Winner

Nicole Sroba, Hooked
Aquatic Reserve: North Harbour (Sydney)

Photographer's statement: Grey nurse sharks are a critically endangered species along the East Coast of Australia. Despite the protections in place, many individuals like the one captured in this image still suffer from fishing pressures and swim dragging hooks and lines.

Judges' statement: This year’s theme – Wonder: sustaining what sustains us – is powerfully reflected in this image from North Harbour Aquatic Reserve. A vulnerable grey nurse shark glides through shafts of light, trailing fishing lines. Framed by pylons, the composition evokes both beauty and concern.

Winner

Peter Hutchins, The Chase
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement: In Cabbage Tree Bay, a new turtle encountered Basil, the resident turtle. They playfully chased each other through the water. At one point, they touched fins, a fleeting, comical, and endearing moment that captured the beauty of turtle companionship beneath the waves.

Runner-up

Taj Burrows, Face Off
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Highly Commended

Xina Hudson, Living Shield
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Winner

David Bellas, Cuttlefish Pursuit
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement: This image shows a cuttlefish in pursuit of another while diving and ducking through the rocks and crevices at Cabbage Tree Bay. They had danced around each other for sometime before making great efforts to get distance between them.

Runner-up

Mark Endres, Ghost Fleet
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Highly Commended

Strath Clarke, Cruising
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Winner

David Bellas, Reaching Out
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement: Face to face with a curious cuttlefish. This one was very interested in the other strange visitors to the bay. Imagine what the cuttlefish is thinking in this interaction?

Runner-up

Peter Hutchins, Wings of Resilience
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Highly Commended

Alana Abercrombie, Cuttlefish Paparazzi
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Winner

Alexander Gunter, Wandering Sea Anemone
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement: Slowly crawling along the bottom of the sea floor, I found this Wandering Sea Anemone. A cluster of baked bean shaped sacks cover its surface with the brightest colours. It's not until you get very close that you see the incredible textures on its surface.

Runner-up

Teya McEwan, Camouflage with a Grin
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Highly Commended

Taj Burrows, The Waiting Game
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Winner

Nicole Sroba, Hooked
Aquatic Reserve: North Harbour (Sydney)

Photographer's statement: Grey nurse sharks are a critically endangered species along the East Coast of Australia. Despite the protections in place, many individuals like the one captured in this image still suffer from fishing pressures and swim dragging hooks and lines.

Runner-Up

Lesley Spencer, Wondrous Weedy Wanderings
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Highly Commended

Eddy Price, One of These Things is Not Like the Others
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Winner

Emily Sonter, A Dazzling Display
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement: Peering down from above, I was mesmerised to see the contrasting colours of the Giant Cuttlefish. A clear indication that breeding season was in full swing.

Runner-Up

Raphael Hampartzoumian, Eye to Eye
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Highly Commended

Evelyn Christopher, Hide and Seek
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Winner

Xina Hudson, Living Shield
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement: Tiny fish shelter among the tentacles of a jellyfish -a pulsing island of safety in the open sea. Glimpsing the quiet wonder of marine life sustaining itself, serves as a reminder that even the smallest exchanges uphold the balance that sustains us all.