Competition Rules

• Registration opens — 1 October 2026
• Competition begins — 1 October 2026
• Early Bird deadline — 31 October 2026
• Registration closes — 15 August 2027
• Submission deadline — 31 August 2027 at 23:59 WIB
• Final judging completed — 10 September 2027
• Winners announced — 15 September 2027

All times are Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

Schedule changes take effect only once announced on the FIN website or official channels.

Entries must be taken at a Dive Site within Indonesian waters during the Competition period.

Dives may be made at any of the 10 Featured Dive Destinations, or at any other dive location across Indonesia.

Dives outside the 10 Featured Dive Destinations still earn species points, but do not earn the destination bonus.

The stages of the Competition are:

• The Participant completes registration and verification.
• The Participant dives with a licensed local Dive Operator.
• The Participant photographs fish species.
• The Participant identifies the species.
• The Participant uploads the Entry and its supporting data.
• An Administrator checks completeness.
• The Panel of Judges verifies and scores the Entry.
• Points appear on the provisional leaderboard.
• Final scores are set after final judging.
• Winners are announced through official FIN channels.

The primary subject of the Competition is fish species found and photographed in Indonesian waters.

A photograph must show features sufficient for identification, including:

• Body shape;
• Pattern and colour;
• Head and eyes;
• Fins;
• Tail; and
• Other distinguishing characteristics.

The fish must be the main subject and be clearly visible. Aesthetic merit may be considered for the special categories, but species scoring prioritises how well the photograph supports identification.

A submitted photograph must:

• Be in a digital format;
• Have adequate resolution and focus;
• Not be excessively dark, blurred, or obscured;
• Show enough of the body for identification;
• Be taken during the Competition period;
• Comply with FIN's photo editing rules; and
• Be accompanied by verifiable supporting data.

Photographs may be taken using:

• A DSLR or mirrorless camera;
• An action camera;
• A 360-degree camera; or
• A smartphone camera.

The type of camera does not affect the species score, provided the photograph meets the identification standard.

Every photograph must be accompanied by:

• The scientific or Latin name of the species;
• The Dive Site where the photograph was taken, selected from the FIN Dive Site catalogue — that selection also determines the corresponding Dive Destination, regency or city, and province;
• The date and time of capture as recorded in the EXIF data;
• The photograph's EXIF data;
• GPS coordinates where available;
• The name of the Dive Operator used;
• Proof or validation of the dive from the Dive Operator; and
• Any other information requested on the platform.

Participants are responsible for making an initial identification before submitting a photograph.

An Entry that omits mandatory data cannot be processed. An Entry whose data cannot be verified may be held for clarification or rejected at the administrative review stage.

FIN may request the original RAW or pre-edit JPEG file in order to check:

• The authenticity of the photograph;
• The date and time of capture;
• Device information;
• The location of capture;
• Editing history; and
• Suspected manipulation.

Original files must be provided within the deadline stated in the verification request.

An Entry may be rejected if:

• The original file is not provided;
• The data in the original file does not match the Entry;
• The time or location cannot be verified; or
• Prohibited manipulation is found.

Participants must enter the scientific name of the species on every Entry.

The Panel of Judges may:

• Confirm the Participant's identification;
• Correct the identification;
• Request further information or photographs;
• Set the identification at genus level where the species cannot be established; or
• Reject the identification where the visual evidence is insufficient.

Reference sources may include:

• The IUCN Red List;
• FishBase;
• The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS);
• Reef Life Survey;
• iNaturalist; and
• Other relevant scientific literature.

Where sources disagree, the Panel of Judges determines the most appropriate reference based on the most current scientific information.

Species points follow the IUCN Red List categories.

A species with no assessed IUCN status is scored at the Least Concern rate.

The IUCN category used is the status in effect at the time of final scoring.

If a species' status changes during the Competition, the Panel of Judges uses the status recorded on the date of final scoring and applies it consistently.

Identification scoring works as follows:

• A correct identification earns the full points for the species category.
• An incomplete or incorrect identification may be reduced by 50%.
• A photograph that cannot be used to identify a species scores zero.
• A rejected photograph may not be re-submitted as a new Entry unless its appeal is upheld.
• Corrections made by the Panel of Judges are recorded in the scoring system.

