# Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 winners announced > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ocean-photographer-of-the-year-competition > Updated: 2026-09-09T18:30:29.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 3. The 2026 Ocean Photographer of the Year competition, co-presented by Oceanographic and Blancpain, has concluded after receiving over 15,000 entries from around the world. The contest featured categories such as wildlife, fine art, conservation, adventure, and human connection, alongside a new category titled ‘Ocean Unseen: Hidden Worlds’ focused on the ocean’s smallest inhabitants. Following the announcement of finalists—which included imagery of orcas, sunfish, a scorpionfish in the Philippines, octopus mating at the Great Barrier Reef, and seal pups in the Falkland Islands—the overall winner was named as Julien Anton. Anton, a hobbyist photographer, won for a black-and-white portrait captured in Moorea, French Polynesia, depicting an adult seahorse with two newly born juveniles. Anton credited local communities in Tahiti and Moorea for the discovery, stating he hopes his image serves as a bridge between science and conservation. Other major award recipients include Jenny Stock, who received the Female Fifty Fathoms Award for her ocean photography portfolio, and Matty Smith, who won the Fine Art category for a portrait of a tawny nurse shark in the Maldives. Additional notable winners include Rafael Fernandez Caballero, who captured orcas hunting a humpback whale calf in Mexico, and Karsten Michels, who earned second place in the Conservation (Impact) category for a photograph of whale hunting in the Faroe Islands. Founder and director Will Harrison previously noted that the competition aims to ‘surface the stories our planet most needs us to hear’ regarding environmental pressures. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Julien Anton wins 2026 Ocean Photographer of the Year Julien Anton won the 2026 Ocean Photographer of the Year for his portrait of a seahorse in French Polynesia, part of a global competition highlighting marine beauty and conservation. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/julien-anton-wins-ocean-photographer-of-the-year-2026 ### 2026-08-17: Ocean Photographer of the Year finalists showcase marine life The Ocean Photographer of the Year finalists highlight marine biodiversity, featuring captures of octopus mating in Australia, scorpionfish hunting in the Philippines, and seal pups in the Falkland Islands. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ocean-photographer-of-the-year-finalists-showcase-marine-life ### 2026-08-13: Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 finalists announced Finalists for the 2026 Ocean Photographer of the Year have been announced, featuring diverse categories from wildlife to a new category focused on the ocean’s smallest inhabitants. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ocean-photographer-of-the-year-2026-finalists-announced --- Cite as: Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 winners announced. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ocean-photographer-of-the-year-competition