Monaco’s coastal waters played host this weekend to the 21st Monaco National Underwater Photography Competition, organised by the Monaco Underwater Exploration Club (CESMM), drawing 24 participants across 12 teams for one of the Principality’s most anticipated events for diving and photography enthusiasts.

Favourable diving conditions and clear weather set the stage for a strong turnout, giving participants the best possible chance to search out, observe and capture the diversity of marine life along Monaco’s seabed.

Beyond the competitive element, the event carries a consistent underlying purpose each year: showcasing the richness of the world’s oceans to build greater public awareness of the need to protect them. Through the participants’ photography, the competition draws attention to the variety of marine species living in Monegasque waters and the beauty of an underwater world that remains largely hidden from view.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco on Sunday, CESMM President Roger Mullot expressed pride in watching the event continue to grow with each edition, pointing to a community of increasingly committed participants. He said the goal remained bringing people together around shared values through an event that highlights the beauty and fragility of the seabed, thanking everyone who contributes to the competition’s continued success.

The ceremony was attended by Secretary of State Yvette Lambin-Berti, National Council President Thomas Brezzo, and Government Counsellor and Minister of the Interior Lionel Beffre, alongside Marjorie Crovetto and Jacques Pastor.

Competitors were split across two categories, interchangeable and non-interchangeable lenses, with each team submitting a series of four photographs built around specific themes: fish, macro photography, atmosphere, and shells and crustaceans.

In the interchangeable lenses category, Sébastien Ameeuw and Delphine Fraysse took top honours, while Philippe Lecomte and Christine Cazal won the non-interchangeable lenses category. A series of themed special prizes were also awarded across both categories combined, with Ameeuw and Fraysse recognised for both the fish and macro themes, Lecomte and Cazal for atmosphere, Véronique Wurmli-Baudot and Yvan Cwiek for the compulsory shells and crustaceans theme, and Jean-Marc Molimard and Brigitte Rupp receiving the Special Jury Prize. The Honorary Guest’s Prize, awarded personally by Secretary of State Yvette Lambin-Berti, went to Béatrice Landreau and Christophe Mouton.

The weekend also featured the 13th edition of the “Regards sous la mer” junior competition, split into two age categories: “Jellyfish” for children aged 8 to 11, and “Seahorse” for young people aged 12 to 17, with each participant submitting three photographs taken over the summer in Mediterranean waters. Tia Rizza won the Jellyfish category and also received the Jury’s Special Mention, while Charlène Barois took first place in the Seahorse category and was additionally awarded the Honorary Guest’s Prize.

Organisers have already confirmed the 22nd edition of the competition will return next year.