SCUBAHUB
Champion stories
Marine Champions a year in the life
BSAC’ S MARINE CHAMPIONS INITIATIVE has reached its one-year milestone, with 80 club members signing up to help champion the marine environment so far. To mark the occasion the team now aim to get to at least 100 Marine Champions by the end of 2026.
Launched in August 2025, the initiative was designed to establish a volunteer network of Marine Champions around the BSAC regions. Each Marine Champion was tasked to work within their own BSAC clubs to coordinate a range of grassroots environmental initiatives and raise awareness of the need to restore and project our marine environment.
From coastal projects to rivers and inland waterways, the growing Marine Champion network has since stepped up to the mark. And the range of Marine Champion activities has been inspiring. Over the past year there have been seagrass, oyster and marine surveys, invasive species clear ups, habitat restoration projects, beach cleans, underwater litter picks, ghost fishing retrieval, community events and much more.
Summer 2026 saw a coordinated focus
on Marine Champion Action Days and Weekends, supported by Sea-Changers. The wider project has also attracted other partners, including The Shark Trust and The Wildlife Trusts. Many Marine Champions have also devised their own conservation projects, such as Cayman Islands Divers’ coral reef survey and Nautical Archaeology Society SAC’ s Portunus Project to record marine life and habitats in the harbours of Chichester.
BSAC Environment Chair Katherine Knight said the initiative’ s first year had exceeded expectations.“ The response to the project has been fantastic, with all our Marine Champions bringing ideas, commitment and a real passion for protecting our precious marine environment. It has been inspiring to work alongside this wonderful network of Marine Champions and see the impact their citizen science and grassroot projects are already starting to make.
“ And this is only the start. With new marine partners coming on board and the number of Marine Champions steadily growing, I am excited to see the initiative grow and develop over the next 12 months!”
“ Being a Marine Champion position has added so much more depth to my diving experience. I have connected with so many extraordinary people across the UK, collaborated with other BSAC Clubs, marine and environmental agencies, learning as I go. To me, Marine Champion is a small title for a big role that makes a huge difference.” MEL HOUGH- Marine Champion, Flintshire SAC
“ I became a Marine Champion because I have a deep love for the ocean and the incredible ecosystems it supports. It is heartbreaking to see the impact that human activity is having on our marine environment, and I wanted to be part of the solution rather than simply watch it deteriorate.” SAMANTHA COOPER – Marine Champion, Cayman Islands Divers
Help us to get to 100! To become a BSAC Marine Champion, you need to be aged 18 or over and a member of a BSAC club. For more information on becoming a Marine Champion and to register go to bsac. com / marinechampions
Pressure mounts to ban dangerous rings
AS PART OF THE LATEST SERIES OF Marine Champion Action Weekends, BSAC is calling for all its members get behind the Seal Alliance’ s campaign to ban the sale of plastic flying rings. The Alliance has set up a petition on
12 change. org calling for the Government to stop the import and sale of plastic flying rings. And, if successful, the UK could become the first country to ban the rings in order to protect wildlife, including our native seals.
The quick and simple act of putting your signature to the Seal Alliance petition could mean all the difference in reducing the risk of injury – or worse – that plastic flying rings pose to seals around the UK.
John Arnott, of the Seal Alliance said the rings can cause devastating harm.
“ These rings are potential toys for curious seals, but a few moments of natural curiosity could turn into a nightmare if they become entangled around their necks.”
Welcoming the call to ban plastic flying rings, BSAC’ s CEO Mary Tetley said that it was important to also remind beach-goers to always take their belongings with them.
“ You can still enjoy the sea without leaving dangerous litter behind, as these items are causing seals and other animals unnecessary pain and suffering. Please sign and share the Seal Alliance’ s petition and help make our beaches safer for our wildlife.”
Sign the petition – details can be found at bsac. com / flyingringban