The IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC), Chulalongkorn University, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and Valeura Energy, Inc., are delighted to invite the public to participate in the ‘2024 Photo Competition on Coral Reef Restoration’!
Entries should convey contextual information pertaining to coral reef restoration actions, related citizen science, and ocean literacy activities. Photos should attract and engage public attention, evoking thoughts and emotions that motivate positive behavioural changes towards achieving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the vision of the UN Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development — ‘The science we need for the ocean we want!’
The Competition is open to all who wish to contribute their work to this event that aims to illustrate the captivating beauty of coral reef ecosystem and inspires concrete actions in the Western Pacific.
Photo Competition Categories and Prizes
The competition consists of the following three categories; applicants can join only one category and submit only one photo. Winners will be awarded cash prizes and certificates along the following lines:
I. Youth Competition: For those under 25 years of age as of 1 April 2024
The First-Prize winner will receive US$500; Second- and Third-Prize winners to receive US$200 each
II. Open Competition: for those who will be older than 25 years after 1 April, 2024
The First-Prize winner will receive US$700; Second- and Third Prize winners to receive US$300 each
III. Special Prize will be awarded for the participants in the 2nd UN Ocean Decade Regional Conference & 11th WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference (22–25 April 2024, Bangkok)
The First-Prize winner will receive US$300; Second- and Third-Prize winners to receive US$100 each
Digital Image Requirements
The photo shall be taken in the Western Pacific.
Each image should be submitted in JPEG format in a minimum dimension of 3,000 pixels. A high-resolution version of the photograph may be requested by the organizers for exhibition and relevant purposes.
Each image should be submitted with a 200-word caption (maximum) in English explaining the story behind the image which relates to coral reef restoration, indicating where and when the image was taken; entry must include proper credit to the photographer(s).
Competition Period
The Competition begins on 24 January 2024, and closes at 11.59 p.m. (23.59 Bangkok time, GMT+7), on 15 March 2024. The final announcement of winners will be made on 25 April 2024 at the closing ceremonies of the 2nd UN Ocean Decade Regional Conference & 11th WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference.
Image Rights
Entrant shall guarantee that he/she owns the copyright of the submitted image. By entering the Competition, each entrant grants to the Photo Competition organizers (IOC/WESTPAC, Chulalongkorn University, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and Valeura Energy, Inc.) a non-exclusive, copyright license to reproduce, publish, and display submitted images with credits to the photographer, for media coverage and promotional materials of the event, as well as for future competitions, and for science communication and educational activities across social media platforms.
Submission
Submit the image in required format with a complete Entry Form to iocwestpac.photo2024@gmail.com by 11.59 p.m. (23.59 Bangkok time, GMT+7) 15 March 2024.
Additional Information
The competition will be judged by a expert panel of photographers, scientists and marine resource managers. The judges reserve the right not to award prizes should there be insufficient entries. The panel’s decision is final, and no further correspondence will be accommodated.
For questions or more information, please contact:
iocwestpac.photo2024@gmail.com, with a copy sent to: iocwestpac@unesco.org.