Newcastle Ocean Photographer Crowed Best Of The Best

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Newcastle-based photographer Matty Smith has won the global 2026 Ocean Photographer of the Year Fine Art category with his beautiful snaps of marine wildlife. 

The winning pic is a black-and-white portrait of a nurse shark, flanked by remoras in perfect formation. 

Mr Smith received the accolade from the Australian National Maritime Museum, with his images to be on display from November 19. 

There were 10 Australian or Australian-based photographers nominated as finalists in the competition, with more than 15,000 images entered from around the world. 

Mr Smith said he knew the nurse shark photograph would be a winner. 

"The planets aligned at the end of a late afternoon dive in the Maldives," he recalled. 

"Upon ascending from the depths, I crossed paths with this beautiful tawny nurse shark bathed in ethereal evening light.

"I instantly knew it would make a great black and white shot." 

Picture: Matty Smith

In addition to his category winning image, Mr Smith also had a second picture which received highly commended in the Wildlife category. 

The image shows Southern elephant seal pups exploring shallow rock pools on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands. 

Picture: Matty Smith 

Hunter community cheering as PM gives PEP11 the boot

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government has said, they won't give the green tick to a controversial gas exploration permit off the Hunter coast.

The Government advised New South Wales and the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator of their decision to refuse Advent Energy's application to extend PEP11 on Wednesday.

The future of the license has been in limbo for more than 300 days.

There's concern offshore drilling would devastate the marine environment, as well as industries reliant on the ocean and beaches.

Shortland MP Pat Conroy says the community's welcoming the move.

"It would imperil tens of thousands of local jobs," Mr Conroy said.

"You just think about all the jobs that depend upon our pristine coastline, whether it's tourism, whale-watching, hospitality, the cafes and restaurants along our coast, commercial fishing, recreational fishing, the bait shops."

"They all depend on our beautiful and healthy beaches and marine ecosystem."

The Federal Government announced the refusal, citing the community opposition and their own disagreeing with reasons for the extension, as well as concern the company couldn't raise funds in a timely manner. 

Mr Conroy says it's about time the permit was shown the door.

"For many of us, the only place we were allowed to go during the COVID lockdown was the beach, so lots of people were worried about losing their beaches and coastline," Mr Conroy said.

"I'm still angry that the Government took 300 days more than they did, but I am relieved by this decision."