[imagesource: Aimee Jan]

The ocean and its creatures are under increased threat.

That’s why photographers are adventuring into the depths to bring the wonders and tragedies of the ocean to the surface so that those of us on land can ponder them, and find inspiration to protect it all.

From around the world, ranging from Western Australia to Norway, photographers are capturing the state of our oceans, showing animals and plants in their natural environment.

Seen above is a lone green turtle surrounded by glassfish in the Ningaloo Reef off Western Australia.

The photo won Aimee Jan the Ocean Photographer of the Year award.

But most striking is perhaps Kerim Sabuncuoğlu’s photographs, which really brings the ocean’s silent struggle to life, per The Guardian.

He won the Conservation Photographer of the Year for this image of a dead moray eel hooked by an abandoned fishing line off Bodrum, Turkey:

Sabuncuoğlu had witnessed the deadly consequences of what is known as ghost fishing:

“When a fisherman leaves his equipment under the water, like a fishing net or line, it keeps on killing fish for many years to come,” he explains. “If I had left this moray eel, some other fish would have eaten the hook, and died as well.”

Ghost fishing is a problem all over the world, where fishing gear accounts for around an estimated 10% of all marine litter.

An average of 11 large whales became entangled in ghost nets every year between 2000 and 2012 on the west coast of the US alone, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service.

As for smaller fish and sea life caught in nets and pots and on discarded hooks? The numbers are impossible to estimate, but Sabuncuoğlu reckons it is in the millions.

He won for capturing the emotionality of the tragedy, which is a real challenge for conservationists and photographers alike.

Something like Nicholas Samaras’ photograph of a seahorse clinging to a face mask in Stratoni, Greece, also does a good job of this.

His photo was highly commended in the Conservation Photographer of the Year category.

Likewise with Galice Hoarau who took second place for Conservation Photographer of the Year for this image of a gull caught on a ‘ghost’ fishing line in Norway:

Moving into territory that is less saddening, we have something from the Exploration Photographer of the Year, Martin Broen.

Broen captured speleothems (mineral deposits) casting long shadows at Cenote dos Pisos in Quintana Roo state, Mexico:

James Ferrera was nominated for the Adventure Photographer of the Year thanks to his image of a sperm whale amid sargassum weed off Roseau, Dominica:

Meanwhile, this photo of a humpback whale captured by Sébastien Pontoizeau/Alasy Photography won third place for Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year:

The Young Ocean Photographer of the Year is Hannah Le Leu. She photographed a little green sea turtle hatchling as it surfaces for air amidst a sky full of hungry birds.

It was shot on Heron Island, Queensland, Australia:

For more stunning sea creatures and seascapes, head here.

[source:guardian]