issue
012
|
summer
2026
•
habitats
|
advocacy
|
experiences
Editor’s Welcome Greetings OCT members, Welcome to the latest issue of the Ocean Conservationist. As ever, this edition is a celebration of the people, projects and partnerships that are helping to create a healthier Ocean, from those working behind the scenes to those engaged in the direct action of conservation and education. We begin with a day in the life of Sophia, Ocean Conservation Trust’s Fundraising Administrator. Her story offers a glimpse into the work that helps make so much of our conservation, education and restoration possible, reminding us that protecting the Ocean depends on a whole crowd of different people with different skillsets. Following that, you’ll find an interview with none other than National Marine Aquarium’s Emma Whittle, who shares her advice on how to become an aquarium Curator, offering an honest and insightful look at a career dedicated to marine life and to inspiring future generations. At the heart of this issue is our feature on Mor Nature, Ocean Conservation Trust’s most ambitious conservation project to date. Thanks to major funding from DEFRA’s Species Recovery Fund and our partners, we’re embarking on the restoration of 10 hectares of subtidal seagrass meadows across Falmouth Bay, alongside the restoration of intertidal seagrass and the native oyster population. It’s a truly exciting milestone for OCT and a testament to what inter-organisation collaboration can achieve for our marine ecosystems. Further along in this issue, Ocean Discovery Ranger Lucy Luck, explores the growing importance of citizen science and how small observations can make a hugely meaningful contribution to marine conservation. In addition, Owen Town-Smith highlights how the National Marine Aquarium is helping tackle marine litter through its role as one of Plymouth’s CleanupUK Hubs, with plenty of ways for you to get involved yourself. You’ll also discover how our Learning Team has expanded its reach through a bonza year of virtual engagement, bringing Ocean education to audiences
2 | the ocean conservationist
of all ages, far beyond the walls of the aquarium. We also catch up with former Blue Meadows intern Jazz Gardiner, whose journey from intern to Seagrass Aquaculture Technician is an inspiring one! Finally, we end on a creative note with an interview with Wilfred Couldrick, the composer behind the National Marine Aquarium’s immersive soundscape. Their music demonstrates that connecting people with the Ocean isn’t always just about what you can see, it’s also about what you can hear and what you can feel. Whether you’re interested in conservation careers, community action, habitat restoration, or the varying ways in which people connect with marine life, I hope you’ll find something in these pages that reminds you why our Ocean is worth protecting.
Alistair Gardiner, Ocean Conservation Trust
Contact us info@oceanconservationtrust.org 01752 717294 @OceanConservationTrust @OceanConservationTrust Ocean Conservation Trust and b Inspiring a global movement to promote and encourage a wave of positive behaviour towards our Ocean. Charity Number 1032491.
Contents 04.
A Day In The Life Of: Sophia By Sophia Randriamampionona, Fundraising Administrator, Ocean Conservation Trust.
06.
How To Become An Aquarium Curator Emma Whittle, Curator, National Marine Aquarium (Ocean Conservation Trust)
10.
Mor Nature Using a massive £1.8 million in funding, OCT’s Blue Meadows programme is embarking on the largest subtidal seagrass restoration project the UK has ever seen.
16.
The Importance Of Citizen Science By Lucy Luck, Ocean Discovery Ranger, Ocean Conservation Trust
20.
Keeping The Coast Clear By Owen Town-Smith, Community Support Officer, Ocean Conservation Trust
22.
Going Digital – The Year Of Virtual Engagements! By Georgia Wallis, Learning Officer, Ocean Conservation Trust
24.
Reflections From An Alumnus Jazz Gardiner, Seagrass Aquaculture Technician & Blue Meadows Volunteer Coordinator at Ocean Conservation Trust
28.
A Soundscape For A Sea Scape How a music student landed the opportunity of providing the National Marine Aquarium with part of its soundtrack
Our magazine is now available as a digital version! We understand that many of you may still prefer to receive the paper copy through the post. However, if you’d be happy to help us be a little more sustainable, then scan here to go digital-only for future editions.
If you’d like to try before you decide, scan here for a digital version.
#thinkOcean | 3
A Day In The Life Of:
By Sophia Randriamampionona, Fundraising Administrator, Ocean Co What does a typical day in the life of a Fundraising Administrator look like? I start by checking and replying to emails. Then I might do some research into and write relevant grant applications. Following that, I’ll do some data management on one of the digital platforms we use to keep up with GDPR. The rest of the day can be filled with team meetings or project meetings with other departments such as Marketing and Communications, or I may be required to join in with introduction meetings with corporates to discuss partnerships.
How did you get into your job/field of work? I started my career in fundraising through an apprenticeship with Ocean Conservation Trust. This allowed me to learn while working and get direct experience in this field of work.
What are the main challenges of your job? Grant rejections. Plus, adapting to ever-changing external factors that affect fundraising activities, like the development of A.I. or changes to social media.
What’s the secret to successfully raising funds for a cause that not everyone is aware of, or thinks is important? Getting the opportunity to introduce people to a new and important environmental cause like seagrass conservation is something that we, as fundraisers, can capitalise on.
4 | the ocean conservationist
Being able to raise awareness and engage people with a cause that is new to them means that we are reaching new audiences.
