Marinelife is delighted to confirm the following two appointments:
Meet Jeremy Worrell
Jeremy is a former board adviser and head of digital and data. He’s spent much of his career transforming technology and has recently led work with the RSPB and Marine Conservation Society. Jeremy is now Head of AI for a large UK charity.
Meet Alun Williams
Alun is an experienced financial services professional who is now applying his acumen in senior social and environmental causes. He holds board positions with a leading marine research charity, a community bank and a nature conservation charity, as well as volunteering as a citizen scientist for a number of marine conservation projects.
From all of us at MARINElife, welcome on-board Alun and Jeremy.
The 37th annual conference of the European Cetacean Society was held at the Livehouse in Dundee from 22nd-24th April.
MARINElife was represented by Dr Martin Kitchin, our NE Cetacean project Director – read his report here. Martin also produced a very informative poster about his work on White-beaked and Bottlenose Dolphin, see here.
Many thanks to Martin for all the great work he and his team have done in the NE, check out the project page.
Do you know someone that would like to be involved in marine conservation or just to be able to recognise the marine wildlife around our shores!
You do, then consider buying them the gift that keeps giving. Purchase a MARINElife Training Course Gift Voucher that will give the recipient of your gift access to one of our all-day courses where they’ll Learn how to identify what can be seen from land and at sea around the UK and European seas, or become a Citizen Scientist, we’ll show how to report your sightings for conservation or even consider becoming a MARINElife volunteer ship-based surveyor in your spare time!
The vouchers can be used to book a place on any one of our courses throughout 2026 and are discounted to just £50, saving £10 off the full price.
Record UK numbers of Balearic Shearwater – a Critically Endangered seabird and the most globally threatened bird to occur regularly in the UK – have been seen in the Devon section of Lyme Bay.
The birds were monitored on the 24th of July through a survey conducted by the charity MARINElife on a Naturetrek ecotourism trip off the South Devon coast.
Professor Tom Brereton, MARINElife’s Research Director who conducted the survey, said: “We counted 1920 birds; surpassing the previous UK record site day count of 1145 made in 2023, by a startling 68%”.
“Warming sea temperatures were thought to have been the main driver for the influx, with the whole area surveyed teeming with seabirds, dolphins and jellyfish.”
The Balearic Shearwater is a Critically Endangered seabird confined as a nesting species to the Balearic Islands in the western Mediterranean. The seabird is in steep decline, with fewer than 3000 breeding pairs remaining, though the total population including non-breeding birds was last estimated at around 22000 individuals. Outside the nesting season Balearic Shearwaters move out of the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic.
The Balearic Shearwater is closely related to the Manx Shearwater, which nests in Devon and the UK. Both birds are distant relatives of albatrosses.
In recent years increasing numbers of post-breeding Balearic Shearwaters birds have shifted north from traditional moulting grounds in the Bay of Biscay to the English Channel, coinciding with warming sea temperatures and northward shifts in Anchovy and other pelagic fish.
South West England waters are now considered internationally important at times, with for example counts of over 1000 made in Devon, most recently 1,145 at Berry Head in September 2023 (a national record) and 1068 at Start Point in July 2020.
Boat surveys by the charity MARINElife and satellite tagging work by others have confirmed these birds are not just passing through but are actively using the waters as moulting and feeding grounds for weeks on end.
In recent days increasing numbers of Balearic Shearwaters had been recorded in South West England waters from coastal headlands, so expectations were high of seeing some birds on the 24th of July.
However, the number of sightings of this species were extraordinary and unprecedented, with over 30 feeding or resting flocks detected, spread across all sea areas surveyed: an area of 240 square kilometres. Professor Brereton added: “Given that only a fraction of Lyme Bay was sampled (less than 1%), it seems likely that were hundreds to many thousands more birds present, representing a high proportion of the world’s population”. “The South West marine environment is changing rapidly from plankton communities at the base of the chain, through to top predators such as Balearic Shearwaters. We must act quickly to ensure that species such Balearic Shearwater, Bluefin Tuna and other new arrivals are adequately protected whilst in our waters”. Continued monitoring of marine wildlife is vital as trends change.
Major threats to Balearic Shearwater include: accidental drowning in fishing nets, invasive predators, such as rats and cats, at breeding sites and climate change (shifting prey, storm mortality). Of concern, one bird was found entangled by sea angling gear on the survey, highlighting the bycatch issue.
The Balearic Shearwater sightings were only one highlight of an extraordinarily rich day for marine wildlife encounters, with a mix of familiar species and ones much rarer and brought in by warming sea temperatures here and elsewhere. Highlights included unusually large numbers of formerly rare Crystal Jellyfish, an Ocean Sunfish, three pods of Risso’s’ Dolphin and large numbers of Common Dolphin.
Risso’s Dolphin (below) have shown up in unprecedented numbers off the South West this summer, following a large influx of Mediterranean Octopus; a known prey item.
A rare Wilson’s Petrel (below) from the South Atlantic, more frequently seen in the Bay of Biscay, was seen and photographed for the first time in Devon waters, along with hundreds of Manx Shearwaters, Gannets, Kittiwakes and Guillemots. Andy Tucker, Managing Director of Naturetrek who oversees organization of the trip, said: “We were delighted to give our wildlife watching clients a trip of lifetime and at the same time contribute to vital research on this endangered species, one that is even rarer and more threatened with extinction than the Polar Bear.”
