The Marine Mission returns to offer the Jersey public a unique opportunity to hear from leading marine conservationists and environmentalists.

Some of the most respected voices in marine conservation from the UK and Channel Islands are in the island this weekend for the 2025 Marine Mission event. 

Speakers will cover a range of topics, including the pressures facing puffins and the secret life of seahorses in British waters. 

Attendees will hear from over 20 exhibitors and guests, with an open Q&A at the end to ask guests and conservation experts about things that sparked their interest. 

St Ouen's Bay

Exhibitions and interactive displays will showcase work, media, and research from Neolithic Archaeology, Jersey National Park, Société Jersiaise Bat Group and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue amongst many others. 

This free event takes place in the Rocco Suite at the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel from 5:30 - 9pm.

Kevin McIlwee, Chairman and founder of Jersey Marine Conservation, said: "We can take about 300 (people), and last year it was a full house. Everybody said 'great night, when are you going to do it again?'.

"This year is the fifth one celebrating our coastlands and wetland areas. It's an incredible opportunity for people to find out what's amazing about those areas and finding out about the people and organisations that are involved with protecting and managing it.

"We have a whole series of talks plus exhibitions. It's going to be a fantastic free event."

Organised by Jersey Marine Conservation, the evening is part of a wider effort to educate and connect the community with these essential ecosystems - coinciding with the global observance of World Wetlands Day.

Speakers and exhibitors

- Andrew Mitchell – A year as Chairman of the Jersey Ramsar Advisory Group

- Kevin McIlwee – Key Marine Conservation Projects of 2024

- Amy Hall – Bats of the Écréhous & Minquiérs

- Freddie Watson – Blue Marine Foundation and Marine Protection

- Grace Bailey – Underwater Photography Highlights of 2024

- Paul Chambers – Geology and Aspiring Jersey Geopark

- Tamsin Raine – Ocean Culture Life and the Story Tellers

- Alex Purdie – Puffins, Seabird Colonies, and the Alderney Wildlife Trust

- Beccy Macdonald-Lofts – Seahorses of the UK and Marine Conservation Education

The evening will conclude with a live Q&A session, where attendees can engage with speakers and conservationists, including Professor Jamie Stevens (Biosciences, Exeter University), Dr Sean Dettman, and Bob Tompkins.

Visitors can explore a range of exhibitions:

Action For Wildlife

Alderney Wildlife Trust

Beccy Macdonald-Lofts - Seahorses of the UK

Bob Tompkins - Neolithic Archaeology

Blue Marine Foundation

British Divers Marine Life Rescue

Grace Bailey Photography

Jersey Island Geopark

Jersey International Centre of Advanced Studies,

Jersey Marine Conservation

Jersey National Park

Ocean Culture Life

Plastic Free Jersey

Ports of Jersey

Société Jersiaise Bat Group

The Government of Jersey Marine Resources.

Monday 3 February will feature a schools-only session, designed to educate and inspire the next generation about marine and environmental conservation.