Sea the big picture

A STUNNING image of a diver surrounded by a pod of sperm whales is among the finalists in the Ocean Photographer of the Year competition.

- BY DEAN MURRAY

It was taken off the Caribbean island of Dominica by Romain Barats, who said: "I've loved whales since childhood so I was really excited to get the chance to swim with sperm whales for the first time in my life."

Competition director Will Harrison said: "All these images are far more than just beautiful - they are powerful visual testaments to what we stand to lose and they remind us of the urgent need for protection." Oceanographic magazine will reveal the results next month.