Solitary but sociable: Understanding lone dolphins and why we need to act responsibly

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: marine conservation, Marine Science, Science

Every now and then solitary dolphins appear in coastal waters. The reasons why this happens can vary and are not always clear. What we do know is that they can captivate communities, display playful behaviour and become more interested in …

Spotlight on MPA marine habitats: From Subtidal Sand to Deep-Sea Bed

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We’re diving into some of the less well known but ecologically vital marine habitats found in England’s offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This includes subtidal sand, mud, sediment, and deep-sea bed.  While these habitats may not have the visual appeal …

What Cornwall’s whale sightings mean for our seas — and how to watch responsibly

Whale breaching credit @Adrian Langdon

This month, Cornwall’s coastline has become a hotspot for whale sightings. This includes humpback whales - large, beautiful and powerful wild animals that can range in length from 14–17 m (46–56 ft) and weigh up to 40 metric tons! These …

Protecting our diverse and valuable seabird species

Little gull in flight

Have you ever been asked to name a UK seabird on the spot? Seagulls probably come to mind first, right? Or maybe you think about those charismatic puffins or bustling ‘seabird cities’ of guillemots.  We’re actually home to some of …

MMO joins Operation Seabird 2023 and encourages everyone to act responsibly around marine wildlife

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seal

Here in the UK we are never far away from the coastline. Our stunning shores, sandy beaches and coastal paths attract millions of visitors every year. This brings an economic boost to local communities, and alongside the growth of staycations …

One year into fisheries management measures for English offshore MPAs

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Subtidal coarse sediment

On 13 June 2022, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) introduced new byelaws to protect four offshore marine protected areas (MPAs) from damaging fishing activity. This marked a significant step in our work to assess and appropriately manage fishing activities to …

Studland Bay: Why you need a licence to search for seahorses

It was great to see coverage of the conservation efforts at Studland Bay on BBC’s Springwatch programme (episode 7) recently. The show, which aired on 7 June, highlighted the need to protect the area’s precious seagrass – home to protected …