For the past 34 years, CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques) has run the World Underwater Photography Championship. Taking place biannually, it gathers photographers and videographers from around the globe to compete for the coveted title of World Champion in selected categories. As CMAS is an umbrella body that represents the interests of its affiliated federations, these are held and run by local diving federations. For 2019, the Championship was held on Tenerife, the Canary Islands and hence was administered by the Spanish diving federation, FEDAS (Federación Española de Actividades Subacuáticas) and Canarias Underwater Federation (FEDECAS) from 19 to 20 September.

Following the “Photosub” format of competitions, image-makers were judged on images captured in-camera, over a fixed period and in strictly defined locations. For still images, there is no computer-based editing or processing allowed, with in-camera editing only being allowed underwater and during the specific dive times allocated.

This gallery shows all the winning images from the event, and there is also a full report that was written during it. Congratulations to all the winners, and we look forward to the nest event in 2021.