The Pacific Community (SPC) is launching a photo contest with the theme of climate change, marine environments, fisheries, and/or aquaculture in the Pacific Islands region. We invite residents of the Pacific Islands region to submit entries. SPC is currently producing a book about the vulnerability of Pacific Island fisheries and aquaculture to climate change where winning photos will be featured. This contest aims to gather artistic expressions from across the Pacific Islands region. Participants are encouraged to submit their favorite shots captured with a phone, digital, or film camera, drone, or other photographic devices.
- Submissions are due on 31 May 2024 at [email protected] (midnight, Fiji time) and must have the subject line: PHOTO CONTEST CLIMATE CHANGE + the chosen category.
- Winning photographs will be announced at World Oceans Day on 8 June 2024, in Noumea, New Caledonia.
Who can submit?
Anyone living in the Pacific Islands region, specifically residents of the 22 Pacific Island countries and territories*, and Australia and New Zealand can submit entries.
Theme
Submissions must illustrate one or more of the themes of "Climate change, marine environments, fisheries, and/or aquaculture” in the Pacific Islands region. The focus should be on showcasing the impact, resilience, and solutions related to climate change within the context of the Pacific Ocean, habitats, fisheries and/or aquaculture.
Categories
There will be 3 categories: youth, amateur and professional.
Category 1: Youth (16 to 24 years old)
Category 2: Amateur photographers (25 years old and above)
Category 3: Professional photographers (anyone who has made income from selling a photograph)
All entries need to clearly identify your self-selected category in the subject line of your email submission.
Judging panel
The judging panel of five will include scientists, photographers, and Pacific Islanders with expertise in fisheries, aquaculture and climate change. Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, visual impact, and the ability to convey the theme of climate change, marine environments and fisheries/aquaculture in the Pacific region. Photos which emphasize the vulnerability of fisheries and aquaculture to climate change impacts are most likely to rate highly.
Prizes
There will be 3 categories: youth, amateur and professional. Prizes will be awarded to the top submission in each category, plus two honorable mentions.
First prize will be USD 1,000 worth of photography equipment per category, and winning photos will be featured on the cover page and/or prominent pages of this book. Winning and honorable mention photos will all receive a certificate of award and be showcased in the SPC newsletter and social media posts. Photos receiving an honorable mention may also feature in SPC publications.
Rules for participation
- Photograph content: Photographs should depict real and authentic moments, events, or scenes that highlight the connection between nature and people; climate change and marine environments/fisheries/aquaculture. This could include images of marine and coastal habitats, marine life, fishing communities, sustainable fisheries practices, or the effects of climate change on the region’s marine ecosystems and/or fisheries and aquaculture. Photos which emphasize the vulnerability of fisheries and aquaculture to climate change impacts are most likely to rate highly. Photos of people who are readily recognizable should have their permission to be entered into the contest. Photos that violate or infringe upon another person's rights, including but not limited to copyright, are not eligible.
- Submission Format: All entries must be submitted in digital format (.jpeg, .jpg, .tiff, or .png). High-resolution images (minimum size at least 3500 on the longest side with 300 dpi resolution) are preferred, and participants can submit up to three photographs each.
- Originality: Submissions must be the original work of the participant. Any form of plagiarism or use of others' work without proper attribution will result in disqualification. No stock images are allowed.
- Submissions should be no larger than 10MB and sent to [email protected] with the subject of: PHOTO CONTEST CLIMATE CHANGE + the chosen category.
- Photo editing: Minor adjustments for color correction and cropping are allowed. However, heavy editing or manipulation that distorts the reality of the scene, adds or subtracts objects is not permitted.
- Photo capturing: Photos can be taken on a phone, digital or film camera, drone, or other photography device. No AI-generated pictures are to be submitted.
- Caption: Each photograph must be accompanied by a brief caption (maximum 50 words) explaining the context and significance of the image in relation to climate change and fisheries.
- Language: All captions and related communication should be in English or French.
- Photo Usage: The winning pictures will be featured in an upcoming SPC book, and the names of the winners will appear in the publication. Winners will be contacted to complete the SPC copyright form.
- Submission Deadline: Entries must be submitted by May 31rst, at midnight (Fiji time).
- SPC staff and members of their immediate families, and SPC Contractors and other scientists directly associated with the book project are not eligible to enter this contest.
* American Samoa, Cook Islands, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Island, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.
