Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center Invites UAE to Capture the Ocean Through Lens and Light

A new photography contest celebrates marine biodiversity across the Arabian region, offering participants of all ages the chance to document the underwater world and support conservation.

The ocean speaks in images as much as in silence. The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center, the region’s largest dedicated marine research, rescue and rehabilitation facility, has opened the One Ocean Photo Contest to photographers across the UAE, inviting creative practitioners to turn their vision towards the marine environment and its extraordinary inhabitants.

Open to UAE citizens and residents aged ten and above, the contest unfolds across four distinct categories, each offering a different lens through which to explore our connection to the sea. Young photographers aged ten to seventeen can enter the Youth category, while adults aged eighteen and above may compete in three further divisions: Marine Conservation Message, which seeks images that tell stories of sustainability and ocean protection; Marine Wildlife, celebrating the diverse species that inhabit our waters; and the Arabian Region Marine Environment category, which highlights the unique seascapes, landscapes and marine life specific to the Arabian region.

The judging process looks beyond technical perfection. Entries will be assessed on creativity, visual impact, and the strength of their narrative, perspective and emotional connection to the marine world. Twelve winners will emerge from the competition, their photographs exhibited at the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center for a year and featured in the Centre’s 2027 calendar. First and second place recipients will receive prizes and exclusive experiences, including VIP behind-the-scenes tours and special encounters with Malquot the Dugong.

The contest, held in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards, reflects the Research & Rescue Center’s commitment to advancing marine conservation through community engagement. As we reported in October, the Center has demonstrated this commitment through various community initiatives, drawing hundreds of participants to support vital marine habitat research. By encouraging the community to observe and share the ocean through their own creative perspective, the One Ocean Photo Contest aims to deepen public appreciation for marine biodiversity and the urgency of protecting it for future generations.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The contest embodies Abu Dhabi’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and community participation in conservation. By engaging residents and citizens across all age groups, the initiative strengthens the emirate’s relationship with its marine ecosystems and reinforces the importance of the Arabian Gulf as a living system worthy of protection and celebration.

For Abu Dhabi’s creative community, the contest offers a meaningful platform to channel artistic expression towards environmental advocacy. The resulting exhibition at the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center will create a public record of how the UAE’s photographers see and understand the marine world, enriching the cultural dialogue around ocean conservation.