News
Marine wildlife experiences you never knew existed in the UK
You don’t need to travel abroad for spectacular wildlife encounters that can also help to protect our seas
When dreaming up your next marine-based wildlife adventure, it’s common that our minds instantly drift to those exotic tropical locations famed for their mystical megafauna and turquoise waters. Marine conservation projects are plentiful and for many, this is a trip of a lifetime.
This year, those unable to travel and desperate for their next ocean adventure have been looking back towards our own shorelines, with many shocked with what they’ve discovered. It’s well known the UK boasts some of the most dramatic and varied coastlines in the world, but what lies beneath the waves is often as spectacular as it is overlooked.
Marine conservation organisation Blue Ventures and marine scientist and presenter Charlie Young are on a mission to change this by launching Saltwater Britain, a series of ocean adventures with impact, showcasing the very best of the UK’s marine wildlife and the chance to help protect the incredible biodiversity found across the British Isles.
Image: Nicki Meharg
Blending science with adventure the Saltwater Britain 2021 expedition series is now running:
- Scuba diving in the Farne Islands – Northumberland, England (September 21’) Home to thousands of grey seals, each autumn hundreds of pups are born here. Scuba diving in the temperate waters around these stunning islands you’re able to get up close and personal with the UK’s largest native carnivore. Read more about diving in the Farne Islands here.
- Cetacean surveying and conservation retreat – Cardigan, Wales (March 22’) A four-day conservation retreat that packs in everything from dolphin surveying to conservation workshops and mindfulness. All based at the breathtaking forest eco-retreat in West Wales this wildlife retreat will live long in the memory. Read more about the cetacean conservation retreat.
Not only can UK marine experiences match those found in the tropics, removing the need for long distance travel cuts down costs, minimises your carbon footprint and supports the local organisations that are integral to restoring healthy marine ecosystems. To ensure its positive impact on the planet Saltwater Britain invests 100% of its profits straight back into fueling conservation that is both urgent and critical.
Blue Ventures is an award-winning marine conservation charity with over 18 years of experience running marine conservation expeditions and rebuilding marine ecosystems.
Visit the website for more information or to talk to the team at hello@saltwaterbritain.org.
Cover image: Charlie Young
In a thrilling encounter that left a team of marine researchers in awe, a majestic minke whale was sighted during a line transect survey on June 15, 2023. The remarkable event took place approximately 10 nautical miles off the coast of Cardigan Bay, amidst an area teeming with shearwaters. The whale’s behavior, as observed by Katrin Lohrengel, Sea Watch’s Monitoring Officer, indicated potential foraging activities, as it gracefully engaged in deep dives.
This exceptional sighting is the first documented instance of a minke whale in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) since 2013, during one of Sea Watch Foundation’s line transect surveys. The significance of this encounter cannot be overstated, as it underscores the importance of continuous scientific efforts in studying and conserving the abundant marine biodiversity of this region. Notably, this is the first minke whale sighting in a decade within the Cardigan SAC, with sightings being more prevalent further down in Pembrokeshire. Additionally, another minke whale was sighted the following day, June 16, 2023, 11 nautical miles off the Llyn Peninsula during a separate survey conducted by Professor Peter GH Evans, Director of the Sea Watch Foundation.
Line-transect surveys play a pivotal role in Sea Watch’s research, providing invaluable data on the presence, abundance, and distribution of marine species in their natural habitats. The sighting of a minke whale further emphasizes the ecological significance of the Cardigan Bay SAC, highlighting the urgent need for sustained conservation efforts to safeguard this vital marine environment.
Renowned for their agility and inquisitive nature, minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) captivate with their smaller size compared to other baleen whales. These graceful creatures embark on deep dives, skillfully hunting for their preferred prey, including fish and krill.
The sighting of the minke whale stands as a testament to the effectiveness of the team’s research methodologies and their unwavering dedication. Moreover, it serves as a beacon of hope for future discoveries that can contribute to the ongoing conservation endeavors in the Cardigan Bay SAC.
As Sea Watch celebrate this momentous milestone, they reaffirm their commitment to expanding our understanding of marine ecosystems and advocating for the protection of vulnerable species. The team extends our heartfelt gratitude to the local community, volunteers, and stakeholders whose unwavering support has made sightings like this possible.
About Sea Watch:
Sea Watch is a leading marine research organization dedicated to the study and conservation of marine mammals in the United Kingdom. Through scientific research, education, and advocacy, Sea Watch strives to protect and preserve our marine ecosystems for future generations.
For more information, please visit www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk.
Pictured: Minke whale sighting off Cardigan Bay by Katrin Lohrengel/Monitoring Officer at Sea Watch Foundation on 15 June 2023.
Duttons Divers, who have recently announced a new hard boat to join their growing fleet over on the Llyn Peninsula based at Hafan Marina Dive Centre and a second dive centre that opened in January this year, have another big announcement to end the year on!
It seems that there’s just no stopping the Duttons Divers team as they announce their third dive centre opening – this time on Anglesey!
The dive centre will be open from January 2023, and is based just off the A55 at Llangefni Services, offering ease of access from all over the island and to those visiting for the day who will be passing by on their way to dive.
The centre will offer a fully stocked shop with all major brands, as well as a classroom and meeting place for teaching and briefings for the day’s guided dives around the island, equipment servicing and air fills – perfectly located to get your fills on your way too or from sites all over the island.
Owner Clare Dutton says: “We are extremely excited to announce the new centre. We have looked at Anglesey for a while, but the perfect place just did not come up until now. We wanted somewhere central that has easy access for divers to visit.”
If you would like to find out more about the new site, go to their website www.duttonsdivers.com
Minke whale spotted off Cardigan Bay – A first in 10 years!
New year, new dive centre: Duttons to open on Anglesey in January 2023
New North Wales dive boat for 2023 season
