The judges were tasked with selecting 1st, 2nd and 3rd place images from hundreds of entries in 10 categories. A 2020 World Oceans Day Theme winner was also selected by the organizers.

Congratulations to Joanna Smart, whose winning image in the World Oceans Day 2020 theme category “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean” was this year’s overall winner; to the other category winners, Leighton Lum (“Rejuvenation”), Hannes Klostermann (“Underwater Seascapes”), Michael Gallagher (“Underwater Life”), Geo Cloete (“Above Water Seascapes”), Renata Romeo (“Human Interaction: Making a Difference”), Sirachai Arunrugstichai (“Clean Our Ocean”), Francisco Sedano (“Digital Ocean Photo Art”), Kyla McLay (“Youth”), and Matthew Potenski (“Science in Action: Ocean Decade 2021–2030”); and to all the runners-up.

The winners were announced by the judges during today’s UN World Oceans Day 2020 Virtual Event. Finalists’ images will be further featured in a UN virtual exhibit, and physical exhibits are also planned as part of the UN’s awareness-raising activities.

The contest partners would like to thank competition curator Ellen Cuylaerts and this year’s judges—Adriana Basques, Adam Hanlon, Jill Heinerth, Darren Jew, Jane Morgan, Amos Nachoum, Miriam Stein Battles, David Salvatori, and John Thet—as well as theme category “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean” judge Jim Standing. The organizers congratulate all of the winners again and would like to thank everyone who participated. Thank you for sharing your work, and helping us convey the beauty, fragility and value of the oceans.

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