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The Ocean Agency

@theoceanagency

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Creative communication nonprofit for ocean science & conservation.
Behind Chasing Coral (Netflix) • Underwater Street View (Google) • Ocean Image Bank

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Today is #WorldReefDay.

Almost 15 years ago, we took Google Street View underwater for the first time to document coral reefs around the world. Along the way, we witnessed some of the most significant bleaching events ever recorded, and shared the story on Netflix through Chasing Coral, then worked with partners to create @50reefs, a global plan to protect the reefs most likely to survive climate change.

Reefs have always been central to what we do at The Ocean Agency, and today’s the day to celebrate them.

📸 @richardvevers / The Ocean Agency taken in American Samoa by @theoceanagency

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2 months ago

Shark Week is almost here, and we’re excited to see imagery from our Shark Collection on the Ocean Image Bank appearing in stories around the world already.

Thanks to our incredible community of photographers, the Ocean Image Bank offers a growing collection of freely available shark images for journalists, educators, and conservation organizations to help tell amazing shark stories.

One of our latest favorites is the @bbc story on the remarkable Greenland shark, a species that can live for centuries and continues to surprise scientists. Read the full BBC story via the link in bio.

📸 @larsvonritterzahony / Ocean Image Bank taken in Greenland by @theoceanagency

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2 days ago

June was a big month for coral reefs. New research announced this month identified 165,922 km2 of coral reefs with the greatest potential to survive climate change.

It builds on our original @50reefs initiative, which became the global standard for targeting coral reef protection and restoration. It’s exciting to see it continue to guide these efforts and inspire further scientific studies to save coral reefs.

We’re proud to see 50 Reefs continue to play a key role in solving the coral reef crisis — helping inform decisions on where and how to protect the world’s most biodiverse and vulnerable ecosystem.

📸 @noemivisuals / Ocean Image Bank of Raja Ampat, a 50 Reefs site taken in Raja Ampat by @theoceanagency

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25 days ago

#SundaySpecies: Say hi to the Sea Snake! 🐍

These marine reptiles live in warm coastal waters from the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They breathe air through a single lung that extends most of the length of their body and can stay underwater for hours between breaths.

📷: Emilie Ledwidge (@emilieunderwaterphotography) via Ocean Image Bank, an #OceanDecade Contribution

The Ocean Image Bank, created by @theoceanagency, brings together thousands of open-access ocean imagery to ensure ocean scientists, conservationists, educators, and the media possess the visuals necessary to engage the public and encourage support. by @theoceanagency

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a month ago

The ocean couldn’t be more important. It doesn’t just make life on Earth possible — it allows it to thrive.

Today is #WorldOceansDay. It also marks the launch of the 3rd World Ocean Assessment, led by @undoalos. Published every five years, it is a key review of the state of our ocean and what we need to do to ensure a healthy ocean for future generations.

It’s a report that affects everyone on our ocean planet, and one everyone should know about.

📸 @bethbarklage / Ocean Image Bank by @theoceanagency

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2 months ago

🌊 The future of our ocean is deeply connected to the future of the cryosphere.

From glaciers and ice sheets to sea ice and permafrost, the cryosphere helps regulate our planet’s climate and ocean systems. As these frozen environments change rapidly, the consequences are felt across the globe, from rising sea levels and shifting marine ecosystems to increased risks for coastal communities.

That is why UNESCO is leading the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Science through its Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), bringing together scientists, governments and communities to improve understanding of cryosphere change and support informed action.

🌍 As we approach #WorldOceansDay, let’s be reminded that protecting the ocean starts with understanding the systems that sustain it.

Images from the new Polar Ocean Image Collection on the Ocean Image Bank curated by @theoceanagency .

©️ Lasse Kyed/Ocean Image Bank
©️ James Ferrara/Ocean Image Bank
©️ Vivek Mehra/Ocean Image Bank
©️ Morgane Lanco, Studio PONANT/Ocean Image Bank
©️ Mike Louagie/Ocean Image Bank
©️ Lars von Ritter Zahony/Ocean Image Bank
©️ Mike Louagie/Ocean Image Bank
©️ James Ferrara/Ocean Image Bank
©️ Mike Louagie/Ocean Image Bank by @theoceanagency

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2 months ago

Today’s the day! Photographers, this is your last chance to submit your best mangrove images to the 2026 Mangrove Photography Awards.

