Winner of the Underwater group and overall winner of the competition: 'Flight of the Rays' by Florian Schulz from Germany, which shows an unprecedented congregation of Munkiana Devil Rays in Baja California Sur, Mexico

Florian Shulz won this year's Environmental Photographer featuring a photo of a thousand-strong group of Munkiana Devil Rays he spotted in Baja California Sur, Mexico titled as "Flight of the Rays."

During an aerial expedition I came across something I had never seen before. Not even my pilot, who has surveyed this area for 20 years, had seen anything like it.

As we got closer we started to discover its nature: an unprecedented congregation of rays. The group was as thick as it was wide, all heading towards the same direction.

I have asked around why this took place but no one has been able to explain it to me.

After such a unique sighting, I realize there are so many marvels in the oceans that we are yet to understand. Our knowledge of the oceans is so limited. I just hope that we are in time to rescue it before it collapses from pollution and over fishing.

Winner of the Under 21 group: 'The Fortune Teller' by Radoslav Radoslavov Valkov. This picture of a fly was taken Radoslav's back garden in Bulgaria

Finalist in the Underwater group: Bela Nasfay's picture titled 'Birthplace' In one of the small spring-fed lakes of an Hungarian mountain, the European Common Brown Frogs have already laid their eggs on the bottom by April. The tadpoles are waiting for the moment of their birth.

Finalist in the Changing Climate group: Sue Floods' picture of the North Pole sign in melting ice and meltwater

Winner of Natural World group: Winner Bence Mate's picture of a Hummingbird attacking a green pit viper

Finalist in the Under 16 group: Alex Marttunen's picture titled 'Home Sweet Home' which shows a Hermit crab using a bottle top in place of a shell.

Finalist in the Underwater group: Kaido Haagen's picture titled 'Hide and Seek'. A Grey Seal near the island of Vilsandi, Estonia

Finalist for the Natural World Group: Julienne Bowser's picture of a wave at Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia