NOAA and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s majestic humpback whales, dramatic coastline, and coral reef ecosystems shine. “Get Into Your Sanctuary” Photo Contest. The award-winning photo is National Marine Sanctuary Systemis more than 629,000 square miles and includes 17 National Marine Sanctuaries and the Papahanaumokuakea and Rose Atoll Marine National Monuments.
Freediving into the Akuru pod at the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in the Hawaiian Islands. Sanctuary Recreation, 2nd Place Credit: Christian Kreuk
Winners were nominated across five categories: ‘Sanctuary View’, ‘Sanctuary Life’, ‘Sanctuary Recreation’, ‘Sanctuary at Home’ and ‘Sanctuary Around the World’.
Sunset at Rialto Beach in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Sanctuary Views, 2nd place Credit: Elliot GilfixSanta Cruz Island’s Potato Harbor is one of the few places in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary where you can spend the night out of the wind. Still, wind and swell creep into our little anchorage under the setting sun. Sanctuary Views, Third Place Credit: Dustin HarrisCamp under the stars in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Sanctuary Recreation, 1st Place Credit: Daniel Ismo McWay Falls in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Sanctuary Views, First Place Credit: Peter ReynoldThe Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a sea-dependent bird that spends most of its life in the open ocean. The rich waters of Canada’s North Atlantic Ocean surrounding Newfoundland provide prime habitat for these beloved seabirds. Sanctuaries around the world, 2nd place Credit: Carolyn CopperMale seahorses (Hippocampus erectus), like this one from Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach, Florida, receive eggs from females, fertilize them in a pouch, and carry them until they are ready to hatch. 3rd place protected area in the world Credit: Tamara ChristianA humpback whale (Megaptera novaengliae) dives at sunset in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This photo was taken from a safe distance using a telephoto lens. Sanctuary Life, Third Place Credit: Kaylin DeYoungArrow crabs (Stenorhynchus seticornis) sit in front of Caribbean long-spine sea urchins (Diadema antillarum) in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Sanctuary Life, 1st Place Credit: Gabriel JensenA giant octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) walks on a deep cold-water reef in Cordelbank National Marine Sanctuary. Sanctuary Life 2nd place Credit: Robert LeeFlying a kite on the beach near Palm Coast, Florida. Sanctuaries at Home, 2nd place Credit: Daniel IsmoA green sea turtle (Chelonia) emerges for air in the shallow waters of Playa Punta Colora, San Cristobal Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. Sanctuaries around the world, finalists Credit: Dan Shipp Split coastline and underwater view of the coral reef ecosystem around Fakarava Atoll in French Polynesia. First Place, your home sanctuary Credit: Justin Wallace
Win the Holidays with PopSci’s Gift Guide
Anyone shopping? The PopSci team’s holiday gift recommendations mean you don’t have to buy another gift card at the last minute.
