Our Marine Conservation Projects
Since 2011, Sea-Changers has funded over 320 marine conservation projects all around the UK, including research, direct action and education.
We recognise that a range of actions and solutions is required to create the sea change that is needed, and to ensure the future health and sustainability of our oceans.
Our funded projects all meet one or more of the following objectives:
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To address the root causes of marine conservation threats and challenges in the UK.
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To prevent or reduce negative impacts on UK coastal and marine environments and/or species.
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To add to the body of knowledge about marine conservation threats and challenges in the UK.
Our impact
Click on the organisation logos below to read more about some of our projects, or head to the project map for a UK-wide overview.
Our featured project:
Clean Ocean Sailing: Ocean Well-Being
In 2022, we awarded one of the first grants from our Marine Conservation Social Fund to Clean Ocean Sailing. Their ‘Ocean Well-Being’ project connected the threat of marine pollution and the impact of the ocean on mental wellbeing.
"It can be a bit scary talking candidly about our mental health with strangers, but the relaxed atmosphere and openness of the COS team made it a positive experience for everyone."
Sea-Changers Grant given: £4,000
Participants took part in 3-day voyages on Clean Ocean Sailing's boat “Annie”. The voyages allowed participants to experience sailing, kayaking and wild swimming alongside beach cleaning and collecting and processing marine litter for recycling. The processed litter was transported to the Marine Regeneration Scheme to be appropriately recycled, contributing to the wider understanding of marine litter on Cornish coastlines.
Wellbeing
The project was run in partnership with a mental health professional, who engaged the participants in discussion on climate anxiety, reconnection to the self and the natural environment. The participants came from range of disadvantaged communities in Cornwall including people with mental health difficulties, young offenders and refugees. Three self-development workshops were run alongside the project including presentations, group conversations, practical tasks, and Q&A’s helping to build the self-confidence of the participants.
The connection of vital marine conservation along with mental health awareness shows the potential for future projects, which can benefit both volunteers and the environment.
“Far more useful and constructive than most of the Mental Health/Well Being support I've encountered, especially in terms of actually doing all the things that help and discovering a better way to approach dealing with all that.
“I was surprised by the kind and welcoming atmosphere and the very unpressured approach: there was a warm invitation to try things”.
Our projects
The map below shows some of the marine conservation activities we've funded since our first grants in 2012.
Click on a pin to learn more about an individual project. Or click on the top-left icon to view a list of all funded projects or to view the map key.