In partnership with DFDS, MARINElife is starting a new survey route in May, using the ferry service from Newcastle (North Shields) to Amsterdam (Ijmuiden).
This new survey route will cover some important sea areas of the North Sea, of the coasts of Northern England and of the Netherlands.
The North Sea holds a very diverse range of marine habitats, and is very important for marine wildlife, particularly for spawning fish species. It is also a very active area for the fishing industry and increasingly for the off-shore power industry. Monitoring this important sea area is of vital importance, and the new survey route will contribute to the knowledge an understanding of its importance and vulnerability.
We will be particularly looking out for White-beaked Dolphins off the coast of North- East England, and for migration movements of seabirds off the Dutch coast. The recent impact of Avian Influenza on our seabird populations will also be monitored, together with any long-term changes in cetacean activity in the North Sea.
The surveys will be carried out by experienced teams of volunteer Surveyors, who will work from the King Seaways with the very generous support given by DFDS.
For more information contact Rob Petley-Jones rob.petley-jones@marine-life.org.uk
Hey everyone! Just a quick reminder that we’ve been busy out on plenty of marine surveys this year, spotting amazing creatures like grey seals, common dolphins, harbour porpoises, and lots of seabirds!
If you want to catch up on all our exciting trips, make sure to follow us on our social media channels. Stay tuned for some fascinating sightings and insights into our conservation efforts!
Get ready for Easter and support MARINElife at the same time!
Whether you’re stocking up on chocolate eggs or getting supplies for fun Easter activities, you can generate free donations for us through Give as You Live. It’s a win-win! Plus, it won’t cost you anything extra. With over 6,000 stores available, including those offering all your family’s Easter favorites, it’s easy to shop for a cause.
Don’t forget, there’s a handy app to make fundraising even easier. Start shopping today and make your Easter celebrations even more meaningful!
Hey there! Are you passionate about marine conservation? Ever dreamed of being on the bridge of a big ship, spotting incredible creatures like whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds? Well, here’s your chance to make a difference!
MARINElife is on the lookout for volunteers who’d love to join us in surveying the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry route. If you’re based nearby and itching to get involved, we want you!
Mark your calendars because we’ve got an exciting opportunity coming up on March 24th! We’re hosting a FREE training session at Alkham Village Hall.
As a marine conservation charity, we’re dedicated to protecting our oceans, and we’ve snagged some funding to provide top-notch training. This course will teach you all about identifying whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Plus, you’ll learn how to record valuable data for scientific research.
Ready to dive in and become a certified marine observer? Join us for this awesome training opportunity and be a part of something amazing!
Craving a delicious takeaway? Did you know you can support us while you satisfy your hunger?
With Give As You Live, ordering from top brands like Dominos, Pizza Hut, Uber Eats, and Deliveroo means they’ll dish out a donation to us! It’s a win-win.
Sign up now to raise free donations, or dive right in and place your order. Enjoy your meal while making a difference!
Hey there! We’re on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers keen on joining our seabird surveys on the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry route. If you’re located close to Newhaven, we want you on board!
Our Volunteer Seabirds at Sea (VSAS) initiative, in collaboration with MARINElife, coordinates surveys on established citizen science ferry routes. We offer training at two levels – ‘Lead Surveyor’ for seasoned seabird ID experts and ‘Surveyor’ for those with little to no experience.
If you’re up for the adventure, click the link below and fill out the form for a shot at securing a spot on our Lead Surveyor course.
Just a heads up, participation in VSAS surveys in England requires volunteers to become proud members of MARINElife, with a small ongoing monthly membership fee. Ready to spread your wings with us? Join the crew!
Exciting news! MARINElife has secured a grant from Sea-Changers for our Ambassadors of The Sea project.
Running until the end of September, this initiative aims to boost local communities’ knowledge, fostering better conservation practices for cetaceans and sea birds in the UK. Through education and citizen science research, we’re diving deep into creating a positive impact.
Thanks to Sea-Changers, we’ll be expanding our training program, offering more targeted courses to support our survey network. Plus, we’re on the lookout for new survey routes, welcoming fresh faces to join our volunteer crew in specific areas.
With this grant, we’re gearing up to train 8 new volunteers, enhancing our surveyor team. Additionally, we’ll be hosting talks at various venues, reaching out to the public and interested groups. The goal? To spread the word on the value of citizen science and encourage more passionate individuals to join our esteemed research and survey team.
Keep your eyes peeled on our website for upcoming training opportunities and details about where and when we’ll be delivering talks.
Become an Ambassador of the Sea
Calling all coastal enthusiasts!
If you’re part of a coastal community or a wildlife-loving group, we’ve got an exciting opportunity for you. As a top-notch marine research charity, we’re eager to collaborate with local communities like yours. How? By offering free talks on the marvelous world of marine mammals and seabirds.
Ever wondered how to observe, identify, and record the incredible wildlife in and around our seas? We’ve got the insights, and we’re ready to share them with you!
If you’re interested in hosting a free talk and have a fantastic venue in mind, let’s make it happen. Get in touch with us via the link below for more details. Let’s embark on a journey of marine discovery together!
