Getting Involved

Do you want to help your local marine life, but are unsure how you can make a difference? Whether you live within the middle of Derbyshire or on the coast of Suffolk there is always something you can do to help. By doing just one thing, you CAN make a difference. 

Just 'do one thing', that's all it takes:

• Getting outside - Take some time out and discover your local marine life. Why not take a trip to your local coastline and discover what's around you. Look in a rockpool, go for a walk or just sit and have an ice cream watching the waves roll in. Discover what's out there and why it's important, discover its value to you. Why not discover one of The Wildlife Trusts coastal reserves or attend an event. Alternatively, enjoy your local marine life from the comfort of your own home. Why not watch a documentary or read a book? The list is endless!
• In the home -  Making changes to your everyday lifestyle can reduce your personal impact on our environment. Use environmentally friendly detergents and avoid toxic chemicals in your home and garden. Reduce, reuse and recycle your rubbish and watch what you flush. Every year hundreds of thousands of used cotton buds end up on our beaches after being flushed down the toilet!
• Eating right - Watch what you eat and buy only seasonal and locally caught fish that hasn't been over-fishing or captured through methods which cause harm to the environment. Check the labels for details or how and where your seafood has been caught, if it's not clear, ask the fishmonger for details. Supermarkets are becoming more and more aware of the need to stock sustainably caught seafood. Do not be afraid to ask for their help in choosing what to buy.  For more information as to what to avoid/what to eat visit the MCS website or check out WWF's top tips.
• Whilst on holiday - Don't buy jewellery made from marine creatures (e.g. coral and shells), and visit reputable companies when taking trips to see marine wildlife. Only go with companies that abide by a code of conduct to avoid causing distress to the local wildlife.
• Volunteer - Get involved with your local Wildlife Trust, help raise awareness for marine wildlife by running public events and showing others the marine life of the North Sea.
• Send us your photographs - help us highlight the fascinating marine world by sending us copies of your rockpool or diving photographs and videos. To find out more contact the North Sea Living Seas Manager.
• Or join your local wildlife trust......

For those of you wanting to do even more then why not help The Wildlife Trusts actively campaign for greater marine protection by joining the Save Our Seas (SOS) team at www.saveourseas.wild-net.org. If you are already a member encourage someone else to join, greater numbers have a louder voice!

Thanks to your help we have now achieved high level protection for the marine environment through the introduction of a Marine and Coastal Access Act - click here to see how we have achieved it.