What is your biggest accomplishment as a fundraiser? Contributing to our successful grant application for the Metstrade DAME Design Awards which resulted in the OCT being their Charity of the Year and also being awarded £20k. This successful application led to lots of exposure for OCT.
What inspires you to keep working in your field? I have always cared for and been passionate about environmental causes, so working in a job where you’re raising money for such an important cause and are surrounded by like-minded people who also care for the environment, motivates me to progress in the environmental fundraising field.
What is your top tip to protect the Ocean? To me, it is important to keep the Ocean and the planet at the centre of my everyday decisions. This could be things as little as turning off running water when brushing your teeth, picking up litter that you come across on the beach or even just talking with friends and family and making people aware of what is happening in the Ocean and things we can do to help, like donate to Ocean charities. Being conscious and making small changes makes more of a difference than you think.
Sophia
onservation Trust
“ To me, it is important to keep the Ocean and the planet at the centre of my everyday decisions.”
#thinkOcean | 5
How To Become
An Aquarium Emma Whittle, Curator, National Marine Aquarium (Ocean Conservation Trust)
6 | the ocean conservationist
How did you first get interested in marine biology? When I was 11 years old, my family and I visited Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida. As well as seeing a preserved giant squid, an incredible aquarium, and many other amazing marine artifacts, we also did a “Sea Life Encounter” boat cruise and got to see some extraordinary marine animals. I asked our boat guide what his job was, and was told “I’m a marine biologist” and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Can you detail the experiences, studying, and jobs that led you to your current position as Curator? My A-levels were all taken with a mind to study marine biology at university – I studied biology, chemistry and psychology. I was thrilled to get accepted to the University of Plymouth to study marine biology. During my degree, I took part in multiple field trips, both in the UK and abroad, qualified as a professional SCUBA diver, qualified as a recreational Dive Leader, volunteered in the ecology lab maintaining the marine systems and looking after the aquatic animals there. I volunteered for dive surveys for third-year students and master students, and subsequently volunteered as a diver at the National Marine Aquarium. This led to me undertaking an internship at a public aquarium after I graduated, which was my entry into the industry.
Did you always want to become an aquarium Curator? I never dreamed I would one day be Curator of the National Marine Aquarium. Whilst studying for my degree I was exposed to so many different opportunities within the huge field of marine biology – research, field work, science communication, lab work... It was honestly a bit overwhelming! I took up every opportunity for volunteering that I could find, to have a go at as many things as I could. Initially I started working in aquariums as they have such a wonderful range of taxa – and I could learn more about what intrigued and excited me.
Were there any “turning point” moments that, in retrospect, were significant or important in terms of you becoming a Curator? A huge turning point was when I was offered the position as Assistant Curator when I was 29 years old. It was a job I had never considered looking at; I hadn’t even applied for it! For a while I had imposter syndrome - what was little-old-me doing helping run the National Marine Aquarium? But my line manager (and predecessor) had seen “something” in me. And, with his guidance and faith in my abilities, this gave me the confidence to continue to learn and grow into the position.
um Curator #thinkOcean | 7
8 | the ocean conservationist
What does being an aquarium Curator involve? Being a Curator of an aquarium involves so many different facets: overseeing the animal collection, developing exhibits, managing staff, supporting conservation, coordinating research, ensuring regulatory compliance, and helping shape the aquarium’s long term vision. None of this work is done in isolation and I couldn’t do it without the incredible team I work with.
What does a typical day look like? In animal husbandry there is no such thing as a typical day!
What are the most challenging aspects of being a Curator? The most challenging aspect is getting all the pieces and players to align to complete a project. When you have several people working together but everyone has different priorities, it can be a bit like herding cats! Deadlines often get moved so sometimes it can feel like one step forward and two steps back, but that just makes it that much more rewarding when it all comes together.
What are the most rewarding aspects? Working with such a passionate group of people, and knowing that, together, we are having a positive impact on the Ocean. Whether that is inspiring some to recycle more, or visit the beach, or even study marine biology - it all adds up to a big change.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to do what you do? Get involved! Join a beach clean, go rockpooling, or volunteer with a local animal charity, zoo, or aquarium. If you want to work with animals, hands-on experience is invaluable and will help you develop the practical skills and knowledge needed for the role. For those interested in aquariums specifically, take the time to learn about life support systems, filtration, and water chemistry. These are fundamental aspects of aquarium management and are critical to maintaining healthy aquatic environments, which often require specialist knowledge beyond that which is needed for terrestrial animal care. It’s also important to recognise that being a Curator involves much more than working directly with animals. Curators wear many hats: scientist, animal care expert, conservationist, educator, manager, and leader. Developing a broad range of skills and experiences will help prepare you for the diverse and rewarding challenges of the role.
#thinkOcean | 9
Mor Nature 10 | the ocean conservationist
Using a massive £1.8 million in funding, OCT’s Blue Meadows programme is embarking on the largest subtidal seagrass restoration project the UK has ever seen. This year, Ocean Conservation Trust are undertaking our biggest restoration project to date. After being awarded £1.4 million from DEFRA’s Species Recovery Fund, along with funding from a number of other sources, OCT will be restoring 10 hectares of subtidal seagrass meadows across Falmouth Bay, between Swanpool and Pendennis Castle. These efforts are part of a wider project called Mor Nature (Mor is the Cornish language word for “sea”), which also includes restoring a stretch of intertidal seagrass meadows and the native oyster population in the area.
