Photo credit: Ruth Williams
BSAC Marine Champion partner, The Wildlife Trusts has announced the theme for its 2026 National Marine Week. To be held between 25 July and 9 August, this year’s nationwide participation event will be celebrating the ‘incredible journeys’ made by our amazing marine life.
Extending over 16 days so participants can make the most of the tides and potential marine life experiences, National Marine Week offers a packed programme of events around the UK’s coastline. The annual event celebrates UK seas, encouraging people to discover the amazing wildlife around our shores and take action to help protect our seas.
Coordinated by many of the 46 Wildlife Trusts around the UK, Alderney and Isle of Man, the 2026 event focuses on just some of special journeys marine animals which live in or visit our seas undertake each year. From whale and dolphin watching to rock pooling, bird watching, seashore safaris and ‘mud dipping’, National Marine Week offers fantastic marine life experiences for enthusiasts of all ages.
The events are ideally timed for the school holidays and can be booked directly with the organising Wildlife Trust.
Volunteers who would like to help support events and share their love for our seas are also warmly welcomed. Please contact your local Wildlife Trust if you would like to assist with a National Marine Week event. Participating in National Marine Week is a good opportunity for BSAC Marine Champions and clubs to incorporate another fun and informative activity into their summer Marine Action day plans.
Ruth Williams, Head of Marine Conservation at The Wildlife Trusts said she hoped participants would be inspired into action by the incredible journeys of our diverse marine life. She said:
This National Marine Week, The Wildlife Trusts and BSAC are bringing people closer to the incredible world beneath our coasts. Whether you dive in or lend a hand on shore, your actions can make a real difference. Through supporting National Marine Week, we can share the underwater world and it's delights with an even wider audience. From seabed to shoreline, every action counts — please get involved this National Marine Week and help protect our seas.
Katherine Knight, BSAC Chair of Environment and Sustainability said she hoped as many BSAC Marine Champions, clubs and their members would get involved.
We are delighted to support The Wildlife Trusts National Marine Week and amplify the value of the underwater perspective which we enjoy as divers and snorkellers. Working together by participating in events such as National Marine Week will help turn our experiences into meaningful action for the conservation of the marine environment.
For more information on The Wildlife Trusts’ National Marine Week, to sign up for an event near you and to read just some of the incredible journey stories, go to wildlifetrusts.org/national-marine-week
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