Call for Entries: Guardians of the Coral Reef Photo Competition 2026
The 2026 Guardians of the Coral Reef Photo Competition is now open, organised by the IOC Sub‑Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) in partnership with Chulalongkorn University, Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), Valeura Energy, and the Coral and Coastal Conservation Foundation. This global call seeks striking imagery that showcases the many ways people and nature are working together to protect and restore coral reefs for future generations.
The competition supports ocean literacy, inspires ocean stewardship, and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) — a global initiative driving collaborative, science-based solutions for healthier oceans.
Who Can Enter & Themes
Photographers from anywhere in the world are invited to participate, but all images must be taken in the Western Pacific region. Each entrant may submit only one photograph to one of the three main categories:
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Community Guardians – Featuring community efforts, including fishers, volunteers, or local groups, engaged in coral reef protection and restoration.
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Science & Innovation Guardians – Highlighting scientific research, restoration technology, coral nurseries, and field studies.
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Nature’s Guardians – Emphasising reef ecosystems and natural defenders, such as parrotfish, sea cucumbers, and coralline algae.
A special Youth Photographer Award is also open to entrants under 25 years of age (as of June 8, 2026). Youth entrants submit through one of the same categories, competing for the same cash and certificate prizes.
Prizes and Recognition
Winners in each category and the Youth Photographer Award will receive:
- 1st Place: USD 500 + certificate
- 2nd Place: USD 200 + certificate
- 3rd Place: USD 200 + certificate
In addition to cash prizes, winning images may be used for scientific outreach, educational activities, and promotional coverage by UNESCO and partner organisations, helping amplify the powerful stories behind the photographs.
Submission Guidelines
To be eligible, images must meet the following criteria:
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Taken in the Western Pacific (location must be included in the caption).
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JPEG format with a minimum of 1,200 px on the longest side and max 10 MB file size.
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Accompanied by an English caption (≤200 words) detailing the photo’s story and relevance to reef protection or restoration.
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Named using the format: Country_PhotographerName_Category_PhotoTitle.jpg (e.g., Thailand_Somchai_NaturesGuardians_CoralandTurtle.jpg).
How to Submit
Photos must be submitted via the official Google Form by 11:59 pm (Bangkok time, GMT+7) on April 18, 2026. If online submission is not possible, entrants may email their image and required entry form to:
By entering, photographers grant the organisers a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to reproduce and display submissions — credited to the photographer — for media, promotional, and educational purposes.
About WESTPAC
The IOC Sub‑Commission for the Western Pacific works with partners across academia, government, and civil society to advance marine science, conservation, and ocean literacy throughout the Asia‑Pacific region.
