French photographer Julien Anton has been named Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 for his extraordinary portrait of a male seahorse and two tiny juveniles alongside him. Anton’s photograph was first named winner of the Ocean Wildlife category before being elevated to the overall prize.On being named Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, Anton commented, ‘Winning Ocean Photographer of the Year is an immense honour – one I’m proud to share with my family, and with the local residents, naturalists and fishermen of Tahiti and Moorea whose knowledge made this image possible. We spent countless hours searching in difficult conditions, with no guarantee of finding a single seahorse. My hope is that this image can serve as a bridge between science, conservation and a world that deserves to know what is at stake.’

For the second consecutive year two Australians were category winners in the annual competition

• Sydney photographer Gergo Rugli won the Adventure category for an image of dolphins cresting a wave alongside surfers at Tamarama Beach in Sydney, Australia – a joyful collision of two worlds that share the same water.
• Matty Smith, based in Newcastle, NSW, won the Fine Art category with a black-and-white portrait of a nurse shark, flanked by remoras in perfect formation, is a study in form and stillness, and a breathtaking reminder of the magic and wonder of our ocean planet.

In all, there were 10 Australian or Australian-based photographers nominated as finalists in the competition. Over 15,000 images were entered 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 19.

‘We are proud to be partnering once again with Oceanographic Magazine to bring to life the breathtaking Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition. This exhibition showcases just how extraordinary the underwater world is and the importance of caring and protecting for our oceans.’ Museum Director and CEO Ms Daryl Karp commented.

‘When Julien Anton’s image first appeared on screen, the judging panel fell silent. It is an image that demands reflection, pause for thought, and it certainly got that from us. The image is full of quiet energy, even if some of that comes from us humans imprinting our own emotions on the photograph: the bow of the father’s head, the juveniles turning back towards him, the generational gap and the unknown futures of the newborns. What kind of ocean are we leaving for those who come after us? It is ocean photography at its most powerful: intimate, urgent and impossible to ignore.’ Ocean Photographer of the Year Director, Will Harrison, commented.

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.