Hope Spots

• Prize
  Silver in Nature/Underwater
• Photographer
  Samantha Schwann, United States

Healthy oceans are our most valuable natural resource, contributing significantly to the world's food supply, fresh oxygen, water, and commerce. Currently less than 7% of the ocean is under protection, a far cry from the 30% recommended by scientists to support the demands of 7.5 billion people.

These images form a portion of a body of work from a three year project documenting ecologically unique areas of the ocean critical to the health of the planet, known as Hope Spots. Each of these special locations have an enhanced need for protection.