World Oceans Day Photo Contest

Our free photography contest recommendation of the day!

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The oceans are essential to food security and the health and survival of all life, power our climate and are a critical part of the biosphere. In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly decided that, as from 2009, 8 June would be designated by the United Nations as “World Oceans Day” (resolution 63/111, paragraph 171). The UN designation of World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans, and be part of the solutions.

World Oceans Day helps you make a difference in your life, community, and world by taking action to protect our ocean—for present and future generations. Despite the huge challenges facing the world’s ocean, by working together we can achieve a healthy ocean that provides for the billions of humans, plants and animals which depend on it every day.

This year you can share the beauty and importance of the ocean, through your photographs!


The ContestPhotography is a powerful medium of expression that can be used to communicate strong positive messages about a subject. This open and free photo contest seeks to inspire the creation and dissemination of such positive imagery, which conveys the beauty and importance of the ocean.

Five thematic categories are open for photographic submissions:

1. Underwater Seascapes
2. Underwater Life
3. Above Water Seascapes
4. Humans Interaction: Taking Action on Climate Change and Ocean Acidification
5. Youth: open category, any image of the ocean – below or above the surface – photographed by a young person under age 16 (as of 1 April 2015)

The entries must portray a positive theme and be submitted electronically through the World Oceans Day Photo Contest portal in accordance with the contest guidelines and subject to the contest rules.

Winning images will be recognized at a special World Oceans Day event at the United Nations on Monday June 8, 2015. We will recognize and widely share the winning images, and perhaps some top runner-ups, through the contest website, with the media, and through the information materials related to subsequent contests. Pending the securing of sponsors, material or cash prizes may be awarded.


All entries must be submitted by May 22, 2015 at 5pm Eastern Standard Time (EST).