The Wildlife Trusts’ marine review 2020

The Wildlife Trusts’ marine review 2020 - The Wildlife Trusts

Whale, dolphin and tuna sightings thrill during seaside staycation surge

Sir David Attenborough calls for a halt to activities that damage our seas

Guillemots on sea cliffs of Handa Island — Guillemots on Handa Island © Pete Haskell

Thousands of people thrilled at the sight of whales and dolphins, a breath-taking ‘run’ of Atlantic bluefin tuna delighted observers from Cornwall to Kent, an extremely rare sea slug appeared in UK waters, and rare sand lizards established a new home at their most northerly point in England – these are just a few of the highlights from The Wildlife Trusts’ 2020 marine review.

The Wildlife Trusts’ Living Seas teams are the eyes and ears of the UK coast and today they reveal their most memorable highlights of 2020 – a marine review of the year.

Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts’ director of living seas, says: “In 2020 people flocked to the sea as soon as lockdown restrictions were lifted – they needed the coast as never before. Wildlife Trusts around the country were reporting a surge of public interest in marine life and coastal species. From the Risso’s dolphins in Wales and minke whales off Yorkshire, to the partying bottlenose dolphins off Teeside and the bluefin tuna racing up the south coast – people delighted in seeing marine life and it lifted the hearts of millions in this difficult year. However, we have taken these wonders for granted for too long and it’s vital we recognise that the future of life on earth is inseparable from the health of the sea. Our oceans are in trouble and the UK will not achieve its climate and environmental targets without restoring marine habitats. That’s why The Wildlife Trusts are appealing for £30m to help put 30% of land and sea into recovery for nature by 2030.”