Fish-ID Nusantara Launches, Inviting Divers to Document Indonesia's Fish Biodiversity
This nationwide fish identification and underwater photography competition offers total prizes of up to Rp300 million in cash and products. Registration opens on 1 October 2026.
Jakarta, September 2026 — Fish-ID Nusantara (FIN) will open registration for its fish identification and underwater photography competition on 1 October 2026. The program invites divers to photograph, identify, and document fish species encountered across Indonesia's waters.
Carrying the spirit of “Dive. Capture. Identify. Conserve.” FIN is designed to be more than a photography competition. Every submission a participant sends in is intended to expand knowledge of Nusantara's fish diversity while building concern for the conservation of marine ecosystems.
“Indonesia has an extraordinary wealth of fish species and dive destinations. Through Fish-ID Nusantara, we want to invite divers to see every dive as an opportunity to learn, document, and contribute to Indonesia's seas,” said Dharmawan Sutanto, Co-Founder of Fish-ID Nusantara.
A Species-Identification-Based Competition
In the FIN competition, participants are challenged not only to produce compelling underwater photographs, but also to identify fish using their scientific or Latin names.
Every identification is reviewed by the judging panel. Once a species is confirmed, points are awarded based on the species' conservation category under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The more threatened a species' status, the higher the points a participant can earn.
Submitted photographs must be the participant's own work and taken during the competition period. Every upload must also include dive location information, the date and time of capture based on EXIF data, and validation from the dive operator used.
The use of dive operators is an important part of FIN's system, helping ensure the validity of trips and documentation locations while encouraging safer, more responsible diving practices.
Open to Divers from Across Indonesia
FIN is open to certified divers and underwater photographers. Freedivers may also take part in the competition by meeting the applicable safety requirements and official terms.
Participants can dive across various regions of Indonesia and gain additional opportunities to earn points through 10 FIN Featured Dive Destinations. These locations will be officially announced before or at the start of the competition.
During the competition, participant rankings will be displayed on the FIN National Leaderboard. The participant with the highest point total stands a chance to earn the title of Fish-ID Nusantara National Champion.
Besides the main winner and runner-up, FIN will also present awards across a number of special categories recognising species-identification skill, destination exploration, underwater photography, conservation awareness, and responsible diving practice.
Total Prizes of up to Rp300 Million
FIN offers total prizes of up to Rp300 million, combining cash and products from the organiser and supporting partners.
This figure represents the total prize pool for the main winner, runner-up, and winners across the various special categories. The type, value, number, and distribution of prizes will follow the competition's official terms and may be adjusted based on partner support.
FIN's regular registration fee is Rp490,000. During the Early Bird period, 1–31 October 2026, participants can register at a special rate of Rp190,000.
Fish-ID Nusantara Schedule
- Registration and competition begin: 1 October 2026
- Early Bird period: 1–31 October 2026
- Registration closes: 15 August 2027
- Photo submission deadline: 31 August 2027 at 23:59 WIB
- Final judging completed: 10 September 2027
- Winners announced: 15 September 2027
Full information on competition mechanics, participant requirements, the scoring system, and the photo submission process will be available on FIN's official website.
About Fish-ID Nusantara
Fish-ID Nusantara is a fish identification and underwater photography competition organised by PT Dipa Eralaut Pradana. FIN exists to encourage divers to recognise the species they encounter, document Indonesia's fish biodiversity, explore Nusantara's dive destinations, and practise responsible diving.
Through the involvement of participants, dive operators, communities, scientists, underwater photographers, industry partners, and media, FIN aims to make every dive not only an engaging experience, but one with real learning and conservation value.
Underwater photography that identifies its species.
Dive. Capture. Identify. Conserve.