National Marine Week

National Marine Week is celebrated annually from July 24, inviting everyone across the United Kingdom to explore, appreciate, and help protect the country's rich marine life and coastal habitats. In 2026, this date falls on a Friday. This extended celebration, which often runs into early August, is organized by The Wildlife Trusts and supported by local groups, offering a chance to connect with the sea through beach events, educational activities, and conservation campaigns.

History of National Marine Week

National Marine Week was created to motivate people to better understand and care for the ocean, encouraging appreciation and protection of marine environments. The holiday focuses on the vital role oceans play, given that they constitute the largest ecosystem on the planet, containing 97% of Earth's water and supporting 80% of its biodiversity with more than 30,000 species. The event was designed to span more than a week to accommodate different tidal conditions around the UK, allowing more people to participate regardless of location or weather.

Over time, National Marine Week has grown into a key annual observance that highlights the urgent need for ocean conservation. The Wildlife Trusts, a federation of 46 independent wildlife trusts covering the whole UK, coordinate the event. Each year features a specific theme—for 2026, the theme is Incredible Journeys, showcasing the remarkable migrations of animals such as sharks, Arctic terns, humpback whales, and spider crabs. The week aims to raise awareness about the beauty and importance of the seas while inspiring positive action to protect marine habitats for future generations.

Why is National Marine Week important?

Our oceans are in urgent need of protection. They provide food, regulate our climate, and support an incredible array of wildlife. National Marine Week highlights the challenges facing our seas—from plastic pollution to overfishing—and encourages positive action. By raising awareness and inspiring change, this event plays a crucial part in safeguarding marine environments for future generations. The oceans are under threat from global warming, with primary factors attributed to human activities, so we must do everything we can to assist in saving them.

Healthy oceans help maintain our environment and atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide and exhaling oxygen, just like land plants. The ocean produces between 50% and 80% of the world's total oxygen supply. However, about 80% of global marine fish populations have been overexploited or depleted, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This threatens biodiversity, food security, and the global economy. National Marine Week educates people about these critical issues and encourages responsible use and preservation of natural resources.

• Raising awareness about marine and coastal ecosystems encourages responsible use and preservation of natural resources for all generations.
• Marine life conservation is critical because oceans contain 80% of Earth's biodiversity and are a major source of food.
• The event highlights challenges such as plastic pollution, overfishing, and other pollutants that harm marine life, vegetation, and animals.
• It inspires people to take action, such as reducing plastic use, participating in beach cleanups, and supporting conservation charities.
• National Marine Week connects people to the sea even if they live inland, by educating about pollution's downstream effects and the importance of healthy oceans.

How to Celebrate National Marine Week

There are many ways to join in the celebrations during National Marine Week. Whether you live near the coast or inland, everyone can play a part in protecting the UK's marine wonders. You can explore local shorelines, participate in conservation events, and learn how to reduce your environmental footprint. The Wildlife Trusts organize beach cleans, sea dipping, shoresearch surveys, seabird spectacles, seaweed searches, whale and dolphin watches, mud dipping, and rockpool rambles. Even if you can't get to the sea, there's lots of coverage on social media and online resources to help you get involved.

Support the holiday by attending any one of its numerous events. You may also donate to a charity dedicated to preserving the animals and plants in the ocean. Volunteering is also a good way to show your support. Commemorating National Marine Week by choosing reusable containers, such as coffee cups and water bottles, is an excellent place to start. If you'd rather not pollute the environment, go for reusable bags instead of plastic ones. To celebrate, get the whole family out in nature and teach the younger children about the world around them. One easy way to get engaged is to go out to the sea and observe marine life. While you are there, pick up any litter you see.

• Avoid disposable plastics by choosing reusable containers, coffee cups, water bottles, and shopping bags.
• Go out with family to the coast, observe marine life, and pick up any litter you find.
• Support local conservation efforts by attending events, donating to marine charities, or volunteering.
• Become a citizen scientist by recording shoreline sightings for the Wildlife Trust's Shoresearch or other projects like the Shark Trust's Great Eggcase Hunt.
• Reduce your plastic use and pick up litter inland to prevent it from reaching the sea via rivers and streams.

National Marine Week Dates