3 Years, 3 Species! With funding from a variety of sources totalling £1.8 million, Mor Nature will see OCT partner with Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Falmouth Harbour, Cornwall Council, and Falmouth Marine Conservation Group, among others. This will be the first seascape conservation project to take place in Cornwall – the term seascape here refers to the fact that the project is attempting to restore not just a single species but an entire interconnected marine ecosystem. This isn’t like tending to a single flower; Mor Nature represents the holistic cultivation of an entire underwater garden, nurturing the relationships between interdependent species and habitats that will allow a plethora of marine life to thrive. Over three years, this partnership will aim to restore two species of seagrass (one subtidal, one intertidal), and a native oyster population. By rebuilding this ecosystem, partners are aiming to support a multitude of other species, by providing habitats for the likes of spider crabs, seahorses, cuttlefish, bass, sharks, and many others.
Why seagrass is so important This isn’t just about marine life, it’s about life above the surface too. Seagrass meadows benefit humans in a range of ways – scientists refer to these as “environmental services.” Seagrasses serve as nursery grounds for many commercially caught fish species, supporting local fisheries and boosting the economies of coastal communities. They protect our coastlines by stabilising the seabed and reducing wave energy, which helps to mitigate coastal erosion. And they act as a hugely effective carbon store, locking away vast amounts of carbon beneath the seabed, which can help tackle climate change. In addition, seagrasses have been shown to filter excess nutrients, improve clarity and reduce the presence of harmful bacteria from the surrounding waters by up to 50%. Their root system helps to anchor sediments, reducing turbidity, whilst their leaves soak up nutrients, nitrogen and pollutants from the water.
#thinkOcean | 11
In short: increasing the abundance of seagrass contributes to improved water quality. Swimmers and paddleboarders at Gylly Beach will certainly notice the difference! In recent years various studies have highlighted the societal importance of seagrass, including one published in Ambio Journal in March 2025. The authors of that study wrote that this explains why communities often cluster in areas where historically seagrass meadows have flourished. “The proximity to seagrass meadows has fostered cultural, spiritual and provisioning relationships with seagrass throughout human history and has led to seagrass featuring across human societies from past to present,” the study states. “Historically, seagrass meadows, and the seagrass species that occupy them, have been used for a variety of applications ranging from food resources, industrial materials and medicines to rituals and customs” Since the 1930s, however, the UK has lost nearly 50% of its seagrass meadows, and global declines are estimated at 7% each year. Within the Fal and Helford Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a recent assessment has shown that the subtidal seagrasses are in a poor state. One of the biggest challenges facing subtidal seagrass meadows is the fact they’re rarely visible to most of the public, and most, if not all, traditional knowledge of seagrass has been lost. This is one of the reasons why Ocean habitat restoration is one of the most underfunded areas of conservation – which makes this project all the more significant!
“ In short: increasing the abundance of seagrass contributes to improved water quality. Swimmers and paddleboarders at Gylly Beach will certainly notice the difference!”
12 | the ocean conservationist
Government targets OCT isn’t alone in acknowledging the importance of seagrass. In December 2025, the UK government published its Environment Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025, which listed a series of ecological commitments. Commitment number 13 is “By 2043, increase saltmarsh by 15% compared to 2009 levels, seagrass by 15% compared to 2024 levels and create functional oyster reef habitat at ecosystem scales in 5 to 8 suitable English water bodies.” The EIP notes that seagrass meadows are important carbon stores, protect against flooding, provide nursing grounds for various marine species, and improve water quality.
“ Nature provides essential services that underpin healthy and prosperous lives, including the food, water, resources, and the places we enjoy. Our plants, wildlife, and fungi rely on naturally functioning, well connected habitats and ecosystems,” the EIP states. The government has pointed to DEFRA as taking lead responsibility for “restoring, recovering and enhancing priority habitats such as seagrass,” which is why the department is providing the bulk of the funding for OCT’s work on the project. Of course, Mor Nature will only scratch the surface of this 15% restoration target, which would require an estimated 500-600 hectares of seagrass restoration across the whole of the UK. But a big part of OCT’s mission is to be on the vanguard of restoring this habitat. The hope is that this project will lead to a vast scaling up in restoration efforts not just in the Southwest, but across the country.
#thinkOcean | 13
A full circle project for OCT OCT’s primary marine conservation programme, Blue Meadows, is focused on the protection and regeneration of seagrass meadows. OCT’s involvement in Mor Nature represents a homecoming of sorts for the programme; in 2022 this stretch of Falmouth coast between Swanpool and Pendennis Castle (which sits within the Fal and Helford SAC) became the first ever Blue Meadows site with the installation of Sensitive Habitat Marker Buoys and the implementation of Voluntary No Anchor Zones. Today, there are 32 buoys in place protecting the area, which is about to become the site of the largest seagrass restoration project in British history. While in-water activities have only just begun, preparation for the project has been ongoing for years. Over this past winter, OCT handplanted more than 21,000 seagrass seeds in the National Seagrass Nursery; these seedlings will be transplanted into the restoration site as adult plants over this summer. OCT will also be using its innovative HMS OCToPUS seeding device to inject seeds directly into the seabed.
