A club member and previous Furness Diving Club Diving Officer has been awarded a prestigious award from the Marine Conservation Society in recognition of their ‘outstanding support to their mission of ensuring our seas are healthy, clean and protected. The award was presented at the Marine Conservation Society AGM on 3rd December 2024.
Duncan has been a keen recreational diver for over ten years and regularly dives both in the UK and abroad. He has always been interested in the sea, passionate about the protection of marine environment and keen to dive with a purpose.
He did his first Sea search observer and marine life identification courses back in 2021. These introduce participants to the basics but also cover in some detail how to tell one species from another and how each interacted with their environment.
Duncan has worked with Sea Search and Cumbria wildlife trust attending beach cleans, beach surveys and water sampling activities, becoming a marine champion encouraging others to participate
He has participated in sea grass restoration activities planting sea grass and collecting seeds in North Wales and most recently in Cumbria too
Continuing to participate in Seasearch underwater surveys locally and in Scotland he qualified as a sea search surveyor earlier this year
He has managed to secure access to several new dive sites in Cumbria which is quite a difficult area to dive due to big tides, sandy estuaries and a variety of maritime industries.
He has used social media to publicise activities highlighting the extent and variety of sea life there is to be found in our waters to inform others and encourage participation.
Sea search provides a fantastic opportunity to learn about marine life alongside likeminded individuals whilst making a contribution to the protection of marine life from future climatic change and pollution.
Anyone interested in the aims of the Marine Conservation Society or Sea Search should get in touch.
