A community interest group in Brixham is working hard to deliver an important marine conservation message to schoolchildren across Torbay.
The Cove Discovery Project was co-founded by Chris Thomas and Duncan Kenny around 2022.
This non-profit initiative was created to educate the community on marine conservation through presentations, workshops, and field trips with primary schools, secondary schools, universities, and community groups.
The project works on annual research, primarily on grey seals, in collaboration with the Manx Wildlife Trust on the Isle of Man.
It also works with postgraduate students at the University of Plymouth, enhancing their studies with local knowledge.
Co-founder Chris Thomas also launched the
365 Swim Challenge in 2019, which has since raised over £70,000 for various charities and causes across the county.
Chris has lived in Devon for most of his life, having moved from Watford at the age of nine.
In 1988, he joined the military and fought in the Gulf War in 1991 before a shattered femur brought him back to the UK six months later.
A musician by trade, Chris is also a solo singer and guitarist.
Chris said that the work they do would not be possible without the support of associate partners and collaborators.
The main funder is Mitch Tonks, founder and CEO of Rockfish, whose flagship restaurant is in Brixham.
“Mitch loves what we do because conservation and sustainability is a big part of his business,” said Chris.
“Working with the fishing industry rather than against it is a really good model for forward thinking because it benefits the whole ecosystem.”
Funding from Rockfish has enabled the creation of a conservation garden at Furzeham Primary School and supported all of the Cove Discovery Project’s educational initiatives at Furzeham Primary, Brixham C of E Primary, and Eden Park.
The project also receives support from the Devon Environment Foundation and is an associate partner of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark.
It collaborates with the Wild Planet Trust—the charity behind Paignton and Newquay Zoos—on seagrass research, surveys, and restoration, and with Till the Coast is Clear on remote coastal clearance.
Schools they have given talks at include Churston Ferrers Grammar School, Brixham Community College, and South Devon College.
Chris shared that students have described the project's presentations as “the best day they’ve ever had.”
He said: “The kids have a real grasp on marine life and the marine environment. They have an understanding about the impacts of marine litter and animal entanglements in it. They love it, and they do get really engaged and quite passionate about why we should be more aware and look after our environment.”
This week, the Cove Discovery Project led a letter-writing activity at Eden Park Primary, encouraging students to urge the mayor to take action on reducing plastic pollution in the sea.
Chris noted that conservation and environmental education are often lacking in primary school curriculums.
That’s why he and Duncan offer their services to schools free of charge, made possible by Rockfish’s funding.
“We need to be more understanding of how humans and marine life can coexist sustainably. Warming sea temperatures are a big concern as they’re bringing many different species into our waters. Whilst reports of tuna in Torquay might be exciting, it isn’t necessarily a good sign because they’re moving away from their natural habitats and food chains, which changes the dynamic of our ecosystem.
“The biggest threat to the marine environment is human impact—whether through pollution, commercial fishing, or climate change.”
The Cove Discovery Project operates entirely on a voluntary basis. To help fund their efforts, the founders have opened a shop in Brixham called Cove, selling ethically sourced and eco-friendly clothing and merchandise.
