Our Marine Conservation Projects
Since 2011, Sea-Changers has funded over 450 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 logos below to read more about some of our projects. You can select one or more categories and filter by type of grant.
To see a UK-wide overview head to the project map.
Featured project
Remote Beach Cleans in Wester Ross Marine Protected Area - Ullapool Sea Savers
Sea-Changers' Grant - £2,450
Ullapool is a port town in the Scottish Highlands that has long faced a serious marine plastic pollution problem, particularly in and around its Marine Protected Area. In 2018, Ullapool Sea Savers (USS) was established as a small, youth-led, community-based initiative responding directly to this growing environmental challenge.
Community co-operation
The area’s rugged geography makes many beaches inaccessible by vehicle, making clean-up efforts logistically challenging. To overcome this challenge, local groups such as Kayak Summer Isles organise litter picking expeditions to these remote areas of coast and the marine litter they collect is all uplifted by USS access the beach from their larger boat and take the litter back to Ullapool. It's a great example of mobilising local groups to work together to remove marine litter from remote coastal areas.
A key component of the approach has been recognising that this pollution is not of local origin - 80% is from marine industries - while still taking ownership of the clean-up.
Acknowledging this, USS have had significant success in engaging local fish-farms, the fishing industry and the harbour in efforts to gather rubbish as it is found. By returning re-usable items like buoys to local boats, wider communication channels have been made with local fishers to engage the whole community in their efforts.
"We are delighted that Ullapool Harbour is now looking into how to recycle some of the marine plastic rubbish coming in."
The ongoing challenge
Although storms regularly re-clutter the beaches, this has not discouraged the group. Instead, it has reinforced the importance of community involvement. By empowering local residents to take direct action, the project offers a replicable model for other small, remote communities facing similar environmental pressures.
Sea-Changers has funded three distinct phases of the Remote Beach Cleans project. Our grant in 2024 specifically covered essential operational costs, including boat maintenance, servicing, fuel, harbour fees, and materials required for clean-up activities. As a result of this funding, five dedicated uplift trips were completed. A “rubbish map” on the organisation’s website tracks the areas reached.
"In reality, it is the sustained support of this fund that has made all of the cleans possible, not just the ones specifically done during ...the individual projects you have supported over the years."
Our projects
The map below shows 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.