We’ve always had a soft spot for mangroves, so we’re excited to partner with @mangroveactionproject again this year. We’re proud to help bring a selection of winning images to the Ocean Image Bank, where they can support ocean storytelling, education, and conservation worldwide.

Don’t wait — entries close tonight at 11:59pm PST.
@mangrovephotographyawards

📸 Kim Cuong Nguyen Trang, Irsam Soetarto, @sebasmc_f, @just_ad, @jayantaguha_wildlife / Mangrove Photography Awards / Ocean Image Bank by @theoceanagency

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2 months ago

Last chance to share your best mangrove image! Tomorrow is the final day to enter the Mangrove Photography Awards.

Whether you’ve captured the tangled roots, coastal wildlife, or the people and communities connected to them, there’s still time to enter.

We’re excited to partner with @mangroveactionproject again this year, bringing a selection of winning images to the Ocean Image Bank for the @unoceandecade, where they’ll be freely available to support ocean storytelling, education, science and conservation.

Enter today! @mangrovephotographyawards

📸 @alexmustard1, @santanu_shantu, @chrisrohner, @lorenzomittiga, @you_see_with_uc / Mangrove Photography Awards / Ocean Image Bank by @theoceanagency

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2 months ago

🤔 Does photography actually make a difference?

Fair question. And yes.

We know because we’ve watched it happen, again and again.

📸 Images from the Mangrove Photography Awards have led to major news coverage of the realities they unveiled - from biodiversity loss to pollution.

📱Millions of social media users have also discovered the beauty and fragility of these ecosystems through these images - in no small part thanks to our partnership with @TheOceanAgency

🖼️ These photos have been displayed at international conservation conferences and shown in policy events, where decisions about the future of these ecosystems are made.

🏫 They’ve also shown up in classrooms, introducing the next generation to these extraordinary ecosystems.

And winning has also made a major difference in the professional trajectory and recognition of many of our awardees.

So never doubt the power of your images.

☝️ Enter today via the link in bio, and we’ll help bring them where they are most needed.
🗓️ Submissions close June 1

Image credits:
“The Reigers Heron and the snappers” by @lorenzomittiga
“Dragon Creek” by Chirs Kirby
“Inspecting the Fish Trap” by Ho Sy Long
“Snapper hunting silver fish” by @lorenzomittiga

#MangrovePhotographyAwards #ConservationPhotography #MangrovesMatter #NatureStorytelling #MPA26 by @theoceanagency

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2 months ago

Calling all photographers! There’s just one week left to enter the 2026 Mangrove Photography Awards and share the stories and wild beauty of these magical trees.

We’re excited to partner with @mangroveactionproject again this year to make a selection of winning entries available on the Ocean Image Bank.

Entries are free and open until June 1 at 11:59 pm GMT for six categories: Wildlife, Underwater, Landscape, People, Threats and Conservation Stories.

Head to @mangrovephotographyawards to learn more and enter.

📸 @matt_curnock / Ocean Image Bank taken in Papua New Guinea by @theoceanagency

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2 months ago

There’s fine-art quality to award-winning Lars von Ritter Zahony’s (@larsvonritterzahony) work that sets it apart.

Lars has spent most of his life either on or in the water. His photography reflects years spent sailing, diving and exploring remote parts of the ocean, always with a camera nearby. Today he uses underwater photography to promote marine conservation and protection.

We’re thrilled to continue working with Lars as a Contributing Photographer to the Polar Ocean Image Collection on the Ocean Image Bank, supporting the @unoceandecade and the UN Ice Decade.

Explore more of Lars’ work at OceanImageBank.org

📸 @larsvonritterzahony / Ocean Image Bank by @theoceanagency

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2 months ago

James Ferrara (@jferraragallery) has a real talent for putting you face-to-face with marine life.

While working as a firefighter and paramedic in Florida, James taught himself underwater photography during shark-diving trips with friends. Since then, he’s won multiple awards for his imagery, including from his time in Antarctica documenting the polar ocean at its wildest.

We’re thrilled to welcome James as a Contributing Photographer to the Polar Ocean Image Collection on the Ocean Image Bank, supporting the @unoceandecade and the UN Ice Decade.

Explore more of James’ work at OceanImageBank.org

📸 @jferraragallery / Ocean Image Bank by @theoceanagency

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