Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-07-22
Boardmasters Festival is joining forces with Oceana and Falmouth University students to campaign for a ban on destructive bottom trawling in UK marine protected areas.
Oceana is the official environmental partner of Boardmasters, Cornwall’s surf and music festival, which has proudly called the Cornish coast home since its inception. Through the partnership, the two organizations are working together to raise awareness and take action with the shared goal of protecting the ocean and coastlines.
This year, Boardmasters is taking its commitment a step further by backing an end to destructive fishing in marine protected areas. As part of the initiative, Boardmasters and Oceana are working with local Falmouth University arts students to create original protest art calling for true protection. The artwork will be displayed at The View stage during the festival.
The urgency of the campaign is underscored by the fact that the marine protected area off Newquay, Cornwall, where the festival is held, suffered 2,494 hours of apparent bottom trawling in 2025. The destructive form of fishing, which is permitted by the government in this marine protected area year-round, effectively bulldozes the seabed and scoops up almost all life in its path.
Sustainability and environmental awareness have been part of Boardmasters’ ethos since the beginning. Over the years, Boardmasters has taken industry-leading steps to reduce its impact on the local environment, working with leading consultants and innovative organizations while introducing tangible initiatives designed to deliver measurable results, including the festival’s Green Pledge and #LeaveOnlyFootprints campaign.
Each year, Boardmasters conducts an impact report to monitor its progress, learn from the results and identify ways to improve.
Through collaborations with organizations such as Oceana, the festival is continuing its work to make Boardmasters one of the most environmentally conscious and low-impact festivals.
“Sustainability matters to us at Boardmasters, and we know there’s always more to do,” said Boardmasters Festival Director Rob Spring. “We’re grateful to work alongside Oceana, and this year we have invited students from Falmouth University to help shine a spotlight on this vital issue through their creativity. It’s part of our ongoing effort to protect the coastline we’re lucky to call home.”
“It’s inspiring to work with the Boardmasters team and passionate local arts students to bring this vital message to everyone who attends this brilliant festival,” said Hugo Tagholm, executive director of Oceana in the UK. “It’s appalling to think that while we surf the waves of Newquay’s world-class Fistral Beach, out at sea ocean life and habitats are being degraded and destroyed. We must ensure our marine sanctuaries are properly protected to safeguard ocean health and allow UK seas to thrive once again.”
With more than 300 victories addressing overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and other threats, Oceana’s work is delivering results around the world. Based in Cornwall and London, Oceana UK’s campaigns to safeguard UK seas are backed by scientific research, advocacy and creative storytelling.
The organization’s campaigns focus on ending new oil and gas licenses, ending overfishing and banning destructive bottom-trawl fishing in marine protected areas.
Boardmasters takes place August 5–9, 2026.
VISIT BOARDMASTERS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
