Congratulations Byron Bay photographer Craig Parry, who has been awarded first place in the Human Connection Award: People & Planet Ocean category at the internationally renowned Ocean Photographer of the Year Awards.
Craig’s winning image, was taken along Seven Mile Beach, Lennox Head, and captures the moving story of a community coming together in the face of tragedy.
He says, ‘In the early hours of 1 July 2023, we received a call about a stranded humpback whale. Local wildlife volunteers quickly assessed the situation and contacted SeaWorld Marine Rescue and other key agencies to coordinate a response. For 15 hours, rescue teams and the local community worked tirelessly in a unified effort to save her. Sadly, despite their dedication, she could not be saved.’
The Ocean Photographer of the Year competition is one of the world’s most prestigious celebrations of ocean imagery. Each year, the awards showcase 118 powerful ocean photographs, judged by a panel of internationally recognised ocean photographers, editors, and curators. Designed to celebrate the beauty of our blue planet while highlighting the urgent challenges it faces, the awards attract both professional and amateur photographers from around the globe, with the winning images reaching millions worldwide through exhibitions and media.
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