UK fish award
Find out how to become a Champion in Conservation for UK fish!
Fish are both predator and prey in the food chain. They also keep the water clean by eating algae and other organisms. When there are lots of healthy fish, it means the lake or ocean is healthy too.
Pollution, overfishing, and other human activities are leading to a decline in fish populations and impacting the overall health of our rivers and oceans.
With over 40 species of freshwater and many more marine (saltwater) fish, you’re bound to find some to help.
WHAT TO DO TO COMPLETE YOUR AWARD?
Awards are earned for completing one connect, one action, and one voice challenge on your chosen topic. If you have done all three then you can apply for your award.
Get inspired by some of our resources and ideas to achieve a UK fish award and find the way YOU want to connect, take action and be a voice for change and let us know how you’ve completed these through your application.
1. You can complete this challenge on your own, with friends or as part of a community group.
2. Collect evidence with photos, films or other ways to document your experience and write an account in your award application.
CONNECT BY:
WATCHING THE WATER
If you have a river or lake nearby, look in areas of slower moving water like bends in the river or shady spots where fish tend to gather. Bubbles and ripples can be a sign of activity. See what you can spot.
ROCK POOLING
If you live near or holiday near the coast, check out the rockpools. Visit at low tide when the pools are exposed. Be safe when exploring near water and avoid using nets if possible, as they can harm delicate marine life.
OR CHOOSE YOUR OWN WAY TO CONNECT TO UK FISH
TAKE ACTION BY:
CHOOSING SUSTAINABLE
Look out for Marine Stewardship Council or Aquaculture Stewardship Council logos (insert logos) when buying seafood. It means it was sourced in a way that doesn’t harm the environment.
REDUCING POLLUTION
Use a refillable bottle and re-use shopping bags instead of single-use plastics which often end up in our rivers and oceans.
SAVING WATER
Turn off the tap while brushing teeth and take shorter showers. Every drop of water saved helps protect freshwater ecosystems where fish live.
CLEANING UP
Join beach and river cleanups to help pick up rubbish. Contact www.mcsuk.org or www.ukrivers.net
OR CHOOSE YOUR OWN WAY TO TAKE ACTION FOR UK FISH
BE A VOICE FOR CHANGE BY:
Part of conservation is using your voice to create social change around you.
There’s no one way to do this, you could you could create a poster or artwork, you could create a film or give a talk to friends and family, you could even write to your local MP to make them more aware of a conservation issue you’re passionate about.
Whatever you choose, get creative and do something that suits your way of using your voice for change!
Need some inspiration?
We’ve got some useful resources to help you get on your way to help:
