Oceanographic Magazine has unveiled the extraordinary finalists for its 2025 Ocean Photographer of the Year contest, presented in partnership with Blancpain. The competition, which sifted through thousands of entries from around the world, celebrates the breathtaking beauty of our oceans while highlighting the urgent need for marine conservation.
The finalists span seven distinct categories, ranging from spectacular wildlife photography to powerful images documenting human impact on marine environments. Among the standout entries is Luis Arpa's captivating image of a juvenile Pinnate Batfish from Indonesia's Lembeh Strait, captured using slow shutter speed and deliberate camera panning to create dramatic motion effects. The photograph showcases the fish's striking black body outlined in vibrant orange, a coloration that disappears within months as the fish matures.
Will Harrison, Director of Ocean Photographer of the Year, emphasized the critical importance of ocean photography in today's environmental crisis. "In the midst of a deepening climate and biodiversity crisis on our blue planet, ocean photography has never been more important," Harrison explained. "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 competition features renowned photographers including Alvaro Herrero, Henley Spiers, and Scott Portelli, creating an exceptionally competitive field. Notable finalists include Kaushiik Subramaniam's aerial photograph of gray whales approaching a fishing skiff in Baja, California, and Karim Iliya's stunning aerial view of a windsurfer navigating the powerful waves at Ho'okipa Beach in Maui during the American Windsurfing Tour competition.
Several entries showcase remarkable marine wildlife encounters. Romain Barats captured both gentoo penguins building colonies during the Antarctic summer and an extraordinary moment of swimming with sperm whales in Dominica. Marcia Riederer documented the rare predictable aggregation of dwarf minke whales at Australia's Great Barrier Reef, while Hitomi Tsuchiya's image from Japan's Satsuma-Iojima Island reveals the underwater aurora phenomenon created by volcanic iron-rich substances.
The artistic category features particularly creative entries, including Toni Bertran Regàs' space-inspired jellyfish photograph from Spain, captured using a fisheye lens at sunrise to create the illusion of a rocket leaving Earth. Andrey Shpatak's rare image of a pea crab in Russia's Rudnaya Bay represents a once-in-40-years sighting of these creatures that typically live inside mussel shells.
Conservation themes run throughout many finalist entries. Daniel Flormann's impactful image from Indonesia shows three sharks trapped in fishing nets meant for anchovies, highlighting the devastating reality that over 100 million sharks are killed annually by humans. In contrast, Sirachai Arunrugstichai's hopeful photograph documents conservation efforts at Thailand's Aquaria Phuket, where a breeding program for endangered Indo-Pacific Leopard sharks has produced over 40 pups since 2023.
Human connection with marine life features prominently in several entries. Daan Verhoeven captured freediver Surya Lecona Moctezuma diving through light beams in a Mexican cenote, while Byron Conroy documented divers in Iceland's crystal-clear Silfra fissure. Craig Parry's emotional aerial photograph shows community members attempting to rescue a stranded humpback whale in Australia, demonstrating the power of collective conservation efforts.
The Youth category showcases the next generation of ocean photographers, including Yuka Takahashi's synchronized humpback whale photograph from French Polynesia. Her work reflects the deep biophilia held by Tahitian people and captures the strong bond between marine mammals.
Technical excellence is evident throughout the finalist collection. Takumi Oyama's detailed documentation of yellow pygmy goby larval dispersal behavior in Japan reveals the unusual female parental care in this species. Ysabela Coll's dynamic image of a stingray creating a defensive sand cloud in Mexico demonstrates both artistic vision and scientific understanding of marine behavior.
The winners will be announced in September, with selections made from this exceptional group of finalists. Ocean Photographer of the Year continues to serve as a vital platform for sharing critical stories from above and below the waterline, combining artistic excellence with environmental advocacy to inspire ocean conservation efforts worldwide.
