Discover the wonderful world of rock pooling
All around the UK’s coast, rock pools offer a fascinating insight into life beneath the waves. This summer, the Marine Conservation Society and the Rock Pool Project have teamed up to produce a free, comprehensive video introducing viewers to the wonders of rock pooling.
In the film, Marine Conservation Society ambassador, Inka Cresswell, and rock pooling expert and marine biologist, Dr Ben Holt, share an introduction into the world of rock pooling; equipping novices with all the information, safety advice and confidence they need to explore the world beneath the waves.
British rock pools are magical windows into the ocean and a free, accessible way for anyone to get a sense of the wonders which usually lie hidden beneath the sea.
Inka Cresswell, Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society, said: “Rock pools are a fantastic way to explore life underwater, whilst keeping dry! From velvet swimming crabs to anemones and starfish, there are so many incredible creatures to be discovered. Rock pooling is free, fun and educational, so it’s a great activity for families spending time at the seaside. Why not see what you can find?”
The strong tides found along UK coastlines provide countless opportunities to discover rock pool wildlife with many different species of crabs, stunning anemones, charismatic fish, starfish, seaweeds and much more.
Top rock pooling tips, from experts:
- Plan a visit for low tide when more rock pools and wildlife will be exposed
- Take good footwear for protection and to prevent slipping
- No need for buckets and nets, a small takeaway food tray is ideal for viewing wildlife and can be easily carried
- Take a reusable water bottle, ocean safe sun screen and a camera to record wildlife
- Carefully turn over stones to see if there are creatures hiding beneath (and always return them)
- Use an ID guide and record findings
- Be careful not to harm any creatures or keep them out of the water for too long
Dr Ben Holt, who runs the Rock Pool Project, said: “British rock pool habitats are some of the best in the world. They’re freely available to everyone, and rock pooling is a great activity for people of all ages. Exposure to nature and to the sea provides numerous health and well-being benefits, and rock pooling is an activity that allows you to completely immerse yourself in the marine world.”
The Marine Conservation Society’s sightings programme is another fantastic way to share vital data with the charity while exploring the coastline. The charity is asking beachgoers to share sightings of animals including turtles and jellyfish via its website.
To make sure that everyone can enjoy the coast when they visit, the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Great British Beach Clean is a week-long series of beach cleaning events which not only clears the seaside of litter, but gathers information which has led to new laws including single-use plastic carrier bag charges across the UK.
The Rock Pool Project has a free rock pool wildlife survey programme that people can perform at their local beaches and also runs expert-led rock pool safaris based in Falmouth and Plymouth.
For more information on enjoying the UK’s coast, please visit the Marine Conservation Society’s website.
