Credit -Yuri Ivanov – Ocean Photographer of the Year
Indonesia-based macro expert, Yury Ivanov has been named Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 for his amazing image of two tiny marine creatures — amphipods from the Cyproideidae family, commonly called "ladybugs of the sea" — resting quietly on a coral. Each of them measures just around 3 millimeters in body length.
It took six dives with approximately six hours underwater to capture the striking image.
Speaking about what it meant to be named Ocean Photographer of the Year, Ivanov said: 'Winning Ocean Photographer of the Year is an incredible feeling; I'm deeply grateful for the recognition. This award is not just about one image, but about celebrating the ocean itself — its fragility, its diversity, and its extraordinary power to inspire us.'
For the first time two Australians were category winners in the annual competition
Credit Marcia Riederer – Ocean Photographer of the Year
Melbourne photographer Marcia Riederer won the Fine Art category with an image of a Dwarf Minke whale, photographed on the Ribbon Reefs, part of the Great Barrier Reef
Credit – Craig Parry – Ocean Photographer of the Year
Craig Parry, based in Lennox Head, NSW, won the Human Connection category with a compelling drone image of a rescue attempt for a stranded Humpback whale on Seven Mile Beach.
In all there were 13 Australian or Australian based finalists in this year's awards.
Over 15,000 images submitted from around the world by planet's leading ocean photographers.
All the finalist images will be on display at the world premiere Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum opening on November 6
Museum Director and CEO Ms Daryl Karp said, 'We are proud to once again partner with Oceanographic Magazine to bring these extraordinary images off the screen and page and into a gallery. The stories behind these photographs are as compelling as the visuals themselves—they challenge us to see the ocean not just as a place of wonder, but as a world in need of our care.'
Ocean Photographer of the Year Director, Will Harrison, said: 'In the midst of a deepening climate and biodiversity crisis on our blue planet, ocean photography has never been more important. These images are far more than just beautiful – they are powerful visual testaments to what we stand to lose, and they remind us of the urgent need for protection.
'Ocean Photographer of the Year continues to be a vital platform for sharing critical stories from above and below the waterline. We're in awe of this year's finalists and look forward to revealing the winners to the world next month. Their work has the power to inspire change.'
The Ocean Photographer of the Year, presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain, has a simple mission: to shine a light on the wonder and fragility of our blue planet, and to celebrate the photographers giving it a voice.
