From now until 30 October, the photo exhibition “Protecting UNESCO Marine World Heritage through scientific research” features 21 photographs at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, as well as a digital edition.

Exceptional photographs highlight how innovative marine experts and scientists take the pulse of the ocean by exploring ecosystems, studying the movement of species, or revealing the hidden biodiversity of coral reefs. Scientific discoveries are more important than ever for the protection and sustainable conservation of our Marine World Heritage. This memorable exhibition comes ahead of the launch, in 2021, of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (“Ocean Decade”). The exhibition was jointly developed by UNESCO and the Principality of Monaco.

The 50 marine sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, distributed across 37 countries, include a wide variety of habitats as well as rare marine life still largely unknown. Renowned for their unmatched beauty and emblematic biodiversity, these exceptional ecosystems play a leading role in the field of marine conservation. Through scientific field research and innovation, concrete actions to foster global preservation of the ocean are being implemented locally in these unique natural sites all over the world. They are true symbols of hope in a changing ocean.

Since 2017, the Principality of Monaco supports UNESCO to strengthen conservation and scientific understanding of the marine sites inscribed on the World Heritage List. This strategic partnership allows local management teams to benefit from the results obtained during the scientific missions of Monaco Explorations. The partnership also draws international attention to the conservation challenges facing the world’s most iconic ocean sites.

The exhibition invites viewers to take a passionate dive into the heart of the scientific missions led by Monaco Explorations in four marine World Heritage sites: Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (Philippines), Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (Colombia), Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (Palau), and the Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems (France). It is also an opportunity to discover the work of a megafauna census; the study of the resilience of coral reefs and their adaptation in a changing climate; the exploration of the deep sea; and the monitoring of large marine predators through satellite data.

To visit the Digital Exhibition click here.

Blue O Two has announced the winners of their first amateur photography competition.  Entitled, DIVING LIFE, it had two categories: Underwater Photograph and Divers Lifestyle Photograph.  An overall winner was chosen from the two category winners and received the title: Diving Life Photographer of the Year 2020.  A calendar of the winning photographs is being produced and will be released for sale in the coming weeks. 

The team at Blue O Two were blown away by the response they had to the competition.  Entries came in from all over the world.  When they launched the competition, it was in part to lift the mood, spreading some joy among the Covid gloom.  The idea was to remind divers of wonderful past experiences and to dream of those they will have again.  Given the engagement from the global diving world and the standard of entries, the competition will now be annual.

Ivan Donoghue: There’s always one!

From the hundreds of entries, there was an initial shortlist of 50 images.  Each category had 2^nd and 3^rd places, alongside several runners up.  The overall winner has a Liveaboard trip to Egypt to look forward to, the title of ‘Diving Life Photographer of the Year 2020’ and an assortment of Blue O Two goodies. Both category winners will receive a copy of their photograph printed on canvas, a copy of the Diving Life Calendar 2020 and a selection of branded goodies. The runners up will have their image printed in the calendar and will receive a free copy.

Dr Alex Mustard MBE, who judged the competition, said the following: “This collection of fabulous winning images reminds me why I love being underwater and going on diving adventures. It was a tough contest to judge because it was more than just an underwater picture competition, Diving Life was created for amateur photographers to share their love of diving, with pictures taken both above and below the surface. When judging I gave equal weighting to the feeling captured in the images and their photographic technique and quality. For me, all the winners capture the highs of dive trips: encounters with incredible creatures both big and small, amazing moments underwater, spending time with friends, visiting incredible places and having fun.

Overall Winner: Masayuki Agawa with Hammer River

Special congratulations to the overall winner Masayuki Agawa from the USA, whose white knuckle image Hammer River will immediately transport anyone who has dived with hammerheads in the East Pacific back on those dives. The hammerhead schools are regularly most spectacular when the currents are fierce and the advice from the National Park guides is to stay low and hold onto the rocks, as anyone floating up in the water will spook the sharks. The picture places me right in the moment of this unforgettable experience as the hammerhead school magically materialises from the blue.”

The winner, Masayuki Agawa, said: “I am truly honored. Thank you very much for the compliments! It was hard to contain my excitement when I saw the announcement.  Thank you again for such opportunity and motivation. I will continue to strive for better photos in the future!”

To see the winning images and learn more about the competition click here.