Stunning snapshots of marine life and oceanic landscapes - victorious images from the UNWOD 2025 competition
Celebrating the Ocean: UNWOD 2025 Snaps Dazzle, Warn Against Untold Dangers Beneath the Surface
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This year, Rachel Moore clinched the top spot in the "Marine Miracle" category of the UNWOD 2025 Photography Contest. Her heart-stopping close-up of humpback whale Sweet Girl's mesmerizing eye, aptly titled "Sweet Gaze," was captured just days before the magnificent creature met a tragic fate, struck by a ship. Annually, around 20,000 whales perish in similar accidents, Moore points out.
Check out the breathtaking entries from the winners and finalists below:
Subaqueous Scenery
- Mystic Depths - Rachel Moore [1st Place]
- Twilight Abyss - John Doe [2nd Place]
- Underwater Reef - Jane Smith [3rd Place] Glistening Grove - Bob Jones [Honorable Mention]
Terrestrial Tableau
- Coastal Dawn - Robert Brown [1st Place]
- Majestic Sunset - Alice Taylor [2nd Place]
- Scenic Sea Cliff - Charlie Miller [3rd Place] Waves Whisper - Lisa Davis [Honorable Mention]
Underwater Portraits
- Sapphire Shark - Jessica Green [1st Place]
- Emerald Eel - Tom Anderson [2nd Place]
- Amber Angel Ray - Mike Johnson [3rd Place] Turquoise Turtle - Sarah Lee [Honorable Mention]
Marine Marvels
- Seascape Serenity - Alex Johnson [2nd Place]
- Coral Cathedral - David King [3rd Place] Surfside Symphony - Emily Davis [Honorable Mention]
From the Environmental Photography Award 2025 to the World Nature Photography Awards 2025, and The Nature Photography Contest, these stunning snaps serve as a reminder of our fragile marine ecosystems and the importance of raising awareness about their protection.
Rachel Moore's gut-wrenching photo was taken in Mo'orea, French Polynesia [1][2]. Her innovate advocacy for stricter speed laws around whale habitats highlights the stark reality of ship-whale collisions. Key factors causing these tragic accidents include speed and navigation difficulties, insufficient monitoring, and adverse environmental conditions. Consequences can range from devastating mortality, severe injuries, impact on whale populations, and broader ecological disruptions. By implementing speed restrictions, we can help protect these valuable marine species and preserve their vital roles in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
[1] Ship Collisions and Whales: A Poignant Win for UNWOD 2025[2] Rachel Moore's Tale of Determination: Protecting Whales from Ship Strikes
At the end of a day immersed in marvelous ocean images, it's time to shift focus to our home-and-garden lifestyle. Let's seek inspiration from the tranquil beauty of Rachel Moore's winning entry, "Mystic Depths", in the UNWOD 2025 Photography Contest. Some evenings, after a rewarding day outdoors, nothing beats the joy of cultivating a home-and-garden oasis, like our favorite hobby, gardening.
