About the challenge
Overview
From February to May 2025, the VeriFish Photo Challenge invited participants across Europe to submit photos and captions that captured the essence of sustainable seafood. The aim was to connect people with the environmental, nutritional, and socio-economic dimensions of fisheries and aquaculture—through visual storytelling.
The challenge received entries from students, seafood professionals, and citizens passionate about the future of our oceans. Each submission reflected a unique story of connection to seafood, sustainability, and community.

Judges & Prizes
The External Advisory Board members of VeriFish will be the esteemed judges of this Photo Challenge.
You can know more about them below.
Awards and recognitions
🏆 Grand Prizes (for each category winner):
- Featured at the VeriFish Conference (April 2026) to which authors will be invited to attend. (The project will cover the cost for EU and other European countries participants).
- Published in Eurofish Magazine (One of European top Fisheries and Aquaculture Magazines)
- Showcased on VeriFIsh social media and website.
🏅 Runners-up (2 for each category winner)
- Special feature on VeriFish’s website and social media.


Meet the Winners
🥇 Overall Winner & Best in Environmental Sustainability
Name: Lorenzo Ragazzi
Location: Olbia, Italy
Photo Description: Sea bream aquaculture cages and a dolphin in Sardinia’s crystal waters.
Caption:
“Taken with a Mavic drone over Olbia, Sardinia, this image shows sea bream aquaculture cages floating in crystal-clear waters. A bottlenose dolphin circles the enclosure, highlighting harmony between farming and marine life.”
Quote from Winner:
“Sea bream aquaculture here supports sustainable seafood production, reducing pressure on wild fish stocks while preserving water quality and biodiversity.”

🏅 Winner – Socio-Economic Sustainability
Name: Ingeborg Korme
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Photo Description: A fisher inspecting nets at Ganvié boat station, Lake Nokoué, Benin.
Caption:
“The lake is an important source of food and income for the local communities, especially for the village of Ganvié, that exists on stilts within the lake.”
Quote from Winner:
“With limited cooling infrastructures, these traditional methods allow communities to ensure fresh and available fish at any time.”

🏅 Winner – Nutrition & Health
Name: Alexandra Denisa Szabo
Location: Italy
Photo Description: Grilled fish dish with poetic caption.
Caption (excerpt):
“From the sea, a healthy prize… Eat it often, feel the glow. Good nutrition helps us grow.”
Quote from Winner:
“This photo is a reminder that simple, sustainable meals can nourish both body and planet.”