Where the Panel of Judges corrects an identification, points are calculated from the IUCN category of the corrected species.

The Panel of Judges weighs the degree of error, the quality of the visual evidence, and the completeness of the data before applying a reduction or a rejection.

The same species from the same Dive Site is counted only once.

The same species may earn points again where:

• It is photographed at a different Dive Site;
• Each Entry has its own photograph and data;
• The difference in Dive Site can be verified; and
• All Entry requirements are met.

Some Dive Sites are grouped by the Organiser into a single area marked as a “Unique” area. All Dive Sites within one Unique area count as a single Dive Site for the purpose of counting the same species, even where each has its own name. The list of Unique areas is set out in FIN's official technical list.

Diving on different days at the same Dive Site does not by itself make those Entries count as different Dive Sites.

A change of Dive Operator name, trip name, or spelling of a location name does not change the status of what is in fact the same Dive Site.

FIN uses the following hierarchy:

• Dive Destination: a macro-scale diving area.
• Dive Location: an area within a destination, such as an island, bay, or particular stretch of coast.
• Dive Site: the specific spot where the dive and the photograph took place.

When submitting an Entry, the Participant selects a Dive Site. The levels above it are determined automatically from the catalogue.

Whether two Entries come from different Dive Sites is determined on the basis of:

• Coordinates;
• Recognised spot names;
• Dive Operator records;
• Dive logs;
• Geographic conditions; and
• Any other evidence considered relevant.

The final decision on Dive Site classification rests with the Panel of Judges.

FIN designates the following 10 Featured Dive Destinations for 2026–2027:

• 1. Alor and Lembata;
• 1. Banda Neira and Ambon;
• 1. Banyuwangi and North Bali;
• 1. Berau;
• 1. Bunaken;
• 1. The Central Sulawesi Islands;
• 1. Maumere and East Flores;
• 1. Morotai and Ternate;
• 1. Pulau Weh; and
• 1. Raja Ampat.

The geographic extent and the Dive Sites included in each destination are set out in FIN's official technical list.

Participants earn an additional 10% of their total species points for each Featured Dive Destination they complete and have verified.

A Participant who completes all 10 destinations earns a 100% bonus, so that their final score equals twice their total species points.

The Number of Valid Destinations is capped at 10.

A Featured Dive Destination counts as completed where the Participant:

• Dives within the extent of the destination;
• Uses a licensed local Dive Operator;
• Uploads at least one valid Entry from that destination;
• Includes location, time, EXIF, and Dive Operator validation; and
• Passes review by the Panel of Judges.

A destination counts as completed only once at least one Entry from it has been accepted at the close of judging. An Entry still awaiting a verdict does not yet close a destination.

Travelling to a destination without a valid Entry does not count as completing it.

A destination counts once for the bonus, however many dives the Participant makes there.

Stage 1 — Administrative review

The Administrator checks that:

• The Dive Site is registered and active;
• The Dive Operator is verified;
• Dive validation from the Dive Operator is present, where the Competition requires it;
• The Participant has been verified; and
• EXIF capture-date data is present and falls within the Competition period.

Entries that do not pass Stage 1 do not proceed to Stage 2.

Stage 2 — Technical review

The Panel of Judges reviews:

• The accuracy of the species identification;
• Photo quality for identification purposes;
• The authenticity of the photograph;
• Compliance with the editing rules;
• Compliance with underwater photography ethics; and
• The species category and points.

Stage 2 produces a single shared verdict on each Entry: identification correct, identification corrected, or unidentifiable.

Stage 3 — Final verification

Before the final results are announced, the Panel of Judges may:

• Re-examine high-scoring Entries;
• Request original files;
• Audit the winners' Entries;
• Correct identifications and points;
• Resolve appeals; and
• Set the final scores.

The judging panel consists of at least three people:

• At least one ichthyologist or marine biologist;
• At least one professional underwater photographer; and
• At least one Competition manager or administrator.

The Head Judge is responsible for:

• Coordinating the scoring process;
• Mediating differences of opinion;
• Overseeing consistency of scoring;
• Managing appeal reviews; and
• Making final decisions in accordance with these Competition Rules.

