Photos of Colorful, Majestic Marine Creatures Are 'A Visual Feast'

Caretta caretta turtle

Swimming in the open ocean entangled this loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in a dangerous trap posed by a discarded fishing net. Luckily, photographer Eduardo Acevedo encountered the turtle near the Canary Islands, and released her from the net after capturing this striking image. Acevedo's photo of her plight brought home a win in the Marine Conservation category of the photography contest. Acevedo also received the title of "Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2019."

Marine compass

In the Isles of Scilly in the United Kingdom, photographer Malcolm Nimmo encountered this compass jellyfish while snorkling in shallow water. Nimmo received a Highly Commended award in the British Waters Wide angle category. He also won the title of "Most Promising British Underwater Photographer 2019."

Paradise

In a "split" image, photographer Taeyup Kim captured resorts, palm trees, and clear skies above unspoiled hard corals and reef fish. Kim took home a win in the Up and Coming category of the Underwater Photography of the Year 2019 competition.

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The gauntlet

Roughly 700 sharks patrol the mouth of French Polynesia's Fakarava South Pass. In this image, one of the sharks bit down on an unlucky parrotfish, which struggled to escape. Photographer Richard Barnden captured a win in the Behavior category of the contest and was named "Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019."