Vietnamese photographer wins prize at the International Competition "Ocean Photography 2024"

(NADS) - Photographer Nguyen Ngoc Thien's photo of a boat pulling an anchovy net at Hon Yen, Tuy An district, Tuy Hoa city, Phu Yen province was honored with the 3rd prize at the 2024 Ocean Photography Contest.

The Ocean Photographer of the Year is an annual photography award organized by Oceanographic Magazine. Through photographic works on topics related to nature and marine ecosystems, readers can access the stories behind the ecological and cultural diversity in different seas around the world as well as the difficult situation of marine pollution, thereby raising people's awareness of environmental protection and biodiversity.

In an interview with Oceanographic Magazine, photographer Nguyen Ngoc Thien expressed his joy and surprise at winning third place overall. "I have been a finalist for the Ocean Photographer of the Year Contest many times before but have never made it into the Top 3. Winning this award is truly a milestone in my photography career," Thien shared.

The author of "Hon Yen" also said that his connection with the ocean also comes from his family's tradition of fishing and making fish sauce. "Like many fishing families in Central Vietnam, my father's family has a long tradition of fermenting anchovies to produce traditional fish sauce. All my life I have been very familiar with the taste of this fish sauce, which is considered a culinary symbol of my hometown. The main ingredient, anchovies, is often caught during my grandfather's fishing trips, making this tradition even more special."

“This photo of a fishing boat and the process of pulling anchovies brings back many memories of my childhood and my family’s traditional occupation. It reminds me of my roots and the importance of this small but meaningful job to our hometown’s identity. The close connection between the sea, fish and traditional fish sauce making is deeply embedded in my family’s history, making this photo not only a visual moment but also a heartfelt tribute to the heritage of our local community.”

This year's overall First Prize went to Spanish photographer Rafael Fernandez Caballero, who captured the moment a Bryde's whale opened its mouth to devour hundreds of sardines on a beach in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. Accordingly, the image of an osprey - one of the largest seabirds in British waters - diving into the water at high speed to catch its prey, taken by Taiwanese female photographer Jade Hoksbergen, also won Second Prize.