Passholder Conservation Awards

Did you know the amazing teams at our SEA LIFE Aquariums don’t just care for incredible marine life - they also take action to protect it?It’s not only the SEA LIFE Trust driving conservation forward… our brilliant aquarium teams are right there making a real difference in local communities and ocean health.

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on six inspiring conservation projects led by our incredible people across SEA LIFE Aquariums - and we want YOU to help choose the winner! How to Take Part

  • Voting opens: 8th June (World Oceans Day)

  • Voting closes: 20th June

 

Vote Now

Project 1: Turtle Conservation

Teams across SEA LIFE aquariums in the UK are working together to respond to the growing number of marine turtles washing up along our shores. In 2025, nine turtles were rescued, with seven needing specialist rehabilitation and care. This complex effort is led by SEA LIFE Loch Lomond, which works closely with British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) and local authorities to safely triage stranded turtles and coordinate their transport to facilities where they can receive expert treatment.

Across the network, SEA LIFE Brighton plays a crucial role with its dedicated rehabilitation facilities and the UK’s first cold-stun workshop, providing life-saving care to vulnerable turtles suffering from extreme temperature shock. Additional support from centres including Hunstanton, Weymouth and Scarborough ensures these animals receive the best chance of recovery. One of this year’s most well-known rescues, Crush, has helped shine a spotlight on the importance of this nationwide conservation effort.

 

Project 2: Shark Tagging

SEA LIFE Hunstanton is leading important shark-tagging research along the UK’s coastline, helping to protect vulnerable shark species increasingly at risk from overfishing and environmental pressures. Through hands-on fieldwork, the team carefully records critical data such as the size, sex and weight of sharks, helping to build a clearer picture of their populations.

By tagging and tracking these often elusive animals, the project provides valuable insight into their movements, behaviours and preferred habitats. This research plays a vital role in shaping stronger conservation strategies and ensuring better protection for shark species in UK waters, supporting their long-term survival and the balance of marine ecosystems

 

Project 3: Coral Reef Conservation

At SEA LIFE London, an innovative partnership with Resting Reef is pushing the boundaries of ocean conservation. This groundbreaking project transforms memorial ashes into beautifully crafted 3D reef structures, designed specifically to support coral growth and create new underwater habitats.

These unique reef forms provide essential surfaces for corals and other marine life to attach, grow and thrive, helping to restore fragile reef ecosystems that are increasingly under threat. Visitors to SEA LIFE London can see these structures up close, witnessing how corals are already beginning to develop, and learning how creative solutions like this can play a powerful role in protecting our oceans for future generations.

 

Project 4: Seal Rescue & Rehabilitation

SEA LIFE Scarborough is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of UK seals, with a particular focus on protecting vulnerable harbour seal populations along England’s East Coast. When seals are found injured, stranded or abandoned, expert teams respond quickly to ensure they receive the care they need.

This work is made possible through close partnerships with organisations such as the RSPCA and British Divers Marine Life Rescue. Together, they provide specialist treatment and ongoing care, with the ultimate goal of returning healthy animals back to the wild. Each rescue not only gives an individual animal a second chance, but also contributes to the wider protection of marine wildlife and coastal ecosystems.

 

Project 5: Endangered Crayfish Conservation

SEA LIFE Birmingham is leading efforts to protect the endangered White-clawed Crayfish, one of the UK’s rarest native freshwater species. These crayfish face serious threats from invasive Signal Crayfish and the deadly crayfish plague, making conservation action essential to their survival.

In 2025, the team rescued and translocated over 400 individuals, carefully monitoring each one in a specialist holding facility before releasing them into protected Ark Sites. These safe habitats provide the conditions needed for populations to recover and thrive. Working closely with conservation partners, this project plays a vital role in safeguarding biodiversity and maintaining healthy freshwater ecosystems.

 

Project 6: Seahorse Conservation

Led by SEA LIFE Weymouth and supported by teams across the UK, this collaborative project focuses on protecting local seahorse populations by improving our understanding of these elusive animals. Through regular underwater surveys, teams monitor seahorse behaviour, breeding patterns and habitat use over time.

What makes this project particularly special is the level of collaboration across almost all UK SEA LIFE centres. Using their scuba expertise and animal knowledge, teams are contributing valuable data that helps build a clearer picture of seahorse populations in UK waters. This shared effort highlights the power of teamwork in conservation and supports long-term strategies to protect these unique and fragile species.

 

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