Beach in Cornwall to host marine life safari this half term

The Changing Tides Bioblitz will showcase Cornwall’s many marine species and provide a free day of fun this October half-term. A bioblitz involves finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time – and this event will draw attention to the impact climate change has on our fragile ocean ecosystems.

The event is hosted by the Rock Pool Project, a Cornwall and Devon social enterprise encouraging marine conservation, which has set a goal of finding over 300 species in a six-hour time frame.

A rock pool safari (Image: The Rock Pool Project)

The search will run from 09:00 to 16:00, where participants can search for as many coastal marvels as possible, including crabs, fish, barnacles, starfish, prawns and much more hidden in our rock pools and coastal habitats. Attendees can take part in wildlife discovery activities run by the Rock Pool Project and other local marine conservation organisations, such as moth trapping, guided rock pooling, nature walks, marine mammal spotting and laboratory work.

There will also be talks from leading marine experts, a climate change film screening, trade stalls and food vendors. The event is free to attend and will be held at the Princess Pavilion on Melvill Road, Falmouth. Guest speakers include the world-famous marine conservationist Professor Callum Roberts, who is also a professor at Exeter University. Roberts will discuss how healthy ocean life can slow climate change.

Dr Ben Holt, founder and CEO of the Falmouth Rock Pool Project will be giving a talk on the Rock Pool Project’s local marine citizen science programme. Cornwall Climate Care, a charity documenting climate change in Cornwall will screen its short film, 'Under the Surface.' Presented by seabird expert, Mark Grantham, this film features interviews with marine experts talking about the impacts of a changing climate on Cornwall's basking sharks, plankton, seals and seabirds and platforming positive local solutions.

Spiny Starfish - Marthasterias glacialis (Image: Vicky Barlow)

After the screening Mark will answer questions regarding the film and on the impact of climate change on our local coastal environment. Food will be supplied by Fat Breads and the Princess Pavilion , and there will be stalls with vendors and local marine organisations. To sign up for the bioblitz event register for free on Eventbrite.

Attendees are not required to attend the entire event and are welcome to come and go throughout the day. However, many of the activities will have limited capacity so sign-up details will be released prior to the event.

This is a dual event with the Plymouth Rock Pool project, which is also running the Changing Tide Bioblitz at their location in Mount Batten. A live stream will capture both events and screen them on the project's YouTube channel (and/or Facebook page). The live streaming will alternate between Falmouth and Plymouth throughout the day.