14 | the ocean conservationist
A difficult job Of the £1.8 million that’s funding Mor Nature, roughly half a million has been granted by National Grid Electricity Transmission for a sub-project called AMPERES (Automating Marine Plant Ecosystem Restoration for Energy Supply). This project will focus on trailing various systems that aim to automate the restoration of seagrass meadows so that conservation like this can take place more quickly, efficiently, and at a far greater scale than ever before. Partners on the project include Land and Water Services Limited, Robocean and DNV, all of which have developed technology that could be completely game changing. Given that OCT has been restoring seagrass meadows for over a decade now, we consider ourselves to be on the frontier of seagrass restoration. But Mor Nature represents a huge step-up, even for us. “This is what we do, we’ve done it many times,” said Andy Cameron, OCT’s Conservation Project Manager. “But Falmouth was always going to be bigger and harder. We’re going for big scale; we’re going to try to do ten hectares overall. Historically, four hectares is the upper limit of what we’ve done at a site.” Andy explained that seagrass restoration is always a logistical difficulty, Mor Nature is proving to be a real test of OCT’s mettle. When working on a meadow restoration, OCT has two methods, both of which involve sending divers underwater. Either seeds are injected directly into the seabed, or they grow the plants at the National Seagrass Nursery (NSN, located on the River Dart) and then transport the plants to be inserted into the Ocean floor. Both of these methods involve the tricky coordination of boat hire, diver scheduling, planning when the tides are right, and hoping that inclement weather doesn’t throw the whole plan off the rails. Mor Nature is presenting additional layers of complication. “When we do this stuff, we often joke that it’s like playing 4D chess,” he said. “This is like playing 4D chess on steroids.” First there’s the matter of transporting the plants from the NSN down to Falmouth. The plants are grown on large hessian mats for roughly five months. These mats are then loaded into stillages, which are placed onto lorries. For this to work, the OCT team was forced to develop a whole new system to keep the plants hydrated during the long journey, which involves sprinklers and multiple changes of battery mid-journey. Once they’re out on the boat, the stillages are lowered into the water with a crane, before divers open them up and install the mats on the seabed.
[AG1]Societal value of seagrass from historical to contemporary perspectives | Ambio | Springer Nature Link [AG2]Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025 - GOV.UK
“It’s laborious, because it’s heavy, even underwater,” Andy said. “On top of the physical difficulty, there’s also the aspect of visibility. When we’ve done this in the past at Jennycliff or even at St. Mary’s, as soon as you’re shuffling the seagrass out of the trays and onto the seabed, you can barely see your hand in front of your face.” “We’ve always got the additional complication of the weather and the wind, but, because Falmouth is more of an open coast site than Jennycliff, there’s more swell,” Andy continued. “As soon as that wind swings around to the South and over to the East, that swell really picks up.” All of which is to say: this is a tough job! The team intends to transplant 100 mats this year, followed by another 900 mats over the following two years. And that’s not even the half of it; labour-intensive seed injection makes up the bulk of the planned 10 hectares. This is where the AMPERES project comes in. OCT will be trialling two machines: the Meadow Maker, and the Automatic Seagrass Planter (ASP). The hope is that these machines, which are essentially underwater robots, can transplant seagrass quicker and at a larger scale than divers currently can. The ASP, for example, should be able to transplant 64 pre-grown plants at once. “We’re right at the forefront of this. We’re trying all the time to think about the best ways to do it,” Andy said. “This stuff is not easy. There’s a reason why not many people do it. And there’s a long way to go before more people can do it, or it can be done at scale. We’re learning lessons the hard way, in the hopes that we can scale – and in the hopes that more people can join the party.”
A healthier future for the Ocean – and for us! Planting and seeding seagrass is just the beginning. There will be a further two years of monitoring and continued research to better understand these important ecosystems and assess the ecological impacts of the restoration. In the meantime, partners have been working closely with local communities throughout the project to raise awareness of these habitats and ensure long term stewardship in the area. Over this summer, a range of community engagement events will offer opportunities for the community to get involved with the project. These will include citizen science initiatives, Snorkel Safaris and collaborative community events designed to connect communities with seagrass habitats. We at OCT are so proud to be part of the vanguard of intrepid scientists and advocates protecting and restoring this beautiful habitat. And all of us hope the ripples of this project will be felt far and wide.
#thinkOcean | 15
Anyone Can Become a Citizen Scientist! Imagine, you’re walking along the beach after a storm. Beachcombing through the seaweed, shells and rocks, you spot what looks like a small black leather purse. Out of curiosity, you pick it up and discover it’s not litter at all, it’s the egg case of a shark! You take a photo, record where you found it, and upload your observation online. It takes just a few minutes. But that single record could help scientists better understand shark populations, identify important breeding areas, and contribute to the conservation of species facing an uncertain future. In that moment, you’ve become what is known as a citizen scientist. Anyone can become a citizen scientist – you don’t need a science degree, specialist equipment or years of research experience. Citizen scientists come from every walk of life, families exploring the coast, dog walkers, paddleboarders, divers, students, retirees, and holidaymakers.
