Humpback Mother and Calf Win Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025

Alvaro Herrero, a Spanish photographer, won the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 for his photo ‘Radiant Bond’, which captures a mother humpback whale with her calf in French Polynesia. The image highlights the love and fragility of life in the ocean, showcasing the learning process of the young whale. The contest received over 6,750 entries from underwater photographers globally, demonstrating the beauty of marine life through various categories and emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts for humpback whales. Such recognition sheds light on the thriving populations of these majestic creatures as signs of hope for marine ecosystems.