The Tribune

SPECTACULAR images of a Great hammerhead in Bimini and an Oceanic white tip shark near Cat Island were among the winners of the University of Miami’s Annual Underwater Photography Contest.

Laura Rock, from Florida, got second place in the Student Entry for her picture of the hammerhead, while Austin Gallagher, also of Florida, got the Student Entry third place for his picture of the shark.

Laura also won Best Student Entry for her picture of a Goliath grouper during the annual spawning event in Jupiter, Florida.

Best Overall picture went to Kyle McBurnie, from California, for his photo of a Harbor seal in a kelp forest at Cortes bank near San Diego.

More than 650 underwater images were submitted for the contest which is hosted by the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science.

The ‘Best Overall’ photograph was submitted under the Wide Angle category. The ‘Best Overall’ prize is a trip on Blackbeard’s Cruises departing from Freeport.

A panel of experts, including photographer and UM lecturer Myron Wang, underwater photographer Nicole Wang and Rosenstiel School Marine Biology & Fisheries Scientist Dr Jiangang Luo judged the photos which came from 23 countries.

Awards were given in three categories, Macro, Fish or Marine Animal Portrait, Wide Angle, and Best Overall submission.

The school also recognised the Best UM Student Photo, which was of the Goliath grouper.

The contest is held annually, and is open to all amateur photographers who earn no more than 20 per cent of their income from their photography.