By volunteering their time to record observations, collect data and share discoveries, they become part of real scientific research. Together, thousands of small observations become something much bigger. Scientists can’t be everywhere at once. Our coastlines stretch for thousands of miles, species move across vast Oceans and habitats change every single day. Citizen science allows researchers to gather information on a scale that would otherwise be impossible, creating huge datasets that help answer some of the biggest questions in marine conservation. This partnership between scientists and the public doesn’t just advance research, it transforms it. Citizen science broadens scientific knowledge, helps researchers investigate local conservation priorities, and strengthens trust between science and society.
The Importance Of Taking part in citizen science encourages people to spend more time outdoors, connect with nature and discover the incredible wildlife living on their doorstep. Research has shown that spending time in blue spaces can improve wellbeing (referred to as Blue Mind Theory) while learning about wildlife often inspires people to take positive action to protect it. Although the phrase citizen science feels modern, the idea itself has been around for decades. Public participation in scientific research grew rapidly during the 1970s as researchers recognised the value of involving communities in environmental monitoring and conservation. By the 1990s, the term citizen science had become widely used, and today millions of volunteers contribute to projects across the world.
16 | the ocean conservationist
Ci
Every Observation Tells a Story Our Ocean is changing rapidly, climate change, habitat loss, pollution and overfishing are putting increasing pressure on marine life. Scientists need accurate, longterm data to understand these changes, but collecting that information across such vast environments is an enormous challenge. That’s where citizen scientists can step in and make an extraordinary difference. Every photograph uploaded, each wildlife sighting recorded, and each observation becomes another piece of a much larger scientific puzzle, helping scientists build a clearer picture of the health of our Ocean. The data collected can help identify important habitats, monitor species distributions, support Marine Protected Areas, contribute evidence for threatened species assessments such as the IUCN Red List and CITES, and provide policymakers with the scientific evidence needed to protect our seas.
itizen
Science By Lucy Luck, Ocean Discovery Ranger, Ocean Conservation Trust
#thinkOcean | 17
A Small Eggcase with a Big Impact One of the best examples of citizen science in action is The Shark Trust’s Great Eggcase Hunt. It’s a project that started in 2003 from the chance discovery of a shark eggcase on a beach in Devon. That single find sparked an idea: what if thousands of people searched beaches and recorded the eggcases they found? Today, what started as one discovery has grown into a global citizen science project with more than 600,000 eggcases recorded. The aim of their project is simple: volunteers search beaches for the eggcases of sharks, skates and rays, often called mermaid’s purses, and record where they find them. Those individual records allow scientists to understand where different species lay their eggs, how breeding areas may be changing, and where conservation efforts should be focused. This information has never been more important. More than one-third of all shark and ray species are now threatened with extinction. Without research, we cannot fully understand the pressures they face. Without evidence, we cannot make informed conservation decisions. Every eggcase found is another clue and every volunteer becomes part of the solution.
18 | the ocean conservationist
Protecting Our Underwater Meadows Citizen science doesn’t only help us understand sharks. Here at Ocean Conservation Trust, we work alongside Blue Meadows on our own citizen science project: the Blue Meadows Coastal Count. Seagrass meadows are among the most important habitats in our seas. Hidden beneath the water’s surface, they provide nursery grounds for countless marine species, improve water quality, capture carbon and help protect our coastlines. They’re also beautiful places where people come to paddleboard, swim, kayak, walk and simply enjoy being by the sea. But to protect these habitats, we first need to understand how people use them. That’s where the coastal count comes in. By recording the recreational activities taking place around seagrass meadows, volunteers provide valuable information that helps us better understand the relationship between people and these important habitats. It’s a simple way for anyone to contribute to marine conservation. No laboratory, no specialist training, and no scuba diving required. Just curiosity, observation, and a willingness to help. Every record submitted helps us build a clearer picture of how seagrass meadows are used across the South West and supports decisions that will benefit wildlife, the climate, and local communities.
Your Story Starts Here Here at the National Marine Aquarium, home to Ocean Conservation Trust, we encourage visitors to become part of these growing communities of citizen scientists. During our daily shark talks, you’ll discover the incredible stories behind shark eggcases and learn how you can take part in The Shark Trust’s Great Eggcase Hunt. You can even see our collection of mermaid’s purses, including the distinctive eggcase of a Port Jackson shark. You’ll also discover how to get involved with our Blue Meadows Coastal Count, helping us better understand and protect the UK’s precious seagrass meadows. Every great scientific discovery begins with a question, sometimes it begins with a walk along the beach, sometimes it begins with looking a little closer at the world around you and sometimes, it begins with you. Everyone can become a citizen scientist, and every observation has the power to make a real difference.
#thinkOcean | 19
Keeping The
Coast Clear We here at the National Marine Aquarium are one of the four Hubs for CleanupUK in Plymouth! This means that anybody at any time during the opening hours of the aquarium can borrow our litter picking equipment for free. It’s an excellent way to help out the local environment by collecting litter and stopping it from finding its way into Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and the wider Ocean. Ocean Conservation Trust also host a group litter pick towards the end of each month. We meet outside of the National Marine Aquarium by the gift shop at 11:00am, where everyone gets handed their equipment and given a rundown of the guidelines (what we can and can’t pick up, as certain objects need specialists – though we do make them aware of the location). We litter pick for an hour and a half, making our way towards Teat’s Hill park and down on to the beach. There is a lot that can be found on the way, especially after a storm!