A judge with a conflict of interest may not score the Entry concerned.

The leaderboard is updated during the Competition on the basis of verification results already processed.

All scores shown before final judging are provisional.

Rankings may change as a result of:

• Identification corrections;
• Original-file verification;
• Point reductions or cancellations;
• Appeal outcomes;
• Disqualification; and
• Calculation of the destination bonus.

Official results are set once final judging is complete.

The overall winners are determined by highest final score.

Where two or more Participants have the same final score, the tie is broken in the following order:

• The greater number of Critically Endangered (CR) species;
• The greater number of the 10 Selected Dive Destinations; and
• The earlier time of their last submission.

If scores remain tied after all three criteria are applied, the Head Judge determines a further objective and documented method of resolution.

The mechanism and deadline for lodging an appeal follow the FIN Terms and Conditions.

A technical appeal may be lodged only in respect of:

• Rejection of an Entry;
• Species identification;
• Location verification;
• Time or EXIF verification;
• Point calculation; or
• Application of the destination bonus.

An appeal must be accompanied by relevant evidence, such as:

• The original file;
• A dive log;
• Scientific references;
• Coordinates;
• Dive Operator confirmation; or
• Other supporting documentation.

Disagreement without evidence is not sufficient grounds to change a decision.

Overall winners

Special categories

The following special categories apply subject to sponsor support or adoption (if any):

Prizes may be supplemented with sponsor products as officially announced.

Prize tax is borne by the winner in accordance with applicable law.

The Junior Diver category is for Participants aged 12–17 on their registration date.

Junior Participants:

• Are held to the same photo and scoring standards;
• Remain eligible for the overall leaderboard;
• Must obtain parental or guardian consent; and
• May receive the Junior category award according to their scores.

Where a Junior Participant is also an overall winner, the rules on receiving more than one prize follow FIN's official category announcement.

Judging of the Best Conservation Photograph considers:

• The strength of the conservation message;
• Relevance to the condition of the marine ecosystem;
• The authenticity of the event depicted;
• Compliance with ethics;
• Educational value; and
• Visual quality.

A photograph made by disturbing marine life or staging a situation cannot be judged.

This category is judged separately by the Panel of Judges and does not affect species points on the overall leaderboard.

Judging of the Best Aesthetic Photograph considers:

• Composition;
• Lighting;
• Colour;
• Sharpness;
• Creativity;
• Visual impact; and
• Compliance with underwater photography ethics.

The aesthetic category score is separate from species points on the overall leaderboard.

Participant of the Month may be selected on a combination of:

• Points earned;
• Consistency of Entries;
• Completeness of data;
• Species diversity;
• Ethical compliance;
• Educational value; and
• Positive contribution to the FIN community.

Monthly winners are determined by the Organiser and do not count towards points on the overall leaderboard.

A monthly winner does not automatically become an overall winner of the Competition.

A Participant may be limited to winning the monthly award more than once where the category rules so provide.

Before winners are confirmed, FIN may audit:

• Identity and certification;
• Original files;
• EXIF data;
• Location history;
• Dive Operator validation;
• Species identification;
• Ethical compliance; and
• Point calculations.

Winners must provide documents or clarification within the stated deadline.

Failure to satisfy the audit may result in the confirmation of a winner being delayed or cancelled.

Technical matters not provided for in these Competition Rules are decided by the Organiser together with the Head Judge, having regard to:

• Fairness to all Participants;
• Consistency of scoring;
• The integrity of the Competition;
• The available evidence;
• Conservation interests; and
• Applicable law.

Decisions or clarifications affecting all Participants will be announced through official FIN channels.

These Competition Rules are to be read together with:

• The FIN Terms and Conditions;
• The FIN Privacy Policy;
• The FIN Copyright Policy; and
• The FIN Disclaimer.

Provisions in those documents need not be restated in these Competition Rules.

Technical questions about Entries, identification, scoring, and appeals may be directed to:

Fish ID Nusantara Organiser: PT Dipa Eralaut Pradana fish-id.co contact@fish-id.co