One of Cornwall’s longest standing and most sustainable fishermen has joined in support of Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s new awareness campaign – My Wild Life. Francis Harris is a wildlife lover, has a degree in Zoology and has worked for most of his life fishing our Cornish seas. He is now part of Newlyn based brand Dreckly Fish who are gaining a reputation for some of the freshest and most sustainably caught fish to land on our shores.

My Wild Life is a campaign to fundamentally change the way people view and value nature. The Trust has been protecting Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places for over half a century and knows that a beautiful, thriving natural environment is better for our well being, our community and for our economy. Through My Wild Life the charity aims to inspire even more people to join them and take action for nature.

Francis Harris of Dreckly Fish says, "From an early age I was interested in animals of all sorts, from creepy-crawlies to the largest herbivores and predators. A Mousehole childhood concentrated my interests on the marine side of things, with a special interest in birds, which led to a degree in Zoology and Geology after a sojourn in the Midlands. Returning to Cornwall, and a working lifetime in the fishing industry which has given me the opportunity to observe local wildlife on a wide scale, little and large, common and rare, with some once in a lifetime sightings.

My eldest grandson has become an 'animal person', and an avid birder: I hope Cornwall continues to offer wildlife a place to flourish, so that future generations will be able to see, and hear, and appreciate the wonderful things that I have experienced during my time here in unique Cornwall."

Chris Betty, Communications Officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust says, “Francis is a fantastic addition to our My Wild Life campaign, which aims to highlight that nature is important to all of us whether it is for our livelihood or just our basic happiness and wellbeing. He is a great ambassador for the Cornish fishing industry and for healthy sustainable seas. He is a real wildlife lover and has many fascinating tales of the things he has seen during a lifetime at sea.” Kevin Penny, founder of Dreckly Fish says, "Francis is a wildlife enthusiast and a valuable part of the Dreckly Fish team, he is well known locally and throughout the fishing community for his vast knowledge and experience, which is second to none. It was great to hear that Cornwall Wildlife Trust are using him in their latest campaign to promote local people who have a real passion for wildlife and conservation and the importance of nature to us all. I personally cannot think of a better ambassador to be representing Cornwall Wildlife Trust."

Look out for Francis’s portrait which was taken in Mounts Bay by Ludgvan based photographer Alastair Sopp around Cornwall. There are more to come including a couple of Cornish born and bred Olympians. The Trust will also soon be encouraging local Cornish people to share their own wild lives with them and the chance to win a very cool prize!

www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/mywildlife