In line with the activities leading to the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2009, HP and Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asian (PEMSEA) jointly launch the East Asian region-wide Photo Contest that started last July 15, 2008. The competition centers on the theme “The Coast, The Ocean, My Community.”

The photo tilt will emphasize the importance of turning knowledge and concern about the coastal and marine environment into on-the-ground actions. It aims to generate awareness on local and national ocean, coastal, and environment-related initiatives of each country and to increase participation of the communities in these activities.

Competition mechanics

The contest has three categories (Youth, Hobbyist and Professional) and is open to national of the East Asian region. The photographs must demonstrate local action/implementations and good practices in sustainable coastal and ocean protection, development and management. These can show either local or national initiatives that address natural and man-made hazard prevention and management; habitat protection, restoration and management; water use and supply management; food security and livelihood management; and pollution reduction and waster management.

Photo must be high quality prints or digital files and can be in color or black and with. There is no limit on the number of entries that each participant can send in. However, entries should not have been previously published, printed or sold commercially, displayed or won any prize or distinction in other competitions. The entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria: relevance to the theme, composition/creativity and technical quality.

The contest consists of two rounds of evaluation. The initial screening will be conducted by the PEMSEA National Focal Points who will choose the top 3 entries. The country finalist will then move on to the final round of judging and compete for the grand prize. One grand prize winner will be chosen for each category (Youth, Hobbyist, and Professional), and each of the three grand prize winners will receive a HP F4185 Printer and a complimentary registration to attend the 2009 EAS Congress in Manila. A special award will also be given to the Online Favorite that will be chosen through online voting.

Deadline for submission of entries was on December 31, 2008. But good news to those who did not send yet their entries. The deadline for submission of entries has been extended to 28 Feb 2009. Please continue to send entries and encourage your friends, network to participate in the contest.

For more details and contest rules, email congress@pemsea.org or visit www.pemsea.org/eas-congress.