20 | the ocean conservationist
By Owen TownSmith, Community Support Officer, Ocean Conservation Trust
Some of the stranger finds were a push chair on the beach, a tent discarded in a bush, and even a baby doll toy. Ghost gear and plastic litter is something we collect quite a bit of on the beach as well; because of its location, litter and pollution tend to wash up here. After the litter pick, we head back to the aquarium where we share biscuits and hot drinks. Events end at 1:00 pm. These litter picks are a great way to meet like-minded people who want to protect their local environment, and learn about the different types of pollution, and the things we can do to be more Ocean-friendly. If you would like to get in touch with us about our litter picks, or borrowing our equipment, you can email us at community@oceanconservationtrust.org, or visit our Cleanup Hub website: www.cleanupuk.org.uk/hubs/ ocean-conservation-trust-national-marine-aquarium If you would like to sign up to our monthly litter picks, you can do so at the National Marine Aquarium website.
Dispatch from a litter pick! By Lucy Luck, Ocean Discovery Ranger, Ocean Conservation Trust We were joined by Annabelle and Alice from The Eden Project, volunteers from Plymouth University, myself and Surabhi from OCT. We met outside the NMA and walked along the path to Teat’s Hill where we did a litter pick, collecting glass bottles, food packaging, plastic plants, ghost gear and a baby toy. We ventured onto the beach to extend the clean, before circling back to the aquarium. We collected 4 rubbish bags ready for Plymouth City Council to collect. We also came across a keel bone from a gull! What was great about the session was the collaboration and team work to pick up a wide variety of litter and learning from one another about the different types of pollution from boat litter to fishing gear litter. We also had the opportunity to talk about the work each organisation is doing in terms of public engagement and community outreach, share ideas and potential for future collaborations. What was particularly great was working together on a shared passion to protect and clean the Ocean, which encouraged us all to get outside and meet new people. We also learnt about The Eden Projects Positivi-Tea programme where they encourage people to share a cup of tea together and connect, which is exactly what we did at the end of the session! We shared tea and coffee to discuss what we found and de-brief the day.
#thinkOcean | 21
Going Digital – The Year of Virtual Engagements! By Georgia Wallis, Learning Officer, Ocean Conservation Trust This year has seen an exciting expansion of our digital education events. Our Learning team are proud to have partnered with a range of external organisations to deliver seven virtual engagements, reaching thousands of learners across the UK and beyond. Even better, every session was offered completely free of charge, helping to make Ocean education as accessible as possible. Our digital journey began in March with World Book Day, celebrating the 2026 theme Reading for Fun. We created a pre-recorded session (hosted by me!) in which viewers met staff from the National Marine Aquarium, all dressed in Ocean attire, to learn about their careers in engineering, public engagement, seagrass restoration and animal husbandry. Alongside sharing how they enjoy reading for pleasure, each team member read an Ocean-themed story about Hulk the Hermit Crab and his Ocean pollution dilemma. Putting this session together was a lot of fun for our team and a great opportunity to showcase opportunities for reading in real world contexts. Additionally, incorporating careers into a session aimed at younger primary-aged learners provided a valuable opportunity to introduce a wide range of future pathways. We are delighted that the session has since been viewed 100 times so far.
22 | the ocean conservationist
Following World Book Day, we hosted a live virtual careers panel in partnership with the Green Visions Project, run by the Devon, Plymouth & Torbay Careers Hub. Led by Learning Officer Jess, the panel showcased the breadth of marine science careers across our organisation. Speakers discussed the skills, qualifications, responsibilities and rewarding aspects of their roles, with the aim of inspiring the next generation to explore opportunities within the marine sector. The panel really enjoyed supporting the team on this and the session attracted a live audience of more than 500 viewers. Next came our two-part livestream for British Science Week, with separate sessions tailored to primary and secondary audiences. This year’s theme, ‘Curiosity: What’s Your Question?’, encouraged learners to submit their most thought-provoking questions about the Ocean. Hosted by our Learning Team (Becky, Georgia, Jess and Stu), we answered these questions live, sparking fascinating discussions and plenty of wonder.
Some of our favourite questions included, “If we can’t see air as we walk through it, can fish see water as they swim through it?” and “How do we know when sea creatures are endangered or extinct when the Ocean is so vast?”. Across both sessions, more than 5,700 people tuned in to celebrate curiosity and explore the mysteries of the deep blue. As summer approached, our digital programme continued with three major collaborations. Stu and Becky in our Learning Team delivered a live session as part of the World Ocean Day for Schools assembly. The event was streamed to an international audience, with 50,840 children watching live across 134 countries and territories, with resources in 4 languages. Shortly after, to celebrate World Ocean Day and Great Big Green Week, Becky (OCT) co-hosted an online lesson in partnership with WWF, featuring special guest Steve Backshall. Steve delivered from beneath the water of our aquarium Eddystone habitat, meeting local species of fish, sharks, rays and eels in real time.
