Thirty-four divers participated in the 13th edition of the Blue Dolphin of Malta International Underwater Photography Competition, which was organised last month by the Federation of Underwater Activities Malta (FUAM) with the assistance of the Gozo Ministry.
Thirty of them travelled from Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Hungary and Romania to take part specifically in the competition and to enjoy the scuba diving sites around Gozo and Comino. A panel of judges from the UK and Malta judged the photographs.
A side competition, titled Safari Photo Fish Hunting, was also held in collaboration with Italian and Spanish federation officials as a test prior to presenting the sport for formal adoption as a discipline under the CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques) Visual Commission.
Top spotter identified 42 different fish species
The divers took photos at the Blue Hole and the new Azure Reef (the reef formed in March 2017 after the collapse of the Azure Window) and the Inland Sea at Dwejra. Dives were also held at Comino Lantern Point and at the P31 wreck behind the Blue Lagoon.
The BDOM competition’s aim is to bring together local and international underwater photographers to compete to-gether for the best set of photos in three categories: ambient (wide angle photography), macro (non-fish photography) and macro (fish) photography.
The safari competition’s aim was for photographers to capture as many different fish species as possible. The top spotter identified 42 different fish species.
An award ceremony was held at a hotel in Marsalforn, during which prizes were presented to the photographers.
The awards were presented by Esther Bajada on behalf of Eco-Gozo (Gozo Ministry), FUAM president Elayne Cutajar, Malta Olympic Committee secretary Joe Cassar and representatives from other sponsors.
More information and a full list of winners can be found at www.bluedolphinofmalta.org.mt.
The top awards
Best photo
Jean Raphael Tordoir (France)
Rui Bernardo (Portugal)
Antonio Palermo (Italy)
Best average mark – seahorse class
Antonio Palermo (Italy)
Rui Bernardo (Portugal)
Alfio Scuderi (Italy)
Best average mark – nudibranch class
Rita Rinaldi (Italy)
Raffaella Spagnolello (Italy)
Loredana Iuranello (Italy)