Boardmasters joins 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 own surf and music festival which, since its inception, has proudly called the Cornish coast home. Under the partnership the two organisations join forces to raise awareness and take action with a collective 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 this initiative, Boardmasters and Oceana are working with local Falmouth University arts students to create original protest art calling for true protection, which will be displayed at The View stage during the festival.
The urgency of this call 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. This destructive form of fishing, which is permitted by the government in this MPA year-round, effectively bulldozes the seabed and scoops up almost all life in its path.
Sustainability and environmental awareness has been a 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 organisations, as well as introducing tangible initiatives to drive real results, including the festival’s Green Pledge and #LeaveOnlyFootprints campaign. Each year, Boardmasters conducts an impact report to monitor, learn and improve.
Now, through collaboration with organisations like Oceana, they are continuing this work to make Boardmasters one of the most environmentally conscious and low-impact festivals out there.
Rob Spring, Festival Director of Boardmasters said, “Sustainability matters to us at Boardmasters, and we know there's always more to do. 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.
Hugo Tagholm, Executive Director of Oceana in the UK said, “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. 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 to stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and more, Oceana’s work is delivering results around the world. Based out of Cornwall and London, Oceana UK's campaigns to safeguard UK seas are backed by the latest science, razor-sharp advocacy, and creative storytelling. They focus on ending new licences for oil and gas, ending overfishing, and banning destructive bottom-trawl fishing in marine protected areas.
Boardmasters takes place from 5th - 9th August 2026. Visit www.boardmasters.com for more information.
