Despite its name, this celebration of all things marine lasts 15 fun-packed days and will fill you with a wonder and passion for the UK’s oceans.

What we’re doing for National Marine Week

We want National Marine Week to inspire people to care about and care for our seas. Estuaries, muddy shores and oceans like the Irish Sea are under huge pressure from damaging fishing activities, marine litter, climate change, invasive developments and other threats that have the potential to irreparably damage these sensitive habitats.

To help you discover the wonders of our seas and find out how you can help to protect them, we've pulled together a packed programme of exciting marine events running right across our coast. From egg case hunts at Lytham St Anne's and rockpooling at Heysham Bay, to Seawatch events at Rossall Point Observation Tower, there is something for everyone.

But our work doesn't stop after National Marine Week. We work tirelessly to develop relationships with regulators and fishermen, develop effective management plans, lobby Government, survey our shores and raise public awareness about the plight of UK seas all year-round. Can you help us continue this vital work?

Donate today

How you can celebrate National Marine Week

You’d be surprised by just how big an impact personal changes in your everyday life can have on the health of your local seas. Here are just a few suggestions:

• Reduce single-use plastics – Bags for Life, reusable coffee cups and reusable water bottles are a great way to start.
• Go microbead-free – check beauty products and toothpaste for microbeads before buying.
• Phase out harmful chemicals – research natural alternatives to things like shampoo, sun-cream and cleaning products.
• Stop using plastic cotton buds – the stems are one of the most common plastics found on beaches.
• Buy sustainable seafood – the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide is really useful.
• Do a two-minute beach clean – collect and bin any plastics you find on your next coastal walk. You could even take a jam jar to collect nurdles on sandy shores.
• Sign a petition – our Wilder Future campaign calls for better ocean protections, as well as Nature Recovery Networks.
• Support your local Trust – help us protect our seas for generations to come by making a donation or becoming a member. We couldn't do what we do without your support!
• Attend National Marine Week events – from coastal surveys to family-friendly mud-dipping events, there is something to inspire everyone to care for our seas.

Find a marine event near you

Whether you’re making small but powerful changes to reduce your plastic use, attending a fun-filled event or helping support our work on your coast, we’d love to know how you’re celebrating National Marine Week! Chat to us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and stay up to date with how we’re saving your local blue planet.