“Here in Britain, we have some of the richest seas in Europe. Yet few of us have seen the wonders beyond the beach and beneath the waves.”

Sir David Attenborough

Sir David declared in the incredible ‘Wild Isles’ BBC series earlier this year that we have some of the richest seas in Europe. But those seas are under serious threat. They are facing a multitude of deadly challenges, from pollution, overfishing, climate change & dredging. Dredging is increasing, while pollution and sewage are piling pressure on coastal ecosystems. This month we have an ‘unheard of’ marine heatwave off the UK and Irish coasts which has posed an even greater danger to marine life. Sustained high temperatures throughout this summer could trigger mass mortality of fish and oysters. The evidence is overwhelming and the seas and marine life around our coastlines are in peril. We felt inspired to do something, to get off the couch, put down the remote and heed Sir David’s calls to get out there and fight to protect our wildlife and the natural world.

So we have decided to launch our new 2023 expedition… The No-Take Swim. With Big Brother Robbie in Slovakia and Little Brother Jack down under in Sydney, this expedition will fall on the medium-sized shoulders of Middle Brother Calum with some support from special guests, wild swimming legends and the motleyest crew since… well, the Motley Crew. Without further ado, we launch The No-Take Swim.

The No Take Swim

The aim of this expedition is to...

• To raise awareness about the importance of no-take zones

• To inspire people to go outdoor swimming

• To inspire the next generation of people to conserve and protect the ocean

• To raise awareness & to create a 5th No Take Zone in the UK

But what is a No Take Zone and why are they so important? A no-take zone is an area of the ocean or coastal waters where all extractive activities are prohibited. These zones are established to conserve marine ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and allow fish and other marine species to thrive undisturbed.

In a no-take zone, fishing, hunting, and other forms of exploitation are strictly prohibited, creating a sanctuary for marine life. The primary objective is to restore and maintain the health and abundance of marine ecosystems, as well as to protect vulnerable or endangered species.

No-take zones can vary in size and design, ranging from small areas within a larger protected area to large-scale reserves encompassing entire coastal regions or offshore zones. They may be established by governments, environmental organizations, or local communities, often in collaboration with scientists, stakeholders, and fishing communities.

The benefits of no-take zones include the preservation of biodiversity, the replenishment of fish populations, the protection of important habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds, and the promotion of sustainable fisheries outside the protected area. These zones also provide opportunities for scientific research and monitoring of marine ecosystems.

No-take zones are a key tool in marine conservation and are increasingly recognized as an effective strategy to safeguard the health and resilience of oceans and coastal areas.

There are currently four No Take Zones in the UK and we intend the swim across all of them. Filming, documenting and sharing the story of what is happening to UK waters and the marine life on which our very lives depend.

The objectives of the expedition are to complete 4 swims across the 4 No Take Zones of the UK

• Swim 1 = Swim through the Flamborough Head No-Take Zone

• Swim 2 = Swim the length of the Medway Estuary No Take Zone

• Swim 3 = Swim across the Isle of Arran No Take Zone

• Swim 4 = Swim the length of the Lundy Island No-Take Zone

We will be completing these 4 swims over the course of the next 4 months.

No Take Swim 1 - Flamborough Head no take zone

This swim will be around the iconic coastline of Flamborough Head before crossing the Flamborough No Take Zone in Northern England. The No Take Zone was established in 2010 as a way to monitor changes in species and habitats on the south side of Flamborough Head, without any human interference. Working with local fishers, this small area of intertidal and sub-tidal rocky shore, sandy seabed and boulders, is part of a suite of sites which provide protection to Flamborough’s unique geology and wildlife.

No Take Swim 2 - Medway Estuary no take zone

This swim will be along the length of the Medway Estuary No Take Zone in Southern England. The River Medway Nursery Area (Prohibition of Fishing) Byelaw prohibits any fishing activity in an area of the Medway four times larger than the City of London. The no-take zone covers 12.1 square kilometres (4.6 square miles) of saltmarsh and mudflat environments that are vitally important to a wide variety of fish.

No Take Swim 3 - Lamlash Bay no take zone

This swim will be across the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone off the Western coast of Scotland. Lamlash Bay No Take Zone (NTZ) was the first Community-led Marine Reserve of its kind in Scotland when established in 2008. No fish or shellfish can be taken from its waters or seabed, including the shore area. It covers 2.67 sq km and was the result of 13 years of campaigning by the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST).

Lamlash Bay is home to one of the largest areas of maerl beds in Scotland. These coralline pink seaweed form a complex maze that is ideal for small species to find food and hide from predators. This area also has patches of seagrass beds, kelp forests and spectacular boulders covered with beautiful sea life.

No Take Swim 4 - Lundy Island no take zone

This swim will be across the Lundy Island No Take Zone off the west coast of Wales. The Lundy No Take Zone is a small patch of the Bristol Channel off Lundy's east coast in which all fishing has been banned for reasons of nature conservation. It is the first legally enforced no-fishing area in UK waters.

We invite you to join us for the No Take Swim and you can follow the journey across all our social channels. If you are press/local media and wish to get in touch to discuss the swim please contact middlebrother@wildswimbro.com.