This month, from our portfolio of charities, we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on the Blue Marine Foundation. An organisation dedicated to protecting and restoring marine environments across the globe. One of their latest and most ambitious projects is the Dogger Bank Rewilding Project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at restoring an ecologically vital area of the North Sea, covering 2.5 million hectares across Dutch, German, Danish, and British waters.

Dogger Bank is often referred to as the ‘ecological heart of the North Sea,’ and its home to a stunning array of marine life. The region’s sandy sediments serve as a nursery for sharks, rays, herring, and cod, while providing a rich feeding ground for whales, seals, and seabirds. However, this incredible ecosystem has faced decades of threats from industrial activities like trawling and dredging, which have caused significant damage to its delicate habitats.

This three-year initiative will focus on three key areas:

Legal protections: Advocating for stronger regulations to safeguard the region.

Habitat restoration: Rebuilding and enhancing vital marine habitats.

Marine rights advocacy: Championing the protection and restoration of marine life in the North Sea.

Charles Clover, co-founder of Blue Marine Foundation, told Oceanographic: “The restoration of Dogger Bank marks a transformative moment in marine conservation. For an area renowned for its shallow depths and nutrient-rich waters that fosters a diverse marine ecosystem, urgent and meaningful protection is critical. We have a rare chance to reverse the damage that’s been done… The ocean, as Earth’s largest carbon sink, has the potential to absorb much more carbon. By curbing the destructive impacts of marine industrial activities, we can mitigate damage and enhance carbon capture.”

A global effort for global change

This international coalition of scientists, activists, and policymakers will work together to not only protect the biodiversity of Dogger Bank but also demonstrate the profound impact that well-coordinated conservation efforts can have on restoring marine ecosystems worldwide. The project’s success will be a crucial step in protecting one of Europe’s most historically and ecologically significant offshore areas. We can’t wait to see the transformative impact this project will have on marine conservation.