In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly decided that, as from 2009, June 8 would be designated by the United Nations as “World Oceans Day.” We recognize that our oceans are essential to securing food and survival of all life on planet Earth. They power our climate and they are a critical part of the biosphere. Even when people all around the world are dealing with the unprecedented measures to suppress the COVID-19 pandemic, our oceans are still taking care of us!

World Oceans Day encourages you to make a difference in your life, in your community, and in the world by taking action to protect our ocean—for present and future generations. Despite the huge challenges facing the world’s oceans such as plastic pollution, overfishing and climate change, by working together we can achieve a healthier ocean that will provide for the billions of humans, plants and animals which depend on it every day.

Overall World Oceans Day Theme Winner (2019) by David Salvatori

Ellen Cuylaerts, UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition Curator said:

“We appeal to all image-makers to enter the seventh edition of the United Nations World Oceans Day Photo Competition. Most of you are probably locked-down for the next few weeks. Our past encounters with marine life are now more cherished than ever and have us longing to be in the water again and show the beauty of the seas, the calming effect the waves have on us, the breeze taking all our worries away on a coastal walk. Now, more than ever, we need a reminder of the resilience we expect from the oceans and the lack of breathing space we have been giving her. We invite you to dive into your image library and enter the competition!”

Apart from the classic categories open to images of underwater marine life, seascapes, landscapes, human interaction, and images showing the challenges facing the oceans, they have added some new categories to motivate you to enter pictures with perhaps less aesthetic value but strong visual storytelling values.

“Enter this year’s theme category “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean”, give us hope by showing how the oceans are restoring themselves by submitting to the “Rejuvenation” category, wow us with your creativity and imagination in the “Digital Ocean Photo Art” category, and as we kick off the Ocean Decade (2021–2030), inspire others with your images demonstrating “Science in Action”!

This year, they are asking every participant to agree to a charter of ethics in underwater photography. They hope that this charter will be an example for many competitions around the world, inviting photographers not just to enjoy the oceans but to lead by example and be true ocean ambassadors.

For more infomation, or to enter the competition, please click here.