Ordinary people find extraordinary ‘climate indicator’ species in UK waters Wildlife Trust volunteers clock over 46,000 hours of surveys and beach cleans Research highlights the need to improve protection of the UK’s blue carbon

Innovation, research and a mammoth volunteering effort by people helped conservationists learn more about wildlife in UK seas, reveals The Wildlife Trusts’ 2024 marine review, published today.

Seaside volunteers clocked over 46,000 thousand hours surveying shorelines and recording wildlife. Discoveries include climate-indicator sea slugs and seaweeds, plus sightings of conger eels and humpback whales.

Groundbreaking research, pioneering nature recovery projects and a complete network of snorkel trails around Scotland also feature in the annual marine round-up.