Project AWARE Foundation and SeaWeb’s Marine Photobank are calling for entries for the third “Ocean in Focus” Conservation Photography Contest that feature species in need of protection, the human impacts upon them and their environments, and the importance of conserving biodiversity. The Grand Prize package includes US$500 cash as well as many marine-conservation related gifts. Four additional prize packages will be available: three for honourable mentions and a “Biodiversity Award” package that will be bestowed upon a submission that particularly highlights the need for biodiversity or biodiversity protection. Entrants are asked to submit their most captivating contest photos at the website below before August 31.

Website: Marine Photobank

Seaweb Press Release

OCEAN CONSERVATION PHOTO CONTEST FOCUSES ON SPECIES IN PERIL

Scuba divers and ocean enthusiasts called on to help conserve our ocean

In recognition of the United Nations declaring 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity, Project AWARE Foundation and SeaWeb’s Marine Photobank are calling for entries for the third “Ocean in Focus” Conservation Photography Contest that feature species in need of protection, the human impacts upon them and their environments, and the importance of conserving biodiversity.

Photographers of all backgrounds—including conservationists, scientists, divers, travelers and students—and at all skill levels, ranging from amateur to professional, are encouraged to vie for the Grand Prize package that includes US$500 cash as well as many marine-conservation related gifts. Four additional prize packages will be available: three for honorable mentions and a “Biodiversity Award” package that will be bestowed upon a submission that particularly highlights the need for biodiversity or biodiversity protection.

Partner organizations Project AWARE Foundation and SeaWeb’s Marine Photobank aim to inspire photographers to turn their lenses in a different direction—one that informs and inspires positive action that will help conserve marine species and their environments.

“We are at a tipping point and we need to use every tool in our toolbox to help advance marine conservation,” said Dawn M. Martin, president of SeaWeb. “As the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster has reminded us, images are incredibly powerful and important ways to tell the story of what’s happening in the ocean. Through this annual photo contest, we encourage photographers worldwide to share the images and stories of their experiences.”

This year, scientists and conservationists are especially concerned about recent failures of legislators to protect marine species. During the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species meeting in March, short-term economic interests won out over scientific evidence that many marine species are in need of further protection, including endangered hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, red coral and bluefin tuna.

“Divers are outraged at recent conservation failures. But we’re also some of the ocean planet’s strongest advocates, sharing a deep concern for protection of critical species,” says Project AWARE Foundation’s Director, Jenny Miller Garmendia. “This annual photo contest helps divers and underwater photographers raise the profile of these species during a critical time, and it helps to call attention to protection measures so desperately needed.”

Entrants are asked to submit their most captivating contest photos at www.marinephotobank.com before August 31. Winners will be announced this fall.

Project AWARE Foundation (www.projectaware.org), a registered nonprofit organization, works in direct partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. Project AWARE offices in the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Japan combine efforts to protect aquatic resources in 180 countries and territories of the world.

SeaWeb (www.seaweb.org) is an international, nonprofit, communications organization dedicated to creating a culture of ocean conservation. We work collaboratively to inform and empower diverse ocean voices and conservation champions in strategic, targeted sectors to encourage market solutions, policies and behaviors that result in a healthy, thriving ocean. We transform knowledge into action by shining a spotlight on workable, science-based solutions to the most serious threats facing the ocean such as climate change, pollution and overexploitation.

The Marine Photobank (www.marinephotobank.org), a project of SeaWeb, encourages ocean conservation by collecting and providing compelling, high quality marine photos, images and graphics at no cost for noncommercial use as well as for media use under special terms. The Marine Photobank aims to illuminate pressing marine issues and human impacts on the ocean through imagery.

Photo copyright Zoltán Árva-Tóth, 2005

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