Expanding our marine conservation work in partnership with The Deep

Our work to protect marine life is expanding through a new partnership with The Deep—an education and conservation charity with a public aquarium in Hull, East Yorkshire. This collaboration will help us preserve more marine and freshwater species, including the Green sawfish (Pristis zijsron), which are kept at the aquarium as part of the European Ex-situ Programme (EEP).

As an ocean ambassador, The Deep’s purpose is to inspire positive behaviour change to protect our shared oceans. The Deep already contributes to worldwide conservation of aquatic ecosystems through leading and supporting a number of conservation projects in the UK and abroad. For example, their research on Manta ray behaviour, habitat, and population in Sudan’s Dungonab Bay Marine Park established vital information to inform conservation strategies and sustainable ecotourism in the area. The site has since been designated a UNESCO marine national park.

This partnership adds a new facet to their existing work towards safeguarding the world’s aquatic ecosystems by preserving genetic material and preventing species extinction.

“We are excited to be working in partnership with Nature’s SAFE. The Deep will be able to contribute valuable expertise and assist with providing material focussed on aquatic environments to the shared goal of preventing extinction in the natural world. Assisting with the wildlife biobank by providing genetic material from animals at risk of extinction, ultimately helps in the fight to protect wildlife’s future.”

Graham Hill, Head of Animal Care & Research – The Deep