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General news | Tue, 03/18/2025 - 12:00

OceanPrediction DCC Photo Contest

 

 

 

 Submit your best shot! 

 

  1. Objective

Within the context of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), set to take place from 9 to 13 June 2025 in Nice, France, the OceanPrediction Decade Collaborative Centre (OPDCC) is organizing a photo contest. 

The contest aims to celebrate the ocean's vital role in our lives by showcasing compelling images that capture its beauty, human connections, and the power of science and innovation to preserve marine ecosystems and safeguard coastal communities. Open to all photography enthusiasts, the contest invites participants to submit images in three categories: 

  • Human Ocean Connection – Highlighting the diverse ways people interact with the ocean, from recreation and fisheries to shipping and renewable energy. 

  • Science and Innovation – Showcasing how scientific advancements and technological innovations contribute to sustainable ocean solutions. 

  • Ocean’s Beauty – Capturing the breathtaking wildlife and landscapes that make the ocean a source of wonder and inspiration. 

     

Organiser Information 

The OceanPrediction Decade Collaborative Centre (OPDCC), which oversees the contest, operates under the coordination of Mercator Ocean. 

Organiser: MERCATOR OCEAN 
Address: 2 Avenue de l’Aérodrome de Montaudran, 31400 TOULOUSE, France 
Phone: +33 (0) 5 61 39 38 02 

  

  1. Why Participate? 

Winning entries will receive prestigious exposure and recognition during the United Nations Ocean Conference 2025 (UNOC3): 

Exhibition at UNOC3 – Winning photos will be prominently displayed at the European Digital Ocean Pavillion in the public Green Zone, offering global visibility among ocean experts, policymakers, and stakeholders. 

Digital Photo Book – Selected entries will be featured in an exclusive digital photo book, showcasing the most compelling images submitted. 

Special Recognition – The text accompanying the overall winning photo will be read during the opening session of the European Digital Pavilion, emphasizing the importance of ocean protection through visual storytelling. 

All featured photographs will also gain online visibility through the OceanPrediction DCC and European Digital Pavilion platforms. 

This is your chance to have your work seen, celebrated, and contribute to raising awareness about our ocean. Submit your best shot! 

 

Winners

  • Category Winners – For each of the three categories (Human Ocean Connection, Science & Innovation, Ocean’s Beauty), a first, second, and third prize will be awarded. These 9 winning photos will be exhibited at the European Digital Pavilion, showcased online, and featured in a digital photo book.
  • One Overall Winner – Selected from the 9 category winners, this photograph will receive special recognition, including having its accompanying text read during the opening session of the European Digital Pavilion at UNOC3.

  • Honourable Mentions – 10 additional photographs will receive honourable mentions for their outstanding contribution. These images will be showcased online and included in the digital photo book.

     

Notification of Winners 

Winners of the OceanPrediction DCC Photo Contest will be notified by email using the contact information provided during submission. An official announcement will also be made on the OceanPrediction DCC and EU Digital Pavilion platforms. Participants are encouraged to check their emails regularly. 

  1. Participation conditions 

The OceanPrediction DCC Photo Contest is open to all individuals, regardless of nationality or professional background. Participants must be natural persons (not organizations or entities) and must enter the contest by completing the dedicated online submission form within the specified deadline. 

Each participation is nominal and personal: 

  • A participant may not submit entries under multiple pseudonyms. 

  • Entries must be submitted on an individual basis; no submissions will be accepted on behalf of others. 

By entering the contest, participants fully and unreservedly accept the present rules (the “Regulations”), as well as the ethical guidelines governing internet use and all applicable laws and regulations on contests in France. 

  

  1. Duration 

The OceanPrediction DCC Photo Contest will be open for submissions from March 18 to April 15. Participants must submit their entries within this period via the dedicated online submission form. Any submission received after the deadline will not be considered. 

 

  1. Participation Modalities 

Participation in the OceanPrediction DCC Photo Contest is exclusively online through the dedicated submission platform [link]. 

  • The contest will be open for submissions from March 18 to April 15 at 23:59. No submissions will be accepted after this deadline. 

  • The organizers reserve the right to reject any photograph without justification. Any submission that is deemed inappropriate or contrary to public morals will be disqualified without appeal. 

  • Each participant may submit up to one photograph per category, for a maximum of three photos in total. 

  • Photographs must be in colour or black and white, in JPG or PNG with a minimum resolution of 3000 pixels on the longest side.   

  • Participation is free of charge, and any internet connection costs incurred for submission are the responsibility of the participant. 

