#getintoyoursanctuary

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🥁 Drum roll, please! 🥁

We would like to introduce you to the winners of the 2023 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest.

Sanctuary Life

1st: Douglas Hoffman in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

2nd: Jean Zuo in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

3rd: Douglas Croft in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

Sanctuary Recreation

1st: Chuck Graham in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

2nd: Daniel Eidsmoe in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

3rd: Bryan Dort in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Sanctuary Views

1st: Bruce Sudweeks in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

2nd: Martin McClure in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

3rd: Courtney Stanford in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

Sanctuaries at Home

1st: Laurie Santoro

2nd: Tina Morrison

3rd: Jenn Fletcher

Sanctuaries Around the World

1st: María Rodríguez-Salinas

2nd: Lawrence Alex Wu

3rd: Kayvon Malek

Congratulations to all the outstanding photographers who entered our 2023 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest. Don’t forget to check out the winners and honorable mentions on our results page:

2023 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest Results

This year, more than 850 photographs were submitted to the Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest! Here, you can find the winning entries and

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we feature each winner in our #EarthIsBlue campaign!

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Sharks: mindless killers? 🦈

Think again! Sharks are more than their scary reputation and play important roles in sanctuary habitats from coral reefs to the deep seas. As predators, sharks help keep food webs in balance.

Your National Marine Sanctuary System is home to a variety of amazing sharks. Learn more about them in the links below.

Learn about one of the ocean’s top predators—sharks—and their critical role in maintaining the marine ecosystem. This collection features NO

From the white sharks that silently patrol the Greater Farallones to the graceful hammerheads that congregate at the Flower Garden Banks, sh

Sharks have been around for a long, long time – they evolved before the dinosaurs did, and their time on Earth even predates trees! Over the

📸: Leighton Lum (2022 GIYS Photo Contest Honorable Mention) Have you taken any fin-tastic photos? Submit your sharky pics to our #GetIntoYourSanctuary Photo Contest: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/photo-contest.html

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Get ready, get set, Get Into Your Sanctuary!

Don't forget your camera! Our 2024 #GetIntoYourSanctuary Photo Contest opens today 📸

Submit your entries at https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/photo-contest.html.

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The memories of someone’s first paddle, fishing trip, reef dive, or marine life encounter may be enough to create a life-long relationship with the ocean.

Make your own memory during our #GetIntoYourSanctuary summer campaign.

These events are held annually during the first week of August. Join us during the week of August 2-8, 2021 for a variety of activities acro

📸: Bruce Sudweeks (2022 GIYS Photo Contest Submission)

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Yeah buoy!

Mooring buoys are a vital resource that help recreationists, anglers, and explorers, get into their sanctuary, while also promoting safe and respectful exploration of marine protected areas.

Learn more about how buoys support recreation in national marine sanctuaries by reading our latest web story:

Buoys Support Recreation in National Marine Sanctuaries

Mooring buoys casually float in our national marine sanctuaries, but beneath the water they require maintenance and monitoring from buoy tea

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Have you ever wondered how to capture amazing photographs of marine life? Are you interested in improving your photography skills or trying something new? Jesse Cancelmo is here to help.

Check out last year’s underwater photography webinar for tips and tricks for getting the perfect underwater shot, just in time to submit your photos to the #GetIntoYourSanctuary Photo Contest.

Have you ever wondered how to capture amazing photographs of marine life? Are you interested in improving your photography skills or trying

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Congratulations to the 3rd place Sanctuary Life winner of our photo contest, Douglas Croft, for capturing this action shot of two elephant seals fighting in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Each year between December and February, elephant seals come to shore to breed. Males – like the two seen here – arrive first and fight for territory on the beach in quick, aggressive battles. Though males may experience minor injury as a result of these battles, severe harm or lasting damage rarely occur.

Following establishment of territories, females arrive and the mating season ensues. Each pregnant female then gives birth to a single pup, who she’ll nurse for about a month before returning to sea. Our National Marine Sanctuary System really is full of life!

Check out the rest of the winning images:

2023 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest Results

This year, more than 850 photographs were submitted to the Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest! Here, you can find the winning entries and

For their safety and yours, remember to give wildlife plenty of space. Be observant of your surroundings- you don't want to miss the action! View our wildlife viewing guidelines: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/wildlife-viewing/

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Need some tips for getting the perfect underwater shot? We’ve got you covered!

Always let the underwater life you encounter dictate the interactions. Never chase or feed wildlife. You are in their home, and we are just spectators. There is nothing more humbling than seeing a shark or sea lion glide effortlessly underwater, and there is nothing more exciting than capturing these animals on camera and bringing that footage home to share that experience. When you have all of your equipment, diving, and camera dialed in and you slow down and let the action come to you, that is when you capture magic in your photos and videos. Who knows, maybe your photograph or video will inspire someone to want to help protect these amazing creatures and places that call the underwater world home.

Tips for Getting the Perfect Shot: Get Into Your Sanctuary!

Show the world what the ocean and Great Lakes mean to you by submitting photos to the Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest. Here are some t

We look forward to seeing your incredible photos above and below the waters of your National Marine Sanctuary System during this year’s Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest! Our contest closes TOMORROW (Monday, September 4, 2023). Submit your entries now!

In celebration of national Get Into Your Sanctuary activities, NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries holds a photo contest annually f

🎥: Nick Zachar/NOAA