Make the most of the coast with The Wildlife Trusts and spot shoreline treasures and ocean giants this National Marine Week. The celebration runs from 27th July to 11th August 2019 – a fortnight to take advantage of the tides – and showcases wonderful seaside wildlife around the UK.

A fabulous programme of events including rockpool rambles, dolphin and whale watching and seashore safaris; The Wildlife Trusts will also be launching a new version of their popular citizen science project – Shoresearch – and are calling on volunteers to help monitor marine life on UK shores.

In the UK, we are never more than 70 miles from the coast!

The Wildlife Trusts have also published a range of colourful seaside spotter guides and marine activity sheets to help all ages enjoy the beach and rock pools. There are guides to marine megafauna, rockpool wildlife and adventure, seabirds, jellyfish, reduce your plastic use and even how to make your own felt crab!

Joan Edwards, Director of Living Seas at The Wildlife Trusts, says:

“The seas around the UK deserve their own celebration. Every summer, millions of people are drawn to the coast and are delighted by the wildlife they can see there.  The Wildlife Trusts have some fantastic events and activities lined up, with details online too.”

In the UK, we are never more than 70 miles from the coast. The Wildlife Trusts’ campaign for better protection for wildlife and its home around the UK. They recently welcomed the news that the Government is designating a third phase of new Marine Conservation Zones bringing the total to 91 of these specially protected underwater landscapes around our shores. The data collected through Shoresearch will help experts monitor our fragile sea life and better understand the effects of pollution, climate change and invasive alien species.

Follow #NationalMarineWeek on Twitter and Instagram!