Our WhyCoexist Competition 2026 was the largest and most difficult to judge to date.

We received over 250 entries from around the world from passionate storytellers, students and marine conservationists.

Every video shared a unique perspective on why we need to coexist with our oceans with the standard being exceptionally high.

Choosing a winner is always difficult and this year so the team debating on who was most deserving of the prize.

Sadly, there can only be one winner and this year, Antonino Saccone from Italy was chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The story of the young whale’s bond with its mother, and the devastating reality of human impact on marine life, was both powerful and moving.

Your heartfelt narrative highlighted the fragility of ocean ecosystems but gave hope that collective action can bring change. The passionate and emotional storytelling inspires the urgent reflection on why we need to coexist with our oceans.

Congratulations, Antonino.