Marine Life & Conservation
Discover the wonderful world of rock pooling
All around the UK’s coast, rock pools offer a fascinating insight into life beneath the waves. This summer, the Marine Conservation Society and the Rock Pool Project have teamed up to produce a free, comprehensive video introducing viewers to the wonders of rock pooling.
In the film, Marine Conservation Society ambassador, Inka Cresswell, and rock pooling expert and marine biologist, Dr Ben Holt, share an introduction into the world of rock pooling; equipping novices with all the information, safety advice and confidence they need to explore the world beneath the waves.
British rock pools are magical windows into the ocean and a free, accessible way for anyone to get a sense of the wonders which usually lie hidden beneath the sea.
Inka Cresswell, Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society, said: “Rock pools are a fantastic way to explore life underwater, whilst keeping dry! From velvet swimming crabs to anemones and starfish, there are so many incredible creatures to be discovered. Rock pooling is free, fun and educational, so it’s a great activity for families spending time at the seaside. Why not see what you can find?”
The strong tides found along UK coastlines provide countless opportunities to discover rock pool wildlife with many different species of crabs, stunning anemones, charismatic fish, starfish, seaweeds and much more.
Top rock pooling tips, from experts:
- Plan a visit for low tide when more rock pools and wildlife will be exposed
- Take good footwear for protection and to prevent slipping
- No need for buckets and nets, a small takeaway food tray is ideal for viewing wildlife and can be easily carried
- Take a reusable water bottle, ocean safe sun screen and a camera to record wildlife
- Carefully turn over stones to see if there are creatures hiding beneath (and always return them)
- Use an ID guide and record findings
- Be careful not to harm any creatures or keep them out of the water for too long
Dr Ben Holt, who runs the Rock Pool Project, said: “British rock pool habitats are some of the best in the world. They’re freely available to everyone, and rock pooling is a great activity for people of all ages. Exposure to nature and to the sea provides numerous health and well-being benefits, and rock pooling is an activity that allows you to completely immerse yourself in the marine world.”
The Marine Conservation Society’s sightings programme is another fantastic way to share vital data with the charity while exploring the coastline. The charity is asking beachgoers to share sightings of animals including turtles and jellyfish via its website.
To make sure that everyone can enjoy the coast when they visit, the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Great British Beach Clean is a week-long series of beach cleaning events which not only clears the seaside of litter, but gathers information which has led to new laws including single-use plastic carrier bag charges across the UK.
The Rock Pool Project has a free rock pool wildlife survey programme that people can perform at their local beaches and also runs expert-led rock pool safaris based in Falmouth and Plymouth.
For more information on enjoying the UK’s coast, please visit the Marine Conservation Society’s website.
Marine Life & Conservation
Double Bubble for Basking Sharks
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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