National Marine Week | Ulster Wildlife

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National Marine Week

National Marine Week is The Wildlife Trusts’ nationwide celebration of all things marine. Despite the name, it lasts 15 fun-filled days to allow for the variation in tide times around the country.

This year, we're focusing on the unsung heroes of the marine world. These are species you might not have known we get in the UK, some you might not have ever heard of before.

Meet our seaside superheroes

Native oyster

Native Oysters

Find out how we're helping to bring back Northern Ireland's native oysters.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Bottlenose dolphin

Bottlenose dolphins in British waters are the biggest of their kind – they need to be able to cope with our chilly waters! They are very…

Minke whale

Minke whale

The UK's smallest whale, the minke whale, is notoriously inquisitive around boats and is even known to breach clear of the water.…

Flapper (common) skate

Common skate

Despite its name, the "common" skate is not so common anymore. In fact, they are Critically Endangered.

Grey seal in kelp forest

Kelp beds and forests

Forests of kelp sway in shallow sunlit waters, offering shelter to a host of sea life from tiny worms to juvenile fish.

Basking shark

Basking shark

This gentle giant is the largest shark in UK seas, reaching up to 12m in length. There's no need to fear them though, they only eat…

Seagrass bed

Seagrass

Meadows of seagrass spread across the seabed, their dense green leaves sheltering a wealth of wildlife including our two native species…

Guillemot (winter-plumage)

Guillemot

Guillemots really know how to live life on the edge – quite literally! They nest tightly packed on steep ledges and cliffs around the…

Harbour Porpoise

Harbour porpoise

Despite being a little shy, these amazing marine mammals can be spotted close to shore in shallow waters. If you do get close, keep an…

How you can help marine wildlife

Less plastic illustration

How to use less plastic

Plastic waste and its damaging effect on our natural world has been big news recently. Here's what you can you do about it.

Fish and chips (c) Learning Lark

Choose sustainable seafood

Help marine wildlife by choosing sustainable seafood

Litter picking illustration 3

Pick up litter

Be a wildlife saviour and pick up litter!

Our marine wildlife needs your help!

Donate now and together we can save our precious wildlife

Adopt A Shark pack

Adopt a shark

Find out more