A GROUP of seals frolicking around an Antarctic iceberg is the subject of the winning picture in this year’s Underwater Photographer of the Year awards.
More than 5,500 photos from dozens of countries were entered into the competition, capturing ravenous sharks, swimming dragons and even an octopus playing football.
The annual competition seeks to celebrate photography beneath the surface of the sea, lakes, rivers and more.
Judge Alex Mustard said this year’s entries featured “a real diversity of photos taken in waters from the polar oceans to the swimming pool.”
Frenchman Greg Lecouer bagged this year’s “best of show” award with his snap of four crabeater seals dancing around a drifting iceberg.
Greg said of the image: “Massive and mysterious habitats, icebergs are dynamic kingdoms that support marine life.
“During an expedition in Antarctica Peninsula, we explored and documented the hidden face of this iceberg where crab-eater seals have taken up residence.”
Other shots commended by judges included a snap of Lemon shark pups lurking in mangroves and a tragic shot of a tuna fish tangled in a fishing net.
There were plenty of other winners across 13 categories, testing entrants with themes like Wide Angle, Behaviour and Wreck.
British Underwater Photographer of the Year for 2020 went to Nicholas More for his chaotic picture of Rabbit Fish in Indonesia.
Fotteyo overhangs, with golden bunches of soft corals that you can see in this picture, is a famous spot in the southern Maldives[/caption]
Best Macro photo went to Hannes Klostermann for her shot of a tiny fish peaking out from a coral reef in the Cayman Islands.
Speaking on this year’s entries, judge Alex Mustard said the collection was the strongest in the competition’s 55-year history.
“This year every single image is worthy of your attention,” he said.
“We appreciate and enjoy seeing every image we receive.”
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