We wanted to announce news about our latest marine conservation grant awards. We are thrilled to be able to support 17 fantastic projects from right around the UK shores and seas. The projects funded are:
Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum - training local recreational users of the Pembrokeshire coastline to identify and record local wildlife and invasive species via the Marine Code App, in partnership with biodiversity experts.
Craignish Restoration of Marine and Coastal Habitat (CROMACH) - a pilot re-introduction of the native oyster to Loch Craignish, in order to improve water quality and increase biodiversity while exploring the potential for greater community-led regeneration of the loch using a keystone species.
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust – Funding to purchase much needed computer equipment for their dedicated research vessel, Silurian, critical for the continuation of HWDT’s data collection and a powerful desktop to analyse these data for scientific publications.
Marine Biological Association - Beyond Capturing our Coast (CoCoast) Southwest will contribute to the continuing of the biggest inter-tidal Citizen Science project of its kind in the UK. CoCoast’s remit included inter-tidal surveys addressing key ecological questions, supporting non indigenous species management and promoting marine stewardship.
The High Tidiers – Regular beach cleans focusing on West Kirby Beach, and on more sheltered parks and heathland nearby.
Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery - funding will help the hatchery's economic cycle and enhance breeding stocks by allowing the hatchery to pay fishermen and release even more lobsters back to sea.
University of Portsmouth - Drawing on the success of the See Bin, Sea Change public event hosted at the University of Portsmouth on 1st December 2017 and July 29th 2018, the money will be used to create educational material for future events.
Combe Martin Museum - The project, involving all 175 children from the local Primary School, is based around monitoring and recording change on Combe Martin beach through the use of film-making.
Just One Ocean - The Big Microplastic Survey is a collaborative global citizen science research programme established by Just One Ocean and the University of Portsmouth. The programme is currently gathering data about microplastics from oceans, rivers, lakes and coastlines around the world. This will be used to undertake further research in order to establish the sources and pathways of microplastics.
Marine Conservation Society - purchasing beach cleaning equipment for Scotland enabling MCS to clean and survey 240 Scottish beaches, engaged over 3,000 volunteers, and collect data on key types of litter polluting Scottish seas and beaches.
Beach Watch Bute – Funding for storage benches throughout the island in key areas affected by marine litter. The benches will contain handy grabbers, bags, and gloves.
Grab Trust – Funding for storage benches throughout the Argyll area.
Sea the Change – develop a school engagement project and get local children outdoors helping to protect the stunning coastline.
Seasearch North East England - a 2-day seaweed identification course, consisting of lectures, fieldwork on local shores and practical classroom work.
Thanet Coast Project - The project is to help volunteers, community groups, organisations and visitors to run their own beach cleans, or get involved in organised events around the Thanet coast.
Carmarthenshire C&YO Carers Services – Young carers will be involved in day trips to the beach to collect marine litter and sort into non-recyclable and recyclable waste and items which are interesting and can be used for an arts project.
Whitby Wildlife – Purchase of several pools to improve facilities for seabird rehabilitation.
Full details of all the projects will be posted on our pages next year but we wanted to congratulate all these fantastic projects and we look forward to hearing about their vital marine conservation work in 2019.