Photographers of any age, both amateur and professional, may enter. Photographers must be residents of the United States or Puerto Rico.

We are seeking Florida coral reef images that show vibrant marine life and colors.
Images must include all of the following: a Florida reef scene, live corals and marine life.

Prohibited images include, but are not limited to: Nudity/sexuality, exploitation or harassment of animals or marine life, and illegal behavior (e.g., touching corals).

Each image that includes identifiable subjects (people) must be accompanied by a separate, signed Model Release form from EACH identifiable subject in the image. Entries submitted without a required Model Release form, and entries submitted with defective Model Release forms (viz., releases that cannot be verified for authenticity by Mote Marine Laboratory, for any reason, including missing, incorrect or incomplete contact information on the Model Release form) will be disqualified. Visit www.mote.org/photocontest to download a copy of the Model Release form.

We are seeking Florida coral reef images that show vibrant marine life and colors.

Photos must include all of the following: a Florida reef scene, live corals and marine life.

Images that are prohibited include (but are not limited to): Nudity/sexuality, exploitation or harassment of animals or marine life, and illegal behavior (i.e. touching corals). Submitting images that clearly identify a person, will need to have a model release submitted with the entry or the image will be disqualified. (See below additional info on model releases).

Yes. By entering the Protect Our Reefs Photo Contest, the entrant represents, acknowledges and warrants that the submitted image is an original work created solely by the entrant and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the photograph.

Images that have won any other contests or have been previously published or violate or infringe upon another person's copyright are not eligible. By entering the Protect Our Reefs Photo Contest, the entrant represents, acknowledges and warrants that the submitted image is an original work created solely by the entrant and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the image.

No, there is no entry fee for the Protect Our Reefs Photo Contest.

All photos entered must be of a Florida coral reef and must have been taken by the entrant.

Yes. The photos must be taken in Florida.

Yes. Each photograph that includes identifiable subjects (people) must be accompanied by a separate, signed release from EACH identifiable subject in the photograph. Releases that cannot be verified for authenticity by Mote Marine Laboratory, for any reason (including missing, incorrect or incomplete contact information on the release form) will result in the disqualification of the entry. You must upload or fax a signed model release when submitting an image containing any identifiable people. Visit www.mote.org/photocontest to download a copy of the Model Release form.

The contest judges are an esteemed panel of marine scientists, photographers, and the Protect Our Reefs Marketing Coordinator. The Grand Prize will be awarded only to the entry that the contest judges deem most worthy. The Grand Prize may not be awarded if no acceptable entries are received. All decisions by the contest judges are final.

The images will be judged by a non-biased esteemed panel of marine scientists, photographers, and the Protect Our Reefs Marketing Coordinator. The Grand Prizes will be awarded only to the winning entry that the contest judges deem worthy. The Grand Prize may not be awarded if no acceptable entries are received. All decisions by the judges are final.

Submitted images can have a maximum image size of 6 megapixels (3000 x 2000 4:3) and minimum image size of 2 megapixels (1600 x 1200 4:3). If a higher resolution version of the image is available, it should be saved by the submitter. Submitters of winning entries will be contacted by the Protect Our Reefs contest for a copy of the higher resolution version.

No. Altering content or subject matter of a photograph is not permitted, except with respect to cropping or resizing an image.

Yes. When you submit your photograph you must include in the body of the email your name, age, address, phone number, email address and description of photo. The description of the photo should include when and where it was taken, and any other relevant information. You must complete an entry form with contact information for each image submitted.

One (1) image per week may be submitted by a single individual. Individuals submitting more than the limit may be disqualified. Weeks begin on Sunday, starting November 1, 2009. The last photo must be submitted by 11:59pm on January 1, 2010.

Images must be submitted via email to reefplate@mote.org in accordance with the entry form requirements. Receipt of entries will be acknowledged. Photographs must meet required resolution size (see above).

