Photo contest to highlight treatment of the seas

A conservation group dedicated to finding solutions to problems besetting oceans is looking for photographs that can inspire people to take better care of the marine world.

SeaWeb’s Marine Photobank is seeking entries for its fifth annual Ocean in Focus contest and this time the theme of the images is human impacts on the seas, whether destructive or helping to restore the marine world.

Finalists will for the first time be asked to write a 400-600 word essay with accompanying photographs before the winner of the 2012 contest is selected.

Devin Harvey, Manager of the Marine Photobank, said: “We want to hear the stories behind these incredible images and give our contributing photographers a voice and an opportunity to tell others about the truths they have witnessed in the ocean.”

Dawn M Martin, SeaWeb’s president, added: “This inspiring photo contest has generated remarkably compelling images from photographers all around the world.

“To celebrate the fifth year of the contest, we want to turn the lens back on to the photographers and the rich, motivating stories they tell with their photographs. The newly incorporated photo essay component will capture these stories and more-fully tell the tale of their encounters with the ocean.”

The prize for the overall winner is a voyage for two aboard the National Geographic Endeavor to the Galapagos Islands through Lindblad Expeditions. Every finalist gets a copy of Professor Callum Robert’s recent book, The Ocean of Life. Entries are open until 23.59hrs on January 31, 2013 (Eastern Standard Time in the US).