MARE Competition 2025
We present the winning images of the sixth edition of MARE competition. Between 1 July and 15 September 2025, digital photographs related to the Balearic Sea were submitted in three participant profiles: Expert Adults, Amateur Adults and Young Adults.
Llums i ombres
Xavier Mas Ferrà
First prize · MARE Animalia
En la oscuridad.
Vicente Planells Ramon
Accesit · MARE Animalia
Sea angel
Vicente Seco Hanselaar
Accesit · MARE Animalia
Posidonia
Xavier Mas Ferrà
First prize · MARE Botanica
Bosques de esperanza
Pedro Riera Llompart
Accesit · MARE Botanica
Un solo sol, una sola célula
Pedro Riera Llompart
Accesit · MARE Botanica
Anillos en el rayo de sol
Victor de Valles Ibañez
First prize · MARE Sapiens
Dos mundos
Alex Postigo
Accesit · MARE Sapiens
Jugando con la perspectiva
Victor de Valles Ibañez
Accesit · MARE Sapiens
Atrapada
Alex Postigo
First prize · MARE Denuntiare
El monstre
Vicent Guasch Juan
Accesit · MARE Denuntiare
Cangrejo azul
Xavier Mas Ferrà
Accesit · MARE Denuntiare
Ballant amb polps
Ignacio Ivars Ivars
First prize · MARE Nostrum
Sea Turtles: Dangerous Journey of the Ancient Sailors
Şebnem Coşkun
Accesit · MARE Nostrum
Descendencia
Toni Bertran
Accesit · MARE Nostrum
Summary
In MARE 2025 COMPETITION, 1,393 photographs were submitted, in the Balearic and Mediterranean Sea. The jury selected 26 winning photographs according to criteria of photographic quality, originality, faithful representation of reality and the ability to connect with the general public.
· Three participation profiles: YOUTH, AMATEUR, and EXPERTS.
· Six categories: 1. MARE Animalia; 2. MARE Botanica; 3. MARE Sapiens; 4. MARE Denuntiare; 5. MARE Nostrum and 6.MARE POPULARIS (People’s choice award).
· Two Honourable Mentions: 1. Honourable Mention for Marine Protected Areas; 2. Honourable Mention Water Quality.
26 prizes distributed for a total of €10,000 - cash prizes for Adult participants and underwater equipment for Young participants.
MARE 25 AWARDS CEREMONY
The Awards Ceremony of the 6th edition of MARE was presented by Míriam García. The event took place on 14 November 2025 at CaixaForum Palma and was broadcast live on IB3, sharing with the whole community the winning images that celebrate the beauty and fragility of the Balearic Sea.
Jury
Pep Bonet
Pep Bonet (Mallorca, 1974) is co-founder of NOOR Images and ambassador of Nikon Europe. Pep is an award-winning Director of Photography and photographer who has traveled capturing profound moments that represent the imbalanced world we live in. His longer-term projects focus on African issues, with his best-known project being “Faith in Chaos,” a photo essay on the aftermath of the war in Sierra Leone. He is also known for his reporting on the rock 'n roll band Motörhead. Pep spent many years (2008-2015) on tour with Lemmy Kilmister, the band's legendary singer, and created a rare visual document of the many hours spent on tour with Motörhead.
Debora Morrison
Debora Morrison has worked with marine life for the last 37 years. In order to gain experience and acquire firsthand knowledge she traveled, attended and presented distinct projects, ideas and expositions at a local, national, european and international level. Debora’s background also includes the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals, focusing mainly cetaceans, sea turtles and sharks. She currently works at the Palma Aquarium Foundation and whose work focuses on creating and carrying out dissemination campaigns, conservation projects for vulnerable species, environmental education actions and participation programs with different entities that work on the protection and conservation of the marine ecosystems.
Rafael Fernández Caballero
Young photographer who combines creativity and conservation. Recently awarded Underwater Photographer of the Year for 2022. Storyteller of National Geographic Spain magazine on its 25th anniversary. He takes advantage of photography as a tool to disseminate problems that the oceans experience. Rafael Fernandez travel the immersed world from sea to sea. And although he has seen them all, and despite the mistreatment she is given, she continues to fascinate the Mediterranean above all. One of Rafael Fernández Caballero's motivations is to take advantage of photography as a tool to disseminate problems that the oceans experience. He was named storyteller of National Geographic Spain magazine on its 25th anniversary. At only 28 years old, he has had a very extensive career of first-rate international awards and recognitions, including the European Champion and the World Champion of Photography Issued by CMAS and the appointment as Underwater Photographer of the Year in 2022.
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