The Votes are in!  You can see the 2024 winning photos here!

Photo Categories

The photo submission period is now closed. Thank you to all who submitted photos! 

REEF members may submit up to three photos per category, in each of the following categories:

Fish Portrait: A portrait shot of fish only. Portrait shots usually focus on one fish and can be of its whole body or framed tightly around its head. (Portrait photos of Sea Turtles are also accepted in this category)
Macro: Shots that are extremely close up, making the subject appear larger than life-size.
Invertebrates: Images featuring a marine invertebrate.
REEF Survey:  Photos may include divers or snorkelers participating in the Volunteer Fish Survey Project (VFSP) as citizen scientists, including conducting REEF surveys in the water, or topside survey activities such as data entry or fish ID classes.
Habitat/Seascape/Environment: These photos must be of a marine environment or seascape. They do not have to be underwater but must be marine-focused, examples are over/under shots, mangroves, topside water shots, etc.

Voting

The voting period is now closed. Thank you to all who voted!

There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category for the photo that receives the most votes. The winning photos and photographers will be announced after the voting has ended on September 30.

*Please note: If you are having trouble voting, please try using your phone; that should fix the issue.

Thank you for your participation! For information about the Discover the Sea photography contest, visit https://www.REEF.org/photocontest. If you have any questions, please email photocontest@REEF.org.

Guidelines for Entry

Contestants should submit photos following the links below. Each photo must be submitted separately.

Fish Portrait Category
Macro Category
Invertebrate Category
REEF Surveyor Category
Habitat/Seascape/Environment Category

  • Please include contact information in your submission.
  • All entries must be received by 12:00 pm EDT on September 19.
  • There is no fee to participate.
  • The 2024 Photo Contest winners will be featured on REEF’s website, social media, and other communications channels.

Rules and Policies

● Submissions are for REEF members only. If you are not a REEF member, please join here: www.REEF.org/join
● Photographers can enter any (and all) of the categories described above, submitting no more than three photos per category.
● Photos do not have to be taken underwater but must contain marine/ocean-focused subject matter.
● Photos taken as a result of harassment of marine life may be disqualified at our discretion.
● To ensure anonymity in judging, please do not watermark your images.
● All photos submitted must follow all guidelines set by REEF. REEF reserves the right to disqualify any photos deemed unfit.

Judging

Submissions will be judged by a popular vote. Voting will be open online from September 20 - 30. There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category for the photo that receives the most votes. The winning photos and photographers will be announced after the voting has ended.

Image Usage

Copyright of all photos submitted is maintained by the author. REEF reserves the right to use or reproduce all submitted photos for training and conservation programming, with photo credit.

Conservation Challenge

By entering or voting in this year's contest you are eligible for the exclusive Discover the Sea Photo Contest Sticker. Click here for more details on the Conservation Challenge.

Previous Contests

2023 Winners: www.reef.org/2023-discover-sea-photography-contest-winners  

2022 Winners: www.reef.org/2022-discover-sea-photography-contest-winners

2021 Winners: www.REEF.org/2021-discover-sea-photography-contest-winners

2020 Winners: www.REEF.org/2020-reef-underwater-photography-contest-winners

2019 Winners: www.REEF.org/2019-underwater-photography-contest-results