Available to both schools and home educators, the session inspired learners to connect with the wildlife found on their own doorstep and explore behind the scenes of the National Marine Aquarium. Our digital marathon concluded with a collaboration with Chester Zoo. Learning Officer Jess and Biologist James recorded a segment exploring local marine life, which formed part of one of Chester Zoo’s live educational lessons, helping to engage even more learners with the wonders of the Ocean. By offering all these sessions free of charge, our learning team have been able to extend its reach far beyond the South-West, making Ocean education more accessible to schools, families and communities across the UK and internationally. Collectively, these virtual engagements have been a tremendous success, enabling us to connect with new audiences, inspire curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of our Ocean.
#thinkOcean | 23
24 | the ocean conservationist
Inside the Blue Meadows Internship:
Reflections From An Alumnus Jazz Gardiner, Seagrass Aquaculture Technician & Blue Meadows Volunteer Coordinator at Ocean Conservation Trust Here at Blue Meadows, we’re always getting questions about our internship program. So we sat down with Jazz Gardiner, who completed an internship with us recently, to hear about what she experienced in her own words.
When did you do your internship? I did a micro-internship over Easter 2023, and then did a placement year from September 2023 to May 2024.
We asked her what she got up to, what she learned from the experience, and where the internship has taken her since. Read on to find out more:
How did you find out about the internship? I originally applied to the ReMEDIES / Blue Meadows micro-internship that ran for two weeks over the easter holidays in 2023, which I saw advertised on the university careers site. At the time, Blue Meadows weren’t offering any full-time placement year internships, but I was so interested in the restoration work being done that I reached out and asked if I could potentially join the team as an intern for the year. To my delight, I was called in a few weeks later and told that due to the team being impressed with my attitude during the micro-internship, that they would be happy to take me on for a long-term internship during my placement year. And that was how my journey with Blue Meadows started.
Can you explain what your internship entailed? What were you tasked with? What did you get involved in? I was part of the cultivation team so my main role included cultivating seagrass plants in the National Seagrass Nursery and at the seagrass lab for restoration purposes. As part of this, I maintained the seed storage, monitored plant growth, tested chlorophyll fluorescence and organised the volunteers that we had helping us. I also ran an experiment in partnership with the university on the carbon content of St Austell Bay’s seagrass meadow which I went on to write my dissertation on.
#thinkOcean | 25
What was the most memorable moment or moments from the internship?
Has the internship helped you in your career so far? If yes, can you explain how?
Definitely the boat work, because I absolutely loved it despite some very challenging conditions (it even snowed when we were on the boat once!). I was always up to my elbows in agar during the early stages of the HMS OCTuPUS deployments which I think myself and the team found very amusing.
My internship with Blue Meadows has DEFINITELY helped me in my career as it was what led me into joining the team as a full time Seagrass Aquaculture Technician. It gave me the opportunity to learn what skills and qualities I needed to do my job to the absolute best of my ability and contribute something meaningful to the project, all while I was still studying. Thanks to my internship here, I left university with a really good understanding of practical working environments which I could apply my theoretical knowledge to.
What did you gain from the internship? Before starting my internship, I really didn’t know all that much about seagrass or truly appreciate it, as it wasn’t covered very extensively in the first year of my degree. During my internship, I not only gained an extensive biological and ecological knowledge of seagrass beds but also hands-on experience into how they are being restored. I was given a lot of responsibility in the lab which really helped me to develop independence in managing my own workload. My confidence in public engagement and communication skyrocketed and my own passion for seagrass ecosystems grew and that is something that I have carried into the start of my career.
26 | the ocean conservationist
How did you financially support yourself during your internship? I needed to self-fund my living expenses whilst I was on the placement, from money I had put aside for a placement year. I understand that for some, that is inaccessible and they may need some kind of income / job during that time, so it’s nice that the internship hours are flexible to allow for that. I do think however, that it is really important to discuss funding internships to allow them to be more accessible.
What would you say to anyone who’s considering the internship? That it is definitely an incredible thing to do if you love seagrass ecosystems and aspire to work in marine restoration and conservation, especially if you’re keen to get stuck into practical work. It can be challenging at times as is any conservation project that depends heavily on environmental variables (which constantly love to change), but it is so rewarding and an amazing project to be a part of! I am so proud to be part of such a dedicated team and think anyone coming for the internship would love that too.
#thinkOcean | 27
A Soundscape
A Sea
How a music s the opportuni the National M with part of it 28 | the ocean conservationist
e For
ascape
student landed ity of providing Marine Aquarium ts soundtrack
When you wander around the National Marine Aquarium (home of Ocean Conservation Trust) looking at all the magical marine animals housed in the various habitats, you probably won’t even notice that people have guided your experience in a very specific way. One of these people is Wilfred “Wilf” Couldrick, who composed and produced some of the ambient music that you can hear in the aquarium. “I’ve been coming to this aquarium ever since I can remember,” Wilf said, in a recent interview with Ocean Conservation Trust. “It was always the best day out, whenever my parents took me. I remember growing up, I could see more and more as I got taller. It was always a dream to get involved with the aquarium.” Wilf’s dream became reality during a visit to the aquarium on their eighteenth birthday, for which their parents gifted them a Snorkel with the Sharks experience. “I was in the tank with my dad and my mum got talking to Marcus [Williams, then-Curator for NMA]. They mentioned they were having some problems with the sound system and the music, and my mum mentioned that I was doing music in college,” Wilf said. “And I really loved making music, especially for stuff like this: ambiance and the enhancement of the experience.” Eager to take up the challenge, Wilf returned to NMA to meet with Marcus and discuss the project further. The two hashed out some ideas while walking around the aquarium and, freshly energised by what they had seen and chatted about, Wilf decided to take on the task both for the reallife application in the NMA and as their dissertation project at college, where they were studying music.
