Fishing Under the Radar

May 1, 2016

Written by Liz Thompson

Winners of the 2016 Science Without Borders® Challenge

The 2016 Science Without Borders® Challenge asked students to explore the impact of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This harmful practice threatens global fish populations, disrupts marine ecosystems, and undermines the livelihoods of coastal communities. Through their artwork, students illustrated the consequences of IUU fishing, helping to raise awareness about its effects on both marine life and the people who depend on sustainable fisheries.

This year’s competition saw over 160 entries from students in 18 countries, each offering a unique artistic interpretation of the theme. By researching IUU fishing, students gained a deeper understanding of its environmental and economic impacts. Their artwork not only demonstrated artistic talent but also reflected their ability to communicate important conservation messages through visual storytelling.

The Science Without Borders® Challenge continues to inspire young artists to engage with critical ocean conservation issues. By participating, students become advocates for marine protection, using creativity to spark conversations about the need for sustainable fishing practices.

Middle School Winners & Finalists:

"Fishing Disaster" by Supratik Das, Age 14, India

"Grief" by Alexandra Jin, Age 14, British Columbia, Canada

"We Protect Our Oceans Resource" by Dharunigsa Naguleshwaran, Age 11, Sri Lanka

"Mother Earth, I Can, I Care" by Ainer Padrigo, Age 13, Phillipines

"Untitled" by Antariksha Sethiya, Age 12, India

"Trapped Tuna" by Cristen Jian Gadicho, Age 13, Hawaii, USA

"Safety and Freedom in the Sea" by Eddie Maza, Age 12, New York, USA

"Pirate Fishing Under the Radar" by Jiaying Zhug, Age 11, Ontario, Canada

"Undiscovered Pirate" by Katherine Wu, California, USA

"S.O.S." by Veronika Matkovska, Age 14, Ukraine

High School Winners & Finalists:

“What Goes On Your Plate” by Ruofei Rao, Age 17, New Zealand

“Bled Out Depths” by Stephanie Tian, Age 16, Georgia

“Hurting Nature is Hurting Us As Well” by Yeon Soo Park, Age 16, South Korea

“What’s in an IUU Fishers’ Net?” by Ashley Ayeri, Age 15, Virginia

“Stolen Fish” by Clio Smith, Age 15, California

“Blood Money” by Maggie Horlacher, Age 16, Montana

“Help Me Save the World” by Nurul Eeman Mansor, Age 17, Malaysia

“The Suffocating Stab” by Patricia Wang, Age 15, California

“Fishy Business” by Tori Qiu, Age 16, Nebraska

“S.O.S.” by Veronika Rozsa, Age 15, Hungary

Everything You Need to Know About the 2027 Science Without Borders® Challenge

Are you ready to combine your creativity with ocean science?

The 15th Annual Science Without Borders® Challenge is now open! Whether you’re participating for the first time or returning for another year, this guide will help you get started.

This year’s theme, Navigate With Care, invites students to explore how responsible navigation helps protect both people and life in the ocean. Through your artwork, you can compete for scholarships and international recognition while inspiring others to protect both people and life in the ocean.

Global Reef Expedition Data Contributes to Landmark Report on the World’s Coral Reefs

More than a decade after scientists aboard the Global Reef Expedition surveyed coral reefs across the Pacific, the data they collected continues to contribute to our understanding of the world’s coral reefs.

Today, the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) released Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025, the most comprehensive assessment to date of the status and trends of coral reefs worldwide. The report brings together an extraordinary amount of information collected over more than four decades—and the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is proud to have contributed data from the Global Reef Expedition to this global effort.

Winners of the 2016 Science Without Borders® Challenge

Middle School Winners & Finalists:

High School Winners & Finalists:

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