Since September of 2019, I have been developing my own Non-profit alongside four fellow master's colleagues. The Cuttlefish Conservation Initiative (CCI) was originally developed as a university project during our MSc Marine Conservation degree at the University of Plymouth, UK.
After graduation, we felt that there was significant need and space in the marine conservation field for an organisation such as this and have since been working towards registration status in the UK which we obtained in January of 2022.
Registration Number: 1197622
CCI aims to build a sustainable world for cuttlefish.
As cuttlefish remain an unregulated species in UK and European fisheries, populations are plummeting with very little mitigation and management in place to protect them. Vital seagrass habitats are also being constantly destroyed through moorings or urban developments.
Through the development of research to fill gaps in knowledge at the local, regional, national and international level, CCI aims to work with relavent stakeholders to educate the wider public on the issue and potential consequences but also to influence current and future policy and legislation.
Since registration, our notable milestones include:
Launching the website (www.cuttlefishconservation.com)
Designed a flyer and represented at outreach events throughout the Southwest UK
Opening a charity bank account
Maintaining a collaboration with Aquanauts dive centre
Being granted funding from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) in Plymouth, UK and starting preliminary lab research
Undertaking education workshops (The University of Plymouth)
Launching Project Sepia with a data logging form
Started developing grant applications for further research projects
With many more updates to come as the year progresses...
- September 2019 - Present
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