US environmental group Ocean Conservancy has announced the results of their 2022 photo competition, and we are thrilled to share their winners with you. These images showcase the beauty of our oceans, but remind us of the threats that they face from pollution and climate change.
The winner was a dramatic yet playful shot of a sea lion bursting through a group of sardines off the coast of Mexico. The winning photographer, Alexandra Rose, spent a long time under the water trying to get the shot she wanted. “I finally timed it correctly and positioned myself right in the thick of the fish and waited for her to pop through. I think she was a bit surprised to see me!”
Winners were also selected from four categories: Human Impact, Marine Wildlife, Ocean Stories, and Spectacular Seascapes.
Surprise – Judge’s choice winner
A female sea lion ( Zalophus californianus) disrupts a school of sardines at Los Islotes, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Photo by Alexandra Rose/Ocean Conservancy
Sea otter with discarded can – Honourable mention
A sea otter ( Enhydra lutris) plays with a tin can. Photo by Shane Keena/Ocean Conservancy
The end of the world – Spectacular seascapes category winner
A beautiful sunset over a lake at Montauk in Long Island, New York, USA. Photo by Kate McFadden/Ocean Conservancy
Fly ardea alba – Ocean stories category winner
A white heron (Ardea alba) takes flight over Hollywood beach in Cartagena, Columbia, in order to join the other birds circling fishermen, hoping to be thrown small fish or leftovers. Photo by Diana De La Vega/Ocean Conservancy
Rasta jelly – Marine wildlife winner
A jellyfish, known locally as a ‘Rasta jellyfish ( Thysanostoma loriferum), is photographed near Ningaloo Reef, Perth, Australia, surrounded by lots of different species of fish. Photo by Prue Wheeler/Ocean Conservancy
More images on Science Focus:
The hunter’s trash – Human impact winner
A seal plays with a piece of plastic in its mouth, at Champion Islet, Galapagos Archipelago. Photo by Angela Farmer/Ocean Conservancy
Gag or throttle – Honourable mention
A young gull holding a piece of plastic that resembles a sardine. Photo by Carmen Cromer/Ocean Conservancy
Schooling jacks and turtle – Honourable mention
A green sea turtle ( Chelonia mydas) an endangered species, is framed by a circling school of bigeye jacks ( Caranx sexfasciatus) off the island of Bali, Indonesia. Photo by David Fleetham/Ocean Conservancy
Wisdom – Honourable mention
A female loggerhead turtle ( Caretta caretta) looking directly at the camera as she nestles in a comfy resting spot under the water. Photo by Ronald Missick/Ocean Conservancy
Larval pearl fish – Honourable mention
A beautiful larval pearl fish photographed during a blackwater dive off the East coast of Florida, USA. Photo by Rajiv Bhambri/Ocean Conservancy
