Sharks and Rays: 

Rays are masters of disguise. With their sandy, speckled skin, they melt into the seabed, invisible to both predator and prey. But even their expert camouflage can’t save them from the devastation of bottom trawling. Heavy nets dragged across the ocean floor destroy everything in their path—ripping up fragile habitats and sweeping up rays, sharks and countless other creatures, only for many to be tossed back as bycatch, already dead or dying. This destruction is happening even in Marine Protected Areas, places meant to be safe havens. 

That’s why we are campaigning for Marine Protected Areas to be safeguarded as safe havens for marine life and we are calling for bottom trawling to be banned in all protected waters. These incredible creatures—and the delicate ecosystems they live in—deserve real protection. 

Lobsters: 

Lobsters have a superpower worthy of science fiction—they can regrow lost limbs! Lose a claw, a leg, or an antenna, and with time (and moulting), it can grow back! But not even this remarkable ability can protect them from today’s ocean threats. As one of the most valuable commercial species, lobsters face huge fishing pressures and unsustainable catch limits. On top of that, climate change is warming the ocean and making it more acidic — weakening their shells and damaging their ability to fight off disease. Lobsters also tend to stay in one area, which makes local habitat protection even more important. 

With better monitoring and smarter fishing practices, we can give lobsters a fighting chance and ensure they’re part of our seas for generations to come. 

Seagrass: 

Seagrass is one of the most important plants in the sea. It flowers and pollinates entirely underwater—and its long, green blades create underwater meadows that shelter seahorses, cuttlefish, pipefish, and other amazing marine life. These meadows also clean the water, stabilise and anchor the seabed, and support countless tiny creatures, from sea squirts to colourful anemones. 

Seagrass meadows make a powerful ally in the fight against climate change, capturing and storing carbon in their soils at remarkable rates, and locking it away for centuries. In the English Channel and Western Approaches region (which includes Devon), seagrass bed sediments alone hold an estimated 23,600 tonnes of organic carbon! 

But we’ve already lost at least half of UK’s seagrass, mostly due to declining water quality and physical disturbance such as coastal development, fishing and anchoring. 

The good news? Seagrass can come back if we give it a chance. Devon still has patches of this magical habitat, but we need to protect and restore much more. The future of our seas (and us!) depends on it.

Seals:

Seals are sleek, curious, and incredibly agile—able to dive hundreds of metres and hold their breath for up to 20 minutes. They’re a familiar and beloved sight along Devon coasts. But despite their playful nature, seals are easily disturbed, especially when they’re resting or caring for their pups. Even a single close encounter with a boat or a paddleboard can cause them to flee in panic, sometimes leading to injury or death. 

Another growing threat comes from ghost fishing gear—discarded nets, ropes, and other debris that linger in the sea for decades. These silent killers can entangle seals, causing severe injuries, starvation, and often death. The danger is invisible but deadly, and it continues to claim marine life long after the gear has been abandoned.

That’s why education is so important. We’re working with schools, communities, and local businesses to raise awareness and build a culture of care for our marine life. The more we understand and respect these animals, the better chance they have to thrive in our waters.

How your donation will help

Devon’s waters are home to some of the most fascinating marine life in the UK—but they’re under pressure like never before. We’re stepping up efforts to protect and restore our seas, and you can help make a difference. Your donation powers essential work: restoring damaged habitats, protecting threatened species, and building strong evidence to push for real policy change. It also helps us educate and inspire people of all ages to take action for our seas. Together, we can create thriving havens for rays, lobsters, seagrass, seals and all marine wildlife - now and for the future. Let’s turn the tide, starting today.  

Donate now