The Jury has selected the most representative photographs of the first edition of the photo contest of LIFE A-MAR NATURA 2000, promoted by Triton Research that,

thanks to the synergy with the projects LIFE CONCEPTU MARIS and LIFE PINNA,

has obtained a large number of requests for participation with hundreds of interesting photographs.

Below introduction of the podium of this first edition 2023 of LIFE A_MAR NATURA 2000 PHOTO CONTEST:

Gabriella Motta wins in first place, with the amazing shot of the ocean sunfish Mola mola surprised at the moment when it is emerging from the waters of Pelagos, the Cetacean Sanctuary , about to eat a wonderful Velella velella, also called Saint Peter’s boat, whose bluish sail is clearly seen entering the mouth of the ocean sunfish.

The second place is by Elia Biasissi whose photo portrays the common monkfish Lophius piscatorius, in Capo Noli in the marine site Natura 2000 Fondali Noli – Berbeggi (Savona) in waters not too deep. Impossible not to appreciate the sophisticated camouflage of this predatory fish.

The third place goes to the three kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus, most likely a mother with chicks, a threatened bird that nests in the European coasts. The subjects were portrayed on the beaches of the marine site of Torre del Cerrano by Matteo Ferretti. From the image you can catch the attention of the author not to get too close and hold a low point of view, a non-invasive and respectful behavior towards the most sensitive fauna, which LIFE A-MAR hopes and promotes.

In this case it was not difficult to choose the first shot of the podium, despite hundreds of photos have been received, many of them made with remarkable instrumentation and technical skills. The jury composed by Francesco Tomasinelli of Triton Research, naturalist and photographer; Marcello Di Francesco, underwater photographer; Maria Villani responsible for projects and institutional relations Federparchi-Europarc Italia – project coordinator LIFE A-MAR; expert in Territorial Marketing and Communication and Giorgia Gaibani, LIPU, responsible for Natura 2000 and Defence of the territory, is easily agreed on the spectacular nature of the moment captured the first photo.

The first approach of the jury was to select photos that from a technical point of view met criteria of fair exposure and image sharpness. Secondly, priority has been given to the context of the competition launched by LIFE A-MAR NATURA 2000, a project that aims to increase knowledge of the marine and coastal sites of the European Natura 2000 network, and their naturalistic peculiarities to those who visit them (tourists, fishermen, inhabitants, boaters etc…) with the aim of stimulating a pro-active behavior to proper conservation and protection.

The jury has also chosen to publish two more photos off the podium that deserve to be published for their beauty and because they capture moments that are rarely found in nature: one is the photo by Alessandro Borsini of the coupling of two european cuttlefish Sepia officinalis in the waters of the Noli – Berbeggi Seabed (Savona).

The second mention goes to Gianluca Mosino with an image taken in the Marine Protected Area Capo Caccia (Alghero) that portrays a mediterranean jellyfish Cotylorhiza tuberculata inside, under the characteristic umbrella, you can see european horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus.

The cycle of photo competitions 2023 promoted by Triton Research Srl through the projects LIFE A-MAR NATURA 2000, LIFE CONCEPTU MARIS and LIFE PINNA ends with these wonderful photos. The photos will be exhibited in events where the projects themselves will be presented. Please refer to the vision of the sites to get more news about each project and to follow the social Facebook and Instagram for project updates.