.”
Jellyfish or Space Rocket? Spain
Antonio Bertran Regas – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“I’ve always been fascinated by the resemblance between jellyfish and space rockets,” says Antonio Bertran Regàs. “I was looking for a photograph that conveyed that connection. I took the photo just as the sun was rising. I don’t think I’ll ever be as close to space as I was that day.”
A tiny juvenile sweet crab perched on her pink coral mattress; Philippines
Jade Hoksbergen – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“A tiny juvenile candy crab, measuring a mere centimetre in size, perched on her pink coral mattress, which is also her favourite source of nutrition,” Jade Hoksbergen says. “This dinky but stunning crustacean evades predators and spectators alike not only due to its miniature stature, but its camouflage. The candy crab is a true hidden gem beneath the waves of the Tañon Strait in the Philippines, where this image was taken.”
A uncommon Martinique octopus at risk of extinction on account of human overconsumption
Théo Maynier – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“In Martinique, the octopus, known locally as ‘chatroux’, is becoming increasingly rare due to human overconsumption,” says Théo Maynier. “Marine reserves have been created to offer a refuge for all species, including the octopus, in order to protect them from overfishing and to preserve biodiversity. In this context, this encounter with an octopus and its eggs, observed in the Kay Pothuau marine reserve, clearly stands as a true sign of hope for conservation.”
A vibrant coral vigorous; Indonesia
Kim Hyeon Min – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“In sunlit water, countless juvenile fish swirled around this dome-shaped coral, creating a mesmerising scene,” says Kim Hyeon Min. “The vibrant coral, untouched by bleaching, was teeming with encrusting organisms, forming a complex and harmonious ecosystem that felt like a miniature planet. In a time when marine ecosystems are rapidly disappearing, this image is a reminder of what we still have — and a hopeful glimpse of what we must protect for the future.”
A Blue Devil damselfish, passing by devastated bleached coral; Papua New Guinea
Richard Smith – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“After 25 years, I returned to Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, remembering its incredible corals and biodiversity,” says Richard Smith. “Tragically, our first dive revealed the worst coral bleaching I’d ever witnessed. Creating compelling imagery that illustrates bleaching’s impact while remaining visually engaging proves challenging. I discovered this endemic Melanesian Blue Devil damselfish, found only in Papua New Guinea, living around a small branching coral colony that had bleached. We rarely consider how bleaching devastates species like these, which depend entirely on healthy coral habitats. This image captures their story – beautiful fish persisting amid environmental catastrophe, representing countless species facing similar threats worldwide.”
My bottle cap; Philippines
Giancarlo Mazarese – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“In the darkness of the open ocean at night, a tiny paper nautilus clings to a plastic bottle cap,” Giancarlo Mazarese explains. “In the wild, females of this species seek out floating organisms like jellyfish to hitch a ride and navigate the water column. But here, instead of a living creature, she finds only what humanity has discarded. This image, taken in Anilao, Philippines, reflects the silent impact of pollution and the resilience of marine life.”
Orcas leaping by the seaside; U.S.
Yifan Ling – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“This photo was taken on April 1, 2024, off Point No Point in Washington’s Puget Sound,” remembers Yifan Ling. “There’s a neighborhood of people that choose watching orcas from the land quite than from boats.
“Land-based whale watchers in Puget Sound can generally get fortunate, as these wild apex predators often strategy the shore, seemingly inquisitive about their human spectators. That day was no unusual day as greater than 20 Bigg’s orcas had been touring into Puget Sound, and because the orca pods handed by one after one other, a male referred to as Barakat determined to do some “people watching” of his personal.
“He repeatedly breached near the shore, and this was one of his most spectacular jumps. This photo highlights how close humans and orcas can come to one another in these wild waters. These orcas aren’t afraid of us; in fact, they sometimes seem intrigued. And that’s just one more reason why we need to protect these incredible creatures.”
Extensive shoreline of thriving aquaculture; China
Shi Xiaowen – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“Xiapu boasts an extensive coastline where local aquaculture thrives,” says Shi Xiaowen. “This photo captures the laver farming scene in Xiapu’s coastal waters. Shot on an overcast day, the rhythmic patterns formed by laver cultivation poles intertwine with fishermen labouring at work.”
Floating fish market; Vietnam
Natnattcha Chaturapitamorn – Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
“Each morning before sunrise at Tam Tien beach, the shoreline comes alive with a flurry of activity,” says Natnattcha Chaturapitamorn. “Clusters of picket fishing boats anchor offshore, forming a floating fleet. From there, groups of fishermen in spherical basket boats skillfully navigate by the waves, ferrying barrels of freshly caught seafood to the shore.
“On the beach, families of fishermen and wholesale traders wait eagerly, ready to sort and purchase the catch. The seafood is quickly loaded into baskets and rushed off to markets throughout the province. This daily ritual reflects the deep connection between the sea and coastal livelihoods.”
All the winners and finalist images from earlier years and this 12 months’s finalists of the Ocean Photographer Of The Year might be seen here.
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https://www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2025/08/24/beautiful-wild-sea-life-15-finalists-for-ocean-photographer-of-the-year/
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This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you'll…