We are excited to share the Blue4All Marine Protection Photography Contest results! Over the summer, citizens across Europe submitted photographs showing what the sea and its protection mean to them. The response was overwhelming, with entries capturing the beauty, fragility, and importance of our marine environments from all over Europe and beyond.
After careful evaluation by an international jury, four winners have been chosen – one from each European sea basin:
Winner Baltic Sea – The end of the journey of the European eel
Photo by Piotr Balazy
“During a dive near the Torpedo House at Babie Doły, Gulf of Gdańsk, Baltic Sea, I came across an illegally set fyke net full of fish. The European eel has become extremely rare in this part of the Baltic Sea due to overfishing, therefore it was difficult to witness another individual trapped in this way. Technique: close focus wide angle, fisheye lens, small dome port, two external strobes.“
Winner Atlantic Ocean – The Solution
Photo by Vebjørn Karlsen
“This is Norwegian marine protection. Saltstraumen MPA is a very small protected area, with one of the world’s strongest maelstroms. The area is protected because it contains endangered, rare and vulnerable nature. But like all other Norwegian MPAs, this is a “paper park”. Unfortunately, these are the images I feel represent this area today.”
Winner North Sea – Sharing the sea
Photo by Francis Kerckhof
“To conserve the marine environment, we must learn to share the sea with marine mammals. These mobile creatures are not limited to any single area. Respecting their space and role in the ocean’s food web ensures the health and balance of the marine environment.“
Winner Mediterranean Sea – Brotherhood
Photo by Julie Virginie Sferlazzo-Rouvier
“In this shot, two feather stars dance side by side among purple sea fans and orange corals, like siblings supporting each other in the silent sea. Their feathery crowns intertwine without touching—free yet united, each different yet complementary. Around them, life unfolds in a thousand colors, guarding a fragile harmony. As in any true brotherhood, what binds them is not similarity, but mutual trust and shared balance. In this hidden corner of the Mediterranean, biodiversity teaches us that coexistence is possible, and that together—even in the depths—we can shine with our own light.“
Congratulations to these outstanding photographers! Their images will appear in the 2026 Blue4All Marine Protection Calendar, and each winner will receive a sustainable bracelet made from recycled fishing nets by Bracenet and a copy of the calendar.
This contest has shown how deeply people connect with the sea and how vital it is to work together to protect it. At Blue4All, we believe marine protection only works when everyone is involved—citizens, communities, scientists, and policymakers alike. These photos remind us that caring for our seas is both a shared responsibility and a shared joy.
Learn more about the Blue4All Project and the upcoming exhibitions here, and follow @Blue4All on LinkedIn for regular updates.
You can explore the gallery of all 30 selected photographs below.
