Presentation night- Friday 14 August 2026, Australian National Maritime Museum
BLUE WORLD and the Australian National Maritime Museum were delighted to present the 2026 Valerie Taylor Ocean Prize celebrations, as part of National Science Week 2026. Highlights of the evening included presentations from guest speakers Lawrence Chlebeck (Humane World for Animals) and Danielle Ryan (National Parks Association of NSW) and a musical performance by Anaiya Mahony.
$45,000 cash from BLUE WORLD and $18,000 worth of WILDERLAB e-dna kits were awarded across 20 NSW based projects. We thank our partners WILDERLAB and Minderoo Foundation for providing the kits for this years prizes. Many thanks to the Australian National Maritime Museum for hosting our event, and to Afterglow productions for their in-kind film and documentation support. Thankyou to Underwater Earth for administering the funds for the prizes.
Congratulations to the 2026 Valerie Taylor Ocean Prize Winners
| Fishers for Sanctuaries Rhiannon Mitchell, Saltwater Sistas Gordons Bay Dive Club Community Shark Bite Kit Wyargine Aquatic Friends Jessica Nyugen UTS Fish Ecology Lab Operation Crayweed Spot A Shark, with The FINstitute Trashfish Recycled Treading Lightly Sydney Seahorse Project Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay Beatriz Ferreira Surfrider Foundation- Newcastle Branch Eco Network, Port Stephens Sam Nerrie, Far south coast branch NPA Friends of Solitary Islands Jen Mather Lorna Parry, Underwater Earth | Over all Winner Prize for community ocean care Prize community action Prize for ocean safety leadership Ocean hope prize Future oceans prize Prize for seadragon conservation Prize for kelp forest stewardship Prize for shark conservation Prize for creative wellbeing and wonder Prize for creative ocean engagement Prize for harbour care and recovery Blue horizons prize Prize for creating wonder in young minds Prize for community action & ocean health Prize for dolphin research Prize for marine discovery Prize for ocean campaigning Prize for Blue Inspiration Prize for building curiosity in science |
We hope to catalyse positive change across NSW for our ocean and coast. We welcome your ideas on ocean stewardship, using science, direct action, education and creativity. The project must be based in NSW.
Introducing our Patron: Valerie Taylor is a renowned diver, photographer, and trailblazing conservationist, dedicated to protecting and inspiring support for marine life. These annual prizes have been established to honour her achievements and to inspire wonder and positive action for the ocean.
2026 Valerie Taylor Ocean Prizes
$40,000 cash prizes for projects across New South Wales
100 WILDERLAB e-DNA analysis kits to be shared as part of the prizes.
Up to $10,000 may be awarded for a marine science project, though smaller amounts are more commonly awarded.
Prizes of up to $7000 will be awarded for all other projects, though smaller amounts are more commonly awarded. One over-all winner will be announced at the BLUE WORLD presentation night and presented with a trophy.
100 WILDERLAB e-DNA analysis kits
These prize kits have kindly offered for marine conservation action, marine science and ocean literacy/ education projects. This donation is valued around $14,500 and includes both kits and processing.
The kits will be awarded to groups for conservation work, science and marine education projects. We can release up to 4 kits per group for seasonal testing. (or get in touch to explain your needs)
Areas of focus
Marine science and citizen science For materials, equipment or resources for a project with a marine conservation or restoration focus.
Community engagement and direct action: For campaigns or projects focused on local ocean issues and education: eg sanctuary campaigning, ocean pollution, rescue and protection of marine birds and animals; connecting climate change and the ocean, beach clean ups,
Artivism: Ocean literacy projects, Employ an artist/ musician/ digital storyteller & use creativity to catalyse support for your piece of the coast. On theme: Prop and costume workshop for conservation action; a reel for a campaign, paint a mural, hire an amp, ocean choir.
Youth engagement and leadership: We welcome projects designed by young people, including marine science PHD students with a conservation focus and public-school environmental clubs.
Please reach out to discuss your project and the criteria of the prizes.
The aims of the Valerie Taylor Ocean Prizes
- To make a direct impact on ocean health, protection and restoration.
- To excite and educate and activate our communities to protect and care for our ocean.
This includes NSW marine and harbour eco-systems, marine species, coastal habitats and seabirds.
The prizes will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- The focus and potential impact of the project, with reference to the above aims.
- The feasibility and cost effectiveness of the project.
- Innovation and creativity of the project.
- Entrants’ potential to manage and evaluate an effective project.
- Partnerships, community engagement, collaboration, interdisciplinary approaches.
Note: BLUE WORLD
- does not provide prizes for other competitions.
- does not fund wages beyond paying a creative or workshop facilitator as part of a wider project. Please get in touch if you have questions.
The Valerie Taylor Ocean Prizes are proudly supported by BLUE WORLD WILDERLAB, the Australian National Maritime Museum and Minderoo Foundation and Afterglow Productions
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Judging: The prizes will be judged by Emily Jateff, curator at the Australian National Maritime Museum, and the Blue World Directors.
