Marine Life & Conservation
Marine Conservation Society celebrate human connection to the sea on Blue Monday with three new films
The Marine Conservation Society has released a series of three short films, exploring human connection to the ocean.
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and created by filmmaker Dominic Joyce, the films follow three individuals as they explore the different experiences which led them to a deep connection to our blue planet: surfing, diving and beach cleaning.
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “The sea means something different to each of us. These films capture the awe-inspiring nature of the sea, the close emotional connection that individuals have with it and the positive impact it has on health and wellbeing. But the films also highlight the vulnerability of our ocean and how susceptible it is to the negative impact of humans.
“Our players have raised £3.25 million to support Marine Conservation Society. I’m delighted this money is helping protect our ocean and marine environments, helping them to thrive so they can continue to be enjoyed by everyone.”
Dominic Joyce, filmmaker, said: “I was so happy when this project first entered my inbox as the ocean has always been a point of fascination to me. It has always been such an integral part of the human experience (and I say that as a man born and raised in the midlands).
“Each of our contributors have such an incredible relationship with the sea from both an environmental standpoint and a personal one. Each story demonstrates what power the ocean has over us. My hope is that people watch these films and see that the British coast is truly one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world and one that is so clearly worth protecting.”
The films are available to watch, in full, via the charity’s website.
Charlotte, who has autism, mild cerebral palsy and bipolar disorder, is now a competitive parasurfer and volunteer for the Wave Project. In the film, Charlotte speaks of her fear of the ocean, until her Mum signed her up for surf therapy lessons. As someone who was very scared of the sea, and spent much of the first lesson on the beach, Charlotte’s journey to surfing competitively is a wonderful story of the restorative power of the ocean.
“As soon as I walked into the water, I just felt very calm, in control and happy – the first time I’d been in the sea, happy and not worrying about anything else”
Charlotte has since competed in, and won, several surfing competitions and now supports the Wave Project helping other young people like her.
Georgie is a Marine Conservation Society volunteer, and part of the charity’s Seasearch programme for divers. In her film, Georgie takes viewers underwater to see some of the wonders of UK seas and the unfortunate reality of human impact.
The film highlights the incredible diversity of life, colour and beauty in the UK’s waters, “if you’re willing to get a little bit chilly”, as Georgie says. As a photographer, Georgie’s goal is to capture the UK’s seas in a way that inspires and motivates others, and builds a connection between people and the sea.
“I don’t think I’ve ever done a dive and not seen some form of human impact”
Whether on a small or large scale, Georgie’s film highlights the issue of marine pollution, from fishing nets to microplastics, and how it’s become part of experiencing the ocean. But the film is full of hope and inspiration, as Georgie says, “there is a lot we can do as individuals”.
Divers and snorkellers can sign up for Seasearch; volunteers survey the state of UK seas, providing data and insight into marine flora and fauna. For more information, please visit the Seasearch website: www.seasearch.org.uk
Vaishalli is a Marine Conservation Society volunteer, and in her film, speaks of her connection to the ocean which she found through beach cleaning.
“Going to a calm and quiet beach, it helps you focus better – blows away the cobwebs – It cleanses your mind and you go home feeling relaxed, happy and rejuvenated”
As a dedicated beach cleaner, Vaishalli sees firsthand the impact of pollution on marine life; she speaks in the film of spotting a seabird tangled in fishing wire on the first beach clean she attended. “We don’t think our actions can have major consequences”, she says. But everyone can make a difference: “It’s really important for us to change things now, and we can.”
The Marine Conservation Society’s beach cleaning project runs year round, with volunteers able to organise their own beach clean, or join one at their local coast. To see beach cleans happening near you, or to sign up as a volunteer, please visit the charity’s website: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/join-a-beach-clean/.
To watch all three films, please visit the Marine Conservation Society’s website.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.
Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.
On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.
Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.
Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.
Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”
The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.
To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.
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