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Welcome to a different kind of conference

At Conservation Chat UK Ltd, we believe marine conservation events should be engaging, inclusive, and full of community spirit—not formal or intimidating.

The South West Marine Fest is a friendly, relaxed gathering where people from all walks of life can come together to celebrate our ocean, share research and stories, and connect over a shared passion for marine conservation—whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out.

👉 Click here to view details of the next South West Marine Fest Conference.

What to expect

Join us for our annual in-person event dedicated to ocean conservation. Hosted by Conservation Chat UK Ltd, this gathering reflects our strong commitment to protecting marine life and ecosystems. We design our events to place the ocean and its incredible biodiversity at the centre—bringing people together through inspiring talks, shared knowledge, and a welcoming community that’s passionate about our blue planet.

A day of learning and connection

Inspiring talks by expert guest speakers

Engaging discussions on important conservation topics

Great networking with like-minded people

A welcoming space for everyone—students, professionals, and nature-lovers alike

CPD opportunity

This conference is a great Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunity.
Attendance certificates are available for anyone who would like to record their learning.

Practical info

Light refreshments provided

Please bring a packed lunch (we challenge you to go plastic-free!)

Affordable ticket prices to keep it accessible to all

Important to know

This is an in-person only event.
If the conference is cancelled by us, we’ll give you a full refund—no hassle.

👉 Click here to view details of the next South West Marine Fest Conference.

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

CLICK ME

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Laura Collier

Conservation Chat UK

Marine Conservation - A Year In Review.

This talk reviews the major developments in marine conservation from May 2025 to May 2026—the good, the bad, and the unmistakably urgent. It highlights the year’s most encouraging progress, from advances in habitat restoration to expansions of protected areas and promising policy shifts. It then explores the challenges that defined the period, including continued pressure on fisheries and climate-driven disruptions across key ecosystems. Finally, it confronts the most concerning trends: accelerating biodiversity declines, extreme marine heatwaves, and setbacks in regulatory protections. Together, these insights offer a clear picture of how the ocean has changed over the past year and what actions are most crucial as we look ahead.

Thea Taylor

Sussex Dolphin Project

Thea Taylor is a dedicated marine biologist and the Managing Director of the Sussex Dolphin Project. With a background in marine biology, Thea has built her career on understanding and protecting local cetacean populations. Her field experience spans from the Moray Firth in Scotland, where she worked as a research assistant and wildlife guide, to global projects studying cetacean distributions and population dynamics. Passionate about ecosystem restoration and community involvement, Thea champions citizen science initiatives that empower local people to help safeguard Sussex’s marine mammals and coastal habitats for future generations.

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Rebecca Dudley

University of Plymouth

The bottlenose dolphins of England’s south coast are among the most vulnerable in Europe. These remarkable animals are part of a small, socially distinct population navigating one of the world's busiest marine environments. In this talk, researcher Rebecca Dudley explores what long-term monitoring and citizen science are revealing about their lives. Learn how collaborative science and local partnerships are shaping new conservation strategies to protect these iconic yet threatened coastal dolphins.

Sarah Greenslade

The Seal Project

Details to be confirmed.

Stu Collier