Marine life
Does the UK have any coral reefs?
Coral reefs don't just belong in the tropics, says Helen Scales
“Exceptionally rare” North Atlantic right whale spotted off the coast of Ireland for the first time in 114 years
The critically endangered species hasn’t been confirmed in Irish waters since 1910.
Stunning rainbow sea slug seen for the first time in Devon
A father and daughter were amazed to find the multicolour nudibranch while rockpooling near Wembury on the south coast of Devon.
Rare 'jumping sharks' spotted off the coast of Wales
Two thresher sharks, which are known for their ability to jump fully out of the water, were seen swimming off the Pembrokeshire coast earlier this week.
80% drop in plastic carrier bags on UK beaches, finds new study
The decrease coincides with the introduction of carrier bag charges a decade ago, says the Marine Conservation Society.
Is there a shark in the River Thames? Here's what the experts think...
Video footage taken near Hammersmith Bridge in London shows what appears to be the fin of large animal moving through the water.
Huge 23-foot shark struck by boat off the west coast of County Kerry
The collision happened in the waters around the Dingle Peninsula, south-west Ireland.
Amazing humpback whale display stuns boat-full of Jersey schoolchildren
The school group was returning from a trip to Sark in the English Channel when they saw the humpback breach.
Bottlenose dolphin guide: Everything you need to know about these fascinating creatures
Learn all about the endearing bottlenose dolphin, which lives and plays in the waters off the British coastline
Meet the highly venomous weever fish, which lurks just below the low water mark on our shores
To tread on a weever fish is to taunt a tiger says Adele Brand - and you won't like the painful consequences
Enormous ocean giants: Discover 10 of the UK’s largest sea animals
Think large ocean animals only live in foreign waters? Think again! You can see huge sharks, whales and turtles right here on our coastlines, says Melissa Hobson
"It's like therapy for me". Citizen scientists reveal the unexpected health benefits of whale and dolphin watching
Meet the army of volunteers helping marine life – and themselves.
Meet the sunfish - the ocean's strangest fish
This bizarre beauty is the world's heaviest bony fish, with a body shaped like a giant disc.
Strange blue animals are washing up on Guernsey’s beaches. Scientists think they know why
The colony of animals, closely related to jellyfish, are harmless to humans, say the scientists.
Watch: incredibly rare (and very cute) seahorse found on Cornish beach walk
Only seven long-snouted seahorses have been spotted in the last 10 years, making the sighting in Cornwall particularly exciting.
A Somerset schoolgirl has discovered what may be the largest marine reptile ever found
The remains of an enormous jawbone more than two metres long have been found on a beach at Blue Anchor in south-west England. Scientists believe the bones belong to a new species of giant ichthyosaur that was the size of a blue whale.
185 hectares of new seagrass meadows discovered in UK waters
Almost 100 new seagrass beds covering a surface area the size of 200 football pitches have been found as part of the inaugural Great Seagrass Survey.
Jellyfish boom: sightings up 32% in UK waters
A new report by the Marine Conservation Society has revealed a huge rise in jellyfish sightings in UK and Irish waters over the past year.
Oyster reef the 'size of a football pitch' created in North East England
10,000 European native oysters have been introduced to a newly built living reef off the coast of Sunderland in bid to restore the threatened species and support Britain’s marine life.
Guide to jellyfish: British species identification and how to treat stings
Jellyfish swarm British seas in the summer months and often wash up along the shoreline. Learn how to identify, what they eat and what to do if you're unlucky enough to be stung by one.
British seashell guide: how to identify and where to find
Enhance your next beach walk with our guide to some of the most common seashells found along the British coastline.
Exploring a bustling seabird colony on the Yorkshire coast
Listen to the thrilling bustle of a seabird colony as naturalist Megan Shersby visits RSPB Bempton Cliffs on the Yorkshire coast in episode 9, season 15 of the Countryfile Plodcast
Podcast: Relax to a soothing wander around the hidden coves of Anglesey
Meet grey seals and shorebirds at forgotten Cemlyn Bay on the northern coast of Anglesey in episode 4, season 15 of the Countryfile Magazine Plodcast
Seaweed guide: common UK species and how to identify them
There are over 600 types of seaweed in the UK – here we look at 10 of the most common, including some of the best types of edible seaweed to look for on UK shores.