As an Ocean charity, we count ourselves very lucky to be located in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City. We are also incredibly proud to be a gateway partner of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, the UK’s first national marine park. Established 14 September 2019, 70 years after the first UK national parks were designated on land.
In 2024, the future of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park has been propelled thanks to £11.6 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This substantial investment will enable the delivery of a £22 million transformational five-year programme that will engage an entire city in its landscape and heritage.
“Plymouth Sound is one of the world’s most important and visually stunning natural harbours. It has multiple designations for protected habitats and supports over 1,000 species of fish and other marine animal life. It is home to HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe, commercial ports, a substantial national fishing fleet, international fish market, commercial diver training, a global hub for marine leisure industries and an internationally important marine research cluster. It is a historic tourist destination; Plymouth and its people have played a vital role in the development of Europe and the Americas. Nowhere could be more deserving of special recognition at a local or national level. So many pioneering voyages of discovery have set sail from Plymouth that it is natural for Plymouth to be considered as the UK’s first National Marine Park.”
National Marine Park, UK
We have been showcasing why Plymouth Sound should be celebrated for decades. Through education, research and engagement, our work to put Plymouth’s waters on the world map has been relentless. This is one of the many reasons we were chosen to be a Gateway Partner for the Marine Park, and play an integral role in its development. Helping to forge a new relationship between the city and the sea through a multitude of events and experiences, as well as our seagrass restoration and protection work, and our engagement & education programme.
Since our conception we have led a world-class Learning Programme, using the Ocean to deliver all subjects of the curriculum. This is why we are delivering the PSNMP Schools Program: ‘Sea in your School’. An exciting Key Stage 2 programme which will enable primary school children to experience Plymouth Sound National Marine Park virtually, using our immersive VR technology. This unique and memorable way of bringing education to life will amplify what the OCT are already doing to connect young people to the Ocean, and in-turn encourage more people to protect and engage with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
To find out more click below:
In addition to this, we will be running ‘Meet the Marine Park’, our campaign to take Plymouth Sound National Marine Park out into the city of and engage with the people of Plymouth through hands on workshops, engagement activities, games and more. Bringing the park to the people of Plymouth will help us better understand the barriers to accessing the Marine Park and together work to resolve them.
Find out where we’ll be this year below:
Not only are we connecting millions of people with our Ocean, but we are also upholding the responsibility to restore our National Marine Park too. Over the past decade, our primary focus has been on protecting and regenerating our seagrass beds which, due to human activity, have been lost over time. Seagrasses are one of the most valuable and biodiverse habitats on the planet and are one of the few habitats that provide multiple benefits to the environment. Through the deployment of marker buoys, eco-mooring platforms and the cultivation and replanting of seagrass meadows we are actively protecting these precious beds, whilst at the same time restoring what we have lost.
Read more about our Blue Meadows work here:
Through the combined efforts of our fellow Gateway Partners, Plymouth City Council and the residents and communities of our Ocean City, we will ensure that the people of Plymouth (and beyond) connect with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. Using it as a hook to inspire pro-Ocean behaviour and become become better Marine Citizens. Through the park we can all develop closer connections with the Ocean, learn to care more about our coastal environment and change the way we behave in order to protect it.
For more information on the UK’s first National Marine Park, visit the website below:
For more information on the National Lottery Heritage Fund, click below:
Find out more