Oceans cover 71 per cent of Earth spanning 361 million square kilometres of water.This vast, often unseen expanse is celebrated every year by a worldwide photography competition that also highlights the urgent need to protect the world's oceans.The finalists for the 2026 Ocean Photographer of the Year competition have been revealed, showcasing the full spectrum of ocean life, from breathtaking encounters to sobering evidence of environmental damage.Stand-out entries include an image showing a pair of orcas working in tandem to carry away a humpback whale calf, and a photo of a pygmy seahorse that is no larger than a grain of rice.Will Harrison, the founder and director of the annual contest, said the photographs "don't just capture what's beneath the surface; they surface the stories our planet most needs us to hear".The winners will be announced on September 11.Here is a look at some of the finalists in their respective categories.