Photo Credit: Luciano Morales Corinaldi, Sina Ritter and Jake Wilton.
A photo of a leopard seal with its jaw wide open has taken the top award in the Underwater Awards Australia 2025.
James Ferrara’s shot of a leopard seal in Antarctica won the top position in the International Waters category along with ‘Best in Show’. “Known for its mixture of curiosity and aggression, they are a dream theme for any underwater photographer,” says Ferrara.
“While these powerful predators often rested on the flow of ice to conserve energy after a large meal, I was lucky to spend time in water with this one. First, it was a deadlock, maintaining its distance, but as the encounter moved forward, it was rapidly opening. It was opening its teeth – although it was a clear performance! In. “
Other categories of winners are Vadim Belakhov (shark), Neel Vincent (Protection), Talia Greece (Sydney), Marsia Ryderor (Australian), Jake Wilton (Portfolio), Lussiano Morales CorinalDesi (smartphone/action came), Emojen Mannis (Strict TG), and Laura Gours (strict Tiji).
Overall, winner and winner of ‘International Waters’ category. , James Ferrara.Second place in the ‘International Waters’ category. A jellyfish, just three to four centimeters, is found in Japan. , Luke RummanThird place in the ‘International Waters’ category. A transported shrimp in Tulben’s black volcanic sand seabeds. , Marine renoltHonorable mention in the ‘International Waters’ category. Initial spring sexual intercourse. , Luke RummanHonorable mention in the ‘International Waters’ category. Three humpbacks. , Rowan dear
Shark
Winner of ‘Shark’ category. A port Jackson Shark. , Vadim belakhovSecond place in the ‘shark’ category. A ocean whitetip that ‘appeared out of blue.’ , Sina ritterThird place in ‘shark’ category. A thresher shark. , Megan Shia-GraffRespected mention in ‘shark’ category. An applet shark in the first light in a lagoon. , Gabriel guzmanRespected mention in ‘shark’ category. A tight pack batball is surrounded by gray refer shark. , Laura Gaurgas
Australian
Winner of ‘Australian’ category. A dwarf Mink in the Great Barrier Reef. , Marsia riderSecond place in the ‘Australian’ category. An entry of Reef Fish glides with a manta ray. , Laura GaurgasThird place in the ‘Australian’ category. Jal Lily was illuminated by Strobes at Creater Lake National Park, Queensland. , Andrew WatsonHonorable mention in the ‘Australian’ category. A fickle seal from the coast of New South Wales. Rowan dearHonorable mention in the ‘Australian’ category. A leafy sedragon, one of the ‘most royal creatures’ of the ocean. , Lewis Burnett
smart fone
Winner of ‘smartphone’ category. A pile of green turtle. , Luciano Morales CorinaldiSecond place in the ‘smartphone’ category. ‘Shaun the Sheep.’ , Scene ElliotThird place in the ‘smartphone’ category. A Mola Mola. , Marco LucianiHonorable mention in the ‘smartphone’ category. A fur seal of the Barranguba Monteg Island Nature Reserve. , Seleni wadilovHonorable mention in the ‘smartphone’ category. A green sea turtle in the Nillu Reef. Luciano Morales Corinaldi
Pruning winner
Jake Wilton won the ‘Portfolio’ category for his series of photographs taken on Nillu Reef, Australia.
Sydney
Winner of ‘Sydney’ category. A huge cutalfish shark point flows through the shallow of the Sydney. , Class GreeceSecond place in the ‘Sydney’ category. A pair of intercourse pygmy piptorse pair with visible egg transfer. , Daniel sleeveThird place in ‘Sydney’ category. Cleaner, a resident of a port Jackson Shark, an East Cleaner-Klingfish. , William GladstoneHonorable mention in ‘Sydney’ category. A Vedi Sedragon. , Daniel sleeveHonorable mention in ‘Sydney’ category. An eastern gobblegate with a clutch of fertilized eggs in his mouth. , Daniel sleeve
Protection
Winner of ‘Conservation’ category. This crocodile swallowed a plastic bottle. , Neil VincentSecond place in the ‘Protection’ category. A ‘Reef Tree’ installed by a non-profit in the island of Fitzroy. , Angelina pillarinosThird place in ‘Conservation’ category. A fish uses waste as a fleet. , PJ AristoronsHonorable mention in ‘Protection’ category. This seedragan was seriously injured by a fishing line and was slowly killed. , David baxterHonorable mention in ‘Protection’ category. A guitarfish cyclone struggles with a renunciation name badge in view of Alfred. , Andry Slonchak
All winners can be found on photo competition Website,