How to write marine-based music To start composing, Wilf split up the aquarium into distinct zones along with transition areas like corridors. Each zone would have its own distinct sound and feeling – and the music was directly inspired by the habitat it would be accompanying. “I wanted to base the music and the frequencies on the pelagic zones of the Ocean,” Wilf explained. “So the lower you go down in the Ocean, the lower the frequencies would get; and the higher you go, the higher they would get.” Speaking with OCT, Wilf broke down how they went about designing the music featured in the Great Barrier Reef section of the aquarium. They started by creating a “sparkly” sound, because that sonically mimics the experience of snorkelling around a coral reef. “I wanted that to reflect the ripples in the water and the reflections on the sand. And how when you look up when you’re snorkelling, you can see the sun sparkling through the water,” Wilf said. “So I used a bell, then added a chord over it, then made the chord repeat in different patterns going up and down. Then I started adding layers of synthesizers to warm it up a bit, and create a more cohesive sound.” #thinkOcean | 29
“I wanted to base the music and the fre Ocean,” Wilf explained. “So the lower yo frequencies would get; and the higher
Following that, Wilf wrote some gentle melodies for a string section, before finishing the piece with some light percussive elements along with actual coral reef-based sound effects – including the sounds of fish, rushing water, bubbles, etc. “I think there’s even a sound effect of someone snorkelling in the background,” Wilf said. “It just makes it feel like you’re part of the tank – like you’re swimming through it, and able to hear the fish and the sounds of movement. It’s about creating an immersive piece.”
A meeting of music and science In their dissertation, Wilf wrote about selecting instruments (pads, pianos, bells) that lend themselves to a “meditative nature,” with the aim of creating a calm soundscape. They note that by using reverb and echo, they wanted their soundscapes to make the spaces feel bigger, “like you really are in a vast and deep Ocean.” Wilf largely wrote in major keys with the aim of making the vast expanses of water seem less like “something to be scared of and more something to be treasured and explored.”
30 | the ocean conservationist
Wilf also employed more obscure musical techniques, some that, while based in science, verge into the mystical. One example of this is a specific frequency known as “the miracle sound.” In their dissertation, Wilf writes that various studies have shown that listening to a 528Hz frequency has a significant physiological effect on people. Listening to the frequency was found to reduce the presence of reactive oxidative species in the brain, which in turn can lower risks of neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. The frequency was also found to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which in turn induces a sense of calm in the listener. “This study was carried out with neurotypical people, but later studies present significant benefits for children with ADHD and autism,” Wilf wrote. “These children often have challenges with sensory input and anxiety causing their lives to be a lot more difficult to live than others.”
Music for heart and mind Wilf told OCT that it may seem hard for some people to come up with music for a setting where music is normally
equencies on the pelagic zones of the ou go down in the Ocean, the lower the er you go, the higher they would get.”
absent. For them, however, it came naturally – they’d been doing it their whole life “Because I’m neurodiverse, whenever I see things that don’t normally have sound – like the deep Ocean or space – I find in my mind that they should have a sound,” Wilf said. “I just figure out what feels right to me.” They noted that their love of nature documentaries likely influenced this. They spent their youth watching programmes where sounds had been added to animals and scenes where sound might be more muted or even impossible, citing the sound effects often tagged on to footage of jellyfish as an example. “It took me 10 years to realise that jellyfish don’t actually make noises, and it’s just a creative choice,” Wilf said. “I realised after that, you can really put anything over anything – it’s just about what fits.” Part of this was thinking about the effect water might have on sound . In their dissertation, Wilf notes that they created a curve in the EQ when mastering one of the pieces, which allows the main frequencies to cut through and “make the piece sound less like a recording and more
like you’re actually under the water.” With some of the compositions, Wilf attempted to create a soundscape that matched the temperament of the habitat. “This would be playing in a section of the aquarium that is like a glass tunnel, where you can look up into the tank” Wilf wrote. “I want the music to reflect the weight and warmth of the vast amount of water above you, the water feeling like a huge weighted blanket.” While Wilf clearly put a lot of thought and theory into their compositions, ultimately the music became about the feelings it provokes. Their main aim became “a sense of calm”. “I feel like a lot of things to do with the Ocean are calming. There’s also a level of excitement. Especially because it’s not something that a lot of people can experience. You can’t really experience something like this unless you go snorkelling or something,” Wilf said. “I just wanted to create a memorable experience for people who would not normally experience this, and let them be able to live in this world, even just for a day, which is really magical.”
#thinkOcean | 31
#think
oceanconservationtrust.org