Armed with just a compact camera, housing, and a light, a diver returned to the same spot multiple times. Finally, a crab emerged in a “rare moment of maternal care,” snagging major honors

Two remarkable images of mothers caring for their young were honored at the 2026 Ocean Photographer of the Year Awards (Ocean POTY). Both scenes, captured by underwater photographer Andrea Michelutti in Anilao, Philippines, demonstrated the devotion of marine species to their offspring.

The first image showcased a harlequin crab diligently tending her cluster of orange eggs in a tubular sponge. Michelutti achieved this remarkable shot over multiple dives, using a compact Sony RX100 VII camera with a 24-200mm lens. He employed a specialized snoot light to isolate the crab from the bustling reef, highlighting the intimate moment in the sponge. Additionally, he used the snoot light to illuminate the shrimp's eggs in a vivid glow, focusing on the delicate embryo within.

Michelutti's second image depicted a shrimp carrying her clutch of eggs within coral branches, further emphasizing the protective nature of mothers in the underwater world. The judges praised these images, with the shrimp's portrait securing second place in the "The Ocean Unseen: Hidden Worlds" category. The harlequin crab's image was a finalist in the same category.

While these two images competed for recognition, another photograph captured the overall title of Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026. Julien Anton's image of a father seahorse with his offspring was awarded the prestigious title.