Mangrove photography awards 2026 – in pictures
The Mangrove Action Project recently announced the winners of its 12th annual photography competition. The contest drew 5,258 entries from photographers across 87 countries. These images highlight the ecological significance of mangrove forests while documenting the threats these coastal environments face today.
The top prize went to Gaurav Patil from India for his image showing a discarded fishing net trapped in mangroves. The photographer used a 13-second ultraviolet exposure to capture the glowing synthetic material. This serves as a stark visual representation of ghost gear pollution on the Indian coast, a problem that often stays hidden beneath the tide.
Other entries focus on the diverse wildlife that depends on these forests. High-profile selections include mudskippers in the Sundarbans, a young green turtle in the Bahamas, and jungle cat kittens in India. These pictures capture rare moments in ecosystems that sit at the intersection of land and sea.
Some photographers documented the human impact on these landscapes. Entries from Indonesia and India show residents planting seedlings against rising tides or protesting industrial developments that threaten local shores. These galleries serve as a record of both the fragility of mangrove forests and the efforts of those working to protect them.
The complete collection of winners and runners-up is now public. Each piece offers a look at a unique corner of the planet that many people never see in person. The competition continues to draw attention to the role of mangroves in carbon storage and storm protection for coastal communities.