Y Môr a Ni and its partners – North Wales Wildlife Trust, Project SIARC (led by the Zoological Society of London and Natural Resources Wales), the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) and Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau Special Area of Conservation – joined forces with Team Wales to celebrate Wales’ seas, wildlife and coastal communities as part of the King's Baton Relay.
Through this partnership, Y Môr a Ni and its collaborators highlighted the vital relationship between people and the sea, celebrated local communities taking action to protect marine habitats, and recognised the coastal communities that depend on these environments for work, recreation and wellbeing.
Reece Halstead, Ocean Literacy Co-ordinator for Wales at Y Môr a Ni, said: "Everyone in Wales has a relationship with the sea, whether we realise it or not. It's fantastic to have worked with Team Wales to showcase the connections between sport, nature and our coastal communities through activities such as beachcombing, snorkelling and diving. The more opportunities people have to safely experience our seas, the more likely they are to value and help protect them for future generations."
The King's Baton Relay is a global tradition that brings together all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories through community, culture and sport. Launched by His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in March 2025, the relay culminated at the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on 23 July 2026.
On 22nd June, Y Môr a