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Southern elephant seal pups explore shallow rock pools on Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands, showcasing their first water movements as part of the ocean photography awards.

Thriving Marine Life Captured Amid Changing Seas in Ocean Photography Awards 2026

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Written by John Oliver

2026-09-10

Exploring the impact of oceanic transformations

As Southern California faced intense swells empowered by king tides over the past several days, residents felt the tangible impacts of human-driven climate change. The forces of erosion, natural along coastlines, were accelerated, causing beaches to virtually disappear in days. Over decades, infrastructure and residential developments have reshaped these areas, necessitating constant sand replenishment. These awards and related events have been instrumental in raising awareness about these challenges.

This scenario is a testament to our warming and rising oceans asserting their dominance over low-lying areas. Highlighting these critical issues, the Oceanographic magazine and Blancpain‘s annual Ocean Photographer of the Year competition, part of the larger initiative, showcases nature’s beauty and power through compelling imagery of our oceanic world.

Delve deeper into the oceanic wonders as the Ocean Census reveals over 1,000 new species, expanding our understanding of marine biodiversity.

Celebrating the Awards and Oceanic Beauty

This year’s esteemed contest, a highlight of the event, honored photographer Julien Anton with the top prize for his astonishing black-and-white portrait of a seahorse, flanked by two tiny juveniles. Additionally, the Female Fifty Fathoms Award was presented to British photographer Jenny Stock, recognizing her exceptional contributions to ocean photography and boundary-pushing work.

Explore a curated selection of this year’s stunning entries below, capturing the incredible diversity and resilience of marine life as celebrated by the competition.

Thousands of brittle stars cover the seabed during a dusk dive in a Scottish sea loch.
Jenny Stock, winner of the Female Fifty Fathoms Award. During a dusk dive in a Scottish sea loch, a torch reveals thousands of brittle stars covering the seabed
Dolphins ride waves with surfers at Tamarama Beach, Sydney, during a powerful swell.
Gergo Rugli, winner of the Adventure category. Dolphins ride the waves alongside surfers at Tamarama Beach, Sydney, during a powerful swell and offshore winds
Giant black sea bass in Catalina Island kelp forest with parasitic copepods near its eye.
Steven Lopez. A close view of a giant black sea bass reveals many parasitic copepods clustered around its eye in a Catalina Island kelp forest, Southern California
Volunteers and groups in Boa Vista, Cape Verde, work to re-float stranded short-finned pilots.
Rui Filipe Cardoso Duarte, winner of the Human Connection category. Volunteers, surfers, lifeguards, and conservation groups in Boa Vista, Cape Verde, work together to re-float stranded short-finned pilot whales
Thousands of fish-farming cages form a vast community in the sea in Fujian.
Sun Qingsheng, finalist in the Human Connection category. Thousands of fish-farming cages stretch across the sea, connected by floatng walkways and small wooden huts to form a vast community in Fujian Province, China
Curious sea lion pups approach a photographer in Jurien Bay Marine Park, Western Australia.
Jenny Stock, winner of the Female Fifty Fathoms Award. In Western Australia’s Jurien Bay Marine Park, curious sea lion pups approached the photographer in the water
Teenager at Bronte Ocean Pool, Sydney, with waves crashing over the closed bathing site.
Gergo Rugli. A teenager stands at Bronte Ocean Pool, Sydney, as a powerful swell sends waves crashing over the closed bathing site
Scorpionfish consumes a lizardfish during hunting near Anilao, Philippines, showing predator-prey dynamics.
Andrea Michelutti, finalist in the Wildlife category. A scorpionfish consumes a lizardfish in a moment of hunting behavior near Anilao, Philippines, revealing the constant balance between survival and vulnerability on coral reefs

Sources & Links

Source: thisiscolossal.com

Frequently asked questions

What impacts are being felt in Southern California due to changes in ocean conditions?

Southern California faced intense swells empowered by king tides, causing beaches to disappear quickly due to accelerated erosion.

Who won the Ocean Photographer of the Year competition in 2026?

Photographer Julien Anton won the top prize for his black-and-white portrait of a seahorse with two juveniles.

What did the Ocean Census reveal about marine biodiversity?

The Ocean Census revealed over 1,000 new species, expanding our understanding of marine biodiversity.

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