Yes. No print or film submissions will be accepted. If you have a non-digital image you wish to submit, then you'll have to scan the photograph to the required DPI resolution, and then submit the photo online.

No. Only color images are eligible.

Mote Marine Laboratory/Protect Our Reefs reserves the right to use the images in any medium of public or private communication so as to promote or inform the public about any program at Mote Marine Laboratory without paying compensation to the photographer or the subjects. By submitting images, entrants are providing permission to Mote Marine Laboratory/Protect Our Reefs to retouch, edit and make such alterations to images that Mote Marine Laboratory/Protect Our Reefs may desire.

Your entry in the contest constitutes your agreement to allow any associated submitted images to be:
• Used in the 2010 or any subsequent Mote Marine Laboratory or Protect Our Reefs marketing campaign (including, but not limited to print publications, websites, posters, promotional items, commercial items, calendars and other marketing materials)
• Published on Protect Our Reefs websites (including, but not limited to, www.mote.org and http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Protect-Our-Reefs/195425750077)
• Displayed at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Good faith efforts will be made to give photo credit when an image is used by Mote Marine Laboratory/Protect Our Reefs. It must be understood that Mote Marine Laboratory occasionally gives promotional images to media, writers and other organizations, and cannot be held responsible if such organizations fail to give photo credit to a photographer for a promotional image.

All entries must be free of claims and rights of third parties. Images that have been previously published may not be submitted.

Contest entrants agree to abide by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of the contest judges, which are final on all matters pertaining to the contest. The return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner.

No, submitted images cannot have been previously published.

Prizes are non transferable and may not be redeemed for any substitutions. In the event that the Grand Prize Award winner chooses not to accept the Prize, they forfeit any and all claims to that Prize, which will be then dealt with according to the absolute discretion of Mote Marine Laboratory/Protect Our Reefs. All awards will be made at the discretion of the contest judges. If a suitable image is not found amongst the entries, a prize may not be awarded for each placement or contest.

Semi-Finalist: One winner will be chosen from each week's submissions and the winning image will be posted to the Protect Our Reefs Facebook page as a semi-finalist.

Grand Prize: The nine semi-finalists will compete for the Grand Prize Award, which includes:
- Use of their image for the 2010 Protect Our Reefs Marketing Campaign
- Grand Prize Key West Getaway Award Package:

• 2 Night Stay at the Island City House Hotel in Old Key West. (Provided by Island City House Hotel; Value $500)
• Half-day trip for two people scuba-diving the Vandenberg, including rental gear. (Provided by Captain's Corner Dive Center; Value $240)
• "Commotion On The Ocean" Sunset Sail for 2, featuring complimentary beer, wine and snacks. (Provided by Fury Water Adventures; Value $100)
• Protect Our Reefs Goody Bag

Contest entrants agree to abide by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of the contest judges, which are final on all matters pertaining to the contest. The return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner.

No entry will be returned, and all entries become the property of Mote Marine Laboratory. Submitted images will be added to the permanent Mote Marine Laboratory photo collection, owned and maintained by the organization, and will be used as Protect Our Reefs/Mote Marine Laboratory sees fit.

Mote Marine Laboratory/Protect Our Reefs is not responsible for entries not received due to lost, failed, delayed or interrupted connections or miscommunications, or other electronic malfunctions. Mote Marine Laboratory/Protect Our Reefs is also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate entry information, whether caused by the submitter, by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the contest or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the entries in this contest.

By entering, participants release and hold Mote Marine Laboratory/Protect Our Reefs, as well as any directors, officers or employees of those organizations from any and all liability for any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the contest.

If, for any reason, the contest is not capable of being conducted as planned, including any causes beyond the control of the administrators, Mote Marine Laboratory/ Protect Our Reefs reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, modify, suspend or terminate the contest without notice to the entrants.

Any prize winner will be responsible for any and all taxes payable as a result of the prize being awarded or received.

Entry into the contest does not create any vested right or interest for the participants in the prizes offered for the contest.