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3rd place Conservation (Impact) Photographer of the Year

Claudio Moreno Madrid Australia

22°05'43.1"S 113°52'31.3"E

"This image represents one of the most profound moments of my life," says Moreno Madrid. "It was my first year in Exmouth, drawn by the stories about Ningaloo Reef. With just a kayak and an obsession with the ocean I explored the reef weekly. On this particular day, a friend and I went to Turquoise Bay, where we encountered this humpback whale, hopelessly entangled in fishing nets, chased by dozens of sharks. In a moment of desperation, knowing it was beyond us to help, I tried to document the situation. I hope this image turns tragedy into awareness, inspiring real change for our ocean."

BEHIND THE LENS

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025, CLAMOR10

Claudio Moreno Madrid Chile

ABOUT THE IMAGE

  • Freediving from a kayak
  • Late afternoon
  • Small swell
  • f/6.3, 1/1000s, ISO 800

Claudio Moreno Madrid, known as Coco, is a Chilean ocean photographer, freediver, and storyteller with a lifelong passion for the sea. Raised along Chile’s coastline, he discovered photography as a teenager and began using it to express his deep connection to nature. Despite financial hardships and pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering, Coco never let go of his dream. Over the past decade, he has traveled extensively, documenting marine life, surf culture, and conservation efforts around the world. Through his lens, Coco shares the beauty and fragility of the ocean, inspiring others to protect the natural world he holds so dear.