  • Photos generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) are strictly prohibited. 

 

Selection Process & Anonymity 

  • Throughout the contest period, all submitted photos will remain anonymous to ensure fairness. Photographer identities will only be revealed after the winners are selected. 

  • Participants should not include any signature, watermark, or identifying mark on their photos to maintain anonymity. 

The decisions of the jury are final and irrevocable. 

 

  1. Photographic rights 

By submitting photographs to the OceanPrediction DCC Photo Contest, the Participant: 

  • Confirms that they are the author and rightful owner of the submitted images. 

  • Guarantees that the submitted content is lawful and suitable for publication. 

  • Agrees not to take legal action against OceanPrediction DCC regarding the submitted content and to indemnify OceanPrediction DCC in case of any legal action by a third party related to the submitted content. 

OceanPrediction DCC does not control and cannot be held responsible for the content submitted by Participants. 

  • Participants retain full ownership of their submitted photographs. However, by submitting a photo, they agree to grant OceanPrediction DCC a non-exclusive, free-of-charge license to use their image strictly for the promotion of the contest and its related activities. A photo credit will accompany all images used across web and print materials, ensuring proper attribution to the photographer. 

  • The submitted photos may be exhibited, published, edited, or modified solely within the scope of promoting the contest, without any financial compensation beyond the prizes defined in the Regulations. 

  • Participants authorize OceanPrediction DCC to:  

  • Reproduce the photograph in unlimited copies, in whole or in part, on any current or future media. 

  • Display and distribute the photograph through any present or future communication channels. 

OceanPrediction DCC is committed to promoting and valuing the work of photographers. This authorization does not grant exclusive rights to OceanPrediction DCC but ensures the legal use of the photographs for promotional purposes. OceanPrediction DCC will not generate revenue from the display or distribution of submitted photos. 

 

  1. Participant's responsibility 

The Participant assumes full responsibility for the content of the photographs submitted to the OceanPrediction DCC Photo Contest. 

The Participant commits to submitting photographs that: 

  • Respect the intellectual property rights of third parties and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. 

  • Are, in general, in accordance with public order and good morals. 

In the event of a violation of these rules, OceanPrediction DCC reserves the right to disqualify the Participant without prior notice, without prejudice to any further legal action that may be taken by OceanPrediction DCC or any third party. 

The Participant guarantees OceanPrediction DCC against any legal action arising from the submitted photographs. 

If the submitted photographs depict third parties—especially minors or legally incapacitated persons—the Participant must ensure they have obtained explicit authorization from the individuals concerned or their legal representatives before submitting and publishing the images. 

OceanPrediction DCC cannot be held responsible for any failure by the Participant to comply with these legal obligations. 

The Participant acknowledges that any photo published as part of the contest may be reproduced and shared free of charge through the OceanPrediction DCC website and its associated social media channels for the entire duration of its hosting, to ensure the contest's promotion. 

Finally, it is the Participant’s responsibility to take all necessary measures to protect their own data and software stored on their equipment. Any connection to the contest platform is made at the Participant’s sole risk. 

 

  1. Technical specifications  

To ensure the quality and usability of submitted photographs, participants must adhere to the following specifications: 

  • File format: JPEG, PNG, or TIFF. 

  • Minimum resolution: 3000 pixels on the longest side. 

  • Maximum file size: 20 MB. 

  • Metadata: EXIF data must remain intact. 

 

Accepted photos 

  • Colour or black and white images are allowed. 

  • Photos must be captured with a camera or smartphone (AI-generated images are strictly prohibited). 

Any submission that does not meet these technical requirements may be disqualified. 

Editing rules 

  • Minor edits such as adjustments to contrast, brightness, sharpness, colour balance, and cropping are allowed. 

  • Heavy modifications that alter the authenticity of the scene, including the insertion or removal of elements, are strictly prohibited. 

  • Photomontages or unrealistic alterations that misrepresent the original scene are not permitted. 

Any image found to violate these editing rules may be disqualified. 

 

  1. Selection criteria  

All submitted photographs will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

  • Relevance to the chosen theme – The image must clearly align with one of the three contest categories: Human Ocean Connection, Science and Innovation, or Ocean’s Beauty. 

  • Originality and creativity – The photograph should present a unique perspective, showcasing an innovative or artistic vision of the ocean. 

  • Technical quality – Consideration will be given to composition, lighting, sharpness, and overall photographic execution. 

  • Visual and emotional impact – The ability of the image to captivate, inspire, and evoke emotions will be a key factor in the selection process.