Sea-Changers

🦈 Shark Mucous Swabbing Project Update! Last year in our Autumn Main Grant Round, we awarded funding to the Pat Smith Database for a non-invasive mucous sampling of shark species in UK waters. And after a fantastic effort from all their supporters of the mucous swabbing project, over 200 samples have been collected so far. Which is a tremendous result. The majority of the samples have come from Blue sharks, so organisers have decided to extend the project into 2025 so they can collect more Porbeagle and Thresher shark samples. Recreational sea angling charter skippers were trained in a non-invasive mucous collection technique and collected the mucous samples from a number of shark species caught and then released. The swab samples will be made available to scientific organisations who are pursuing relevant areas of study and will enable DNA, stable isotope and fatty acid analysis which will assist with population, kinship and other areas of study. Sharks are classed as a data poor species. By working together the recreational sea angling community is helping address this so we can protect these magnificent fish and maintain the health of our oceans. Keep checking back for more updates on this and other projects from our Main Grant funds. Thanks to the support of our brand partners, we were able to fund this project, which has been so well received. We can’t wait to hear an update on the results of the sampling. Image via Pat Smith Database, Facebook

You're awesome! A huge thank you to our wonderful Sea-Changers Community for helping us spread the word about our Main Grant Fund. Every like and share helped and was so appreciated. We've closed this year's applications, and we’re blown away by the passion and ideas that came our way. 💙 Now, the exciting part begins! Over the coming months, we’ll be diving into the applications and can’t wait to update you on the impactful projects we’ll be funding. Stay tuned sea changers 🌍🌊 #MarineConservation #GrantFund

Deadline coming in fast. Tag your contacts who's marine conservation project needs a boost in funding. This could be: 🦀 A school or community organisation focused on raising awareness with local groups 🦀 A research programme at a University looking for funding to purchase equipment 🦀 Direct action projects focused on actively restoring or preventative means to improve biodiversity and conservation. For details on applying 👉 https://lnkd.in/eBPaEyN Take a look at the vast range of projects we funded in previous rounds for inspiration: https://lnkd.in/eEQv_gNa Don't delay. Eat that frog. Go, go, go. #ukmarineconservation #charityfunding #grantfunding

🌊 🐧 Community engagement in action! 🌊 🐧 These wonderful images are from The Living Seas North West Irish Sea Day. Raising awareness about the history of the Irish Sea and the birds who live there and the threats they face. With funding from our Marine Conservation Social Fund, this series of engagement activities ran across spring and summer this year to raise awareness of the importance of Morecambe Bay for birds that are both nesting and feeding. This is just one example of of the varied and important projects that Sea-Changers support! Project organisers The Bay: A blueprint for recovery commented: "Hundreds of thousands of seabirds roost at Morecambe's beaches over the winter, relying on them as a vital source of food and shelter during the harshest months of the year. Every time a bird is disturbed, whether that's by people getting too close or by unruly dogs, they have to use up precious energy to get away, something they often can't afford to waste. The birds might not return to the same area if the disturbance persists, forcing many of them into the smaller areas to compete for food. Sadly, this leads to starvation, and a worrying decline in Morecambe's bird population. To learn more about how to use our coastlines responsibly, why not take a look at the Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code: https://lnkd.in/ef_sG62G Images via The Bay: A blueprint for recovery Facebook page. Credits, 1 & 2 Jack Bradshaw. 3 David Moreton #marinebirds #communityengagement #Morecambe

🐧 🐧 New Arrival Alert! 🐧 🐧 We’re SO excited to introduce our brand new Puffin Flight Tee! And we love it! This beautifully designed shirt by Megan Johnson features a stunning puffin in flight, capturing the spirit of the ocean and the wildlife we work hard to protect. By purchasing this tee, you're not only adding a super cool addition to your wardrobe, but you're also helping us fund vital marine conservation projects across the UK! Link to the Tee here https://lnkd.in/ePZvZMkF Let’s wear our passion for the ocean proudly and make a real difference! #SustainableFashion #MarineConservation #ProtectOurOceans

Let's skip the good morning pleasantries. Our Main Grant fund is closing to applications in 7 days and it's time to get your applications in. For existing projects, or those looking to launch a project that is all about protecting our marine life and ecosystems around the UK, then this is for you. This could be: 🦀 A school or community organisation focused on raising awareness with local groups 🦀 A research programme at a University looking for funding to purchase equipment 🦀 Direct action projects focused on actively restoring or preventative means to improve biodiversity and conservation. For details on applying 👉 https://lnkd.in/eBPaEyN Take a look at the vast range of projects we funded in previous rounds for inspiration: https://lnkd.in/eEQv_gNa #marineconservation #charityfunding #grantfunding

🚨BREAKING: The UK has become the first nation to map and estimate the amount of carbon stored in its seas. 📣 A new report on ’blue carbon’ estimates there are 244 million tonnes of organic carbon locked in just the top 10cm of seabed habitats around the UK! 🌊These blue carbon habitats can help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. We need to make sure it goes undisturbed, by preventing harmful activities such as bottom trawling. #BlueCarbon #Conservation #CarbonStorage

Our 2024 Main Grant fund is still open for applications. But not for much longer. Do you know any projects that are looking for funding to get started? Or perhaps a financial boost for equipment purchases to support their research as highlighted in Catherine's post? For details on how to apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/eBPaEyN Applications close soon, so nudge everyone you know. #marineconservation #UKCharity #grantfunding

😞 Issues This adult male is in trouble. He has a lost monofilament gill net caught around his neck. This will cheesewire into his cross collagen fibre skin through movement alone. He is badly in need of rescue! Sadly, not all entangled seals can be rescued when they are seen on routine surveys. BDMLR need to be able to get to the seal before it can reach the sea, and this is unlikely when seals are resting in the intertidal zone. All we can do is alert all our volunteers to keep a look out for him and hope that a rescue is possible next time we see him! We have published several papers and reports about the issue of entanglement. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eqtgNWEC 📷️ This photo was taken with a superzoom 3000mm Nikon P1000 camera from a responsible distance. #Seal #GreySeal #SealPup #Seals #SealConservation #SealResearchTrust #Entangled #BDMLR #GhostGear