This episode takes us to the Cornish coast, hence the change of intro sounds for this episode and the inclusion of some wails from a hungry grey seal pup. Grey seals are globally rare and the UK is lucky to have a third of the global population. They are particularly near and dear to my heart after I did a project with the fantastic Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust a few years ago and our efforts got some great public support from a Cornwall-based brand called Finisterre. Make sure to check out the organization through the link in our show notes.

Our human guest for this episode is the great Hugo Tagholm.

Hugo is a massively influential voice and leader in ocean activism in the UK and was my way in to understanding the issues facing the oceans and waterways of my new home in England after moving here a few years ago. He led Surfers Against Sewage into becoming a full fledged charity and one of the most respected and trusted voices when it comes to water issues in the UK. After an incredible run at SAS, Hugo became the Executive Director for the UK at Oceana.

In this episode, we talk about the ocean as a great leveler, working with nature rather than against it, how we can spur a just transition to transform our economy and culture for a more environmentally friendly future, and even a little bit of what Hugo talked about with His Majesty the King, King Charles, when he was the Prince of Wales and became a patron of Surfers Against Sewage. At the time of this recording, the King’s cancer diagnosis was not known and so myself and I am sure Hugo wish him a full and lasting recovery. King Charles has been and continues to be a powerful voice in the UK and globally on environmental issues.

Many thanks to Hugo for taking time to chat. Make sure to check out the links for a link to Oceana’s latest campaign video in support of banning bottom trawling in our Marine Protected Areas.


Links

Hugo Tagholm on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-tagholm-2a544235/

Hugo Tagholm on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hugotagholm/

Oceana UK Bottom Trawling Campaign Video - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7166784418081140736/

Oceana UK Website - https://uk.oceana.org/

Finisterre article on the Grey Seals and Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust - https://finisterre.com/blogs/broadcast/cornwall-seal-group-research-trust

Thanks to 'schaarsen' for the Grey Seal pup audio. https://freesound.org/people/schaarsen/sounds/662556/