Our Marine Conservation Projects
Since 2011, Sea-Changers has funded over 250 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:
Neptune's Army of Rubbish Cleaners (NARC)
This project saw NARC awarded funding to carry out a clean-up dive at Skomer Marine Nature Reserve in Wales and to purchase equipment to enhance their work.
"Neptune's Army of Rubbish Cleaners is tackling an unglamorous and largely unseen but very harmful blight on the littoral fringes of a coastal park."
Sea-Changers Grant given: £1,000
Based in the UK, NARC carry out regular underwater clean-ups. To celebrate their 12th year, Sea-Changers funded 10 underwater sea cleans in Pembrokeshire.
During the dives, NARC divers removed litter such as plastic, as well as trapped lobster pots that local lobster fishermen had previously been unable to retrieve.
The Sea-Changers grant also funded equipment like new underwater recording slates to ensure all litter and its impact are recorded, as well as new material to display at events for awareness raising.
NARC’s project was featured by Sky News, Sky Ocean Rescue, The Telegraph and The Daily Mail.
What was achieved
Over 10 dives took place over the summer period, attracting more volunteers than originally intended.
A huge range of marine litter was collected, including ghost fishing gear (some of which was returned to respective local fishermen), angling gear and other rubbish, some of which appeared to have been fly tipped. The teams also found and released a number of trapped animals, including a dogfish.
The team at NARC received national coverage of their project, and liaised with the National Trust, the Crown Estate and the BBC to raise awareness of marine litter. The new banners we funded will ensure they are instantly recognisable at future events.
In the longer term
The litter retrieved from these clean-ups highlights the occurrence of fly tipping in the area and subsequently may encourage local communities to take an interest and pride in their local environment. This in turn will raise awareness of the impacts of marine litter.
Following the initial project funded by Sea-Changers, NARC visited Sri Lanka to partake in a number of underwater clean-ups. They also continue to contribute to the international network on ghost fishing, the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), and became a working group member to exchange knowledge on worldwide solutions.
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.
