Young Marine Biologist Club: Discovering the secrets of marine life in the cove...and how we learnt to film them!

Duncan Kenny (He/Him)

Project Manager, The Cove Discovery Project

Conservationist/filmaker passionate about engaging coastal communities to learn and care for marine life and marine habitats. Focal species are grey seals and curent research projects include identifying and monitoring marine species in Churston Cove, Brixham and the effective communication of conservation messaging.....also articulates seal skeletons for educational resources.

: https://www.thecovediscoveryproject.com/

Chris Thomas

Co-founder, 365 Sea Swim Challenge

Chris is a professional musician living in Brixham. In 2019 Chris co-founded the 365 Sea Swim Challenge and completed 1255 days (3.5 years) of consecutive sea swims. The 365 Sea Swim Challenge has helped its members raise over £60,000 for charities and causes around the UK. He also contributes his time as a voluntary Marine Mammal Medic for British Divers Marine Life Rescue.

The daily immersion in sea swims has instilled within Chris a progressively intensifying fascination with marine life and the diverse coastal ecosystems. Capturing these experiences on film became another passion, sharing the encounters through social media to reach a wider audience.  

Unsurprisingly, Chris has become deeply devoted to the cause of conservation, actively seeking avenues to educate and enhance public awareness regarding the significance of marine life and coastal ecosystems in and around Brixham. In this pursuit, Chris initiated the Brixham Crab Line Recycling Scheme in May 2021. This generous initiative serves the purpose of mitigating plastic marine debris, recycling single-use plastics, and imparting educational insights pertaining to responsible practices during crabbing activities. Chris has further extended the outreach of this project by delivering informative presentations in primary schools, elucidating the impact of human activities on the marine environment and illuminating potential strategies for minimizing our ecological footprint.