2022 Share the Shore & Sea Youth Art Contest
K–12 students can make a difference for whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, and corals by entering our Share the Shore & Sea Art Contest. Winners’ work will be featured during NOAA’s Share the Shore & Sea campaign in May 2022.
About
The 2022 contest is closed. Check out the winning entries.
Calling all youth in grades K–12! Celebrate responsible wildlife viewing by taking part in our Share the Shore & Sea Youth Art Contest.
“Share the Shore” is a call to appreciating wildlife from a distance—for their protection and our safety! When we share the shore and sea with whales, dolphins, sea turtles, monk seals, and corals, we prevent disturbing them from all of the important behaviors and functions that allow them to survive and thrive.
Subject Matter
Artwork must highlight one or more of the following protected marine animals in the Pacific Islands region:
Text that highlights sharing the shore and sea and demonstrates responsible viewing of marine life may be included. We invite you to consider creative ways to communicate the recommended distances in your art!
What is Responsible Wildlife Viewing?
View from a Distance
Enjoy viewing wildlife in the Pacific Islands region as follows:
Whales (Large Whales)
At least 100 yards (300 feet) away
For humpback whales in Hawai‘i, federal law prohibits getting within 100 yards, including by boat, kayak, drone, when swimming, or by any other vessel or means.
Dolphin and Small Whales
At least 50 yards (150 feet) away.
For spinner dolphins in Hawai‘i, federal law prohibits getting within 50 yards, including by boat, kayak, drone, when swimming, or by any other vessel or means.
Sea Turtles
At least 10 feet away—on land and in water.
Even if turtles don’t bask on the beach where you live, it’s important to keep your distance in the water.
Monk Seals (Hawai‘i)
At least 50 feet away—on land and in water.
For moms and their pups: 150 feet.
Corals
Never touch or stand on corals. Stand in the sand!
Other Wildlife Viewing Tips
- Use binoculars or your camera’s zoom for a close-up.
- Do not disturb sea turtles or monk seals sleeping on the beach.
- Never touch, chase, or feed marine life—they are wild and unpredictable, and many are protected by law.
- Limit viewing time to a few minutes.
- Never swim with spinner dolphins—they rest and nurture their young during the day.
- View dolphins and whales from a boat or from shore.
- Keep pets on a leash and away from marine life.
- Never touch or stand on corals. They’re living animals and are essential habitat for fish and other marine life!
- Avoid stirring up the seafloor when near corals. These sediments can smother them, depriving them of the light they need to survive.
Entry Requirements
Art must:
- Be the original work of K–12 students
- Be in the form of a painting, drawing, sculpture, or digital illustration. Digital illustrations must be the artist’s original illustrations and may not feature any material that is copied from the internet or other digital sources that are copyrighted or others’ work. Tracing is not permitted. Do not include brand names, logos, or trademarks.
- Feature protected marine species in the Pacific Islands region (whales, dolphins, turtles, the Hawaiian monk seal, and/or corals)
- Not show people in close proximity to wildlife (see viewing distances above)
How to Submit Your Artwork
Submit entries through the form below. Entries must include:
- Artwork title
- High quality representation (scan or photograph) of your art, or digital file
- Basic contact information for participants
- Grade level
- Medium(s) used in the artwork (for example, pencil, watercolor, etc.)
- Image use agreement
- Teachers: You may use the materials release form (PDF, 1 page) for parents/guardians.
- Individuals: Please use the agreement within the submission form.
Submission Deadline
- American Samoa: 10:59 p.m. on May 13, 2022
- Hawai‘i: 11:59 p.m. on May 13, 2022
- CNMI & Guam: 7:59 p.m. on May 14, 2022
Judging
Art will be judged by a panel of marine scientists, educators, artists, and cultural practitioners from across the Pacific Islands region. Submissions will be placed within the following divisions:
- Grades K–2
- Grades 3–5
- Grades 6–8
- Grades 9–12
NOAA Fisheries will announce contest winners in May 2022.
Prizes
NOAA Fisheries will award prizes as follows:
Winning Entries
- Virtual visit and awards presentation with NOAA marine scientists
- Artwork featured in the NOAA Share the Shore & Sea 2023 digital calendar and scheduling sheets
- Artwork featured in the NOAA Share the Shore & Sea online art gallery and Facebook page during Share the Shore week (May 23–May 30, 2022)
Honorable Mention
- Artwork featured in the NOAA Share the Shore & Sea online art gallery and Facebook page during Share the Shore week (May 23–May 30, 2022)
All Participants
- Electronic certificate of participation
Contact Us
If you have questions or need special accommodations to participate, please contact pir.education@noaa.gov or (808) 265-7665.