The University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of marine and Atmospheric Science has announced the winners of their 2016 Annual Underwater Photography Contest. With over 500 entries from around the world, the best overall image was shot by Beth Watson and features mangroves and orbital batfish in Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Press Release

MIAMI – April 21, 2016 – More than 500 underwater images were submitted for the 2016 Annual Underwater Photography Contest hosted by the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The ‘best overall’ photograph was submitted under the wide-angle category and was taken off Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The photo by Beth Watson and is of a lush near shore view of Mangroves and Orbicular Batfish (Platax orbicularis) over a teeming community of soft corals. A panel of experts, including photographer and UM lecturer Myron Wang, underwater photographer Nicole Wang and Rosenstiel School Research Assistant Professor Evan D’Alessandro judged the photos that came from 14 countries and 15 U.S. states. Awards were given in four categories: macro, fish or marine animal portrait, wide angle, and best overall submission. The School also recognized the best UM student photo, which was of a Caribbean Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea) taken by David Goldstein in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

The underwater photography contest is held annually, and is open to all amateur photographers who earn no more than 20 percent of their income from their photography. To view the winners of this year’s contest, visit http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/outreach/underwater-photography/2016-winners/

The ‘best overall’ prize is a trip on Blackbeard’s Cruises departing from Freeport, Bahamas. This year’s ‘best UM student photos’ were sponsored by Divers Direct.

View all of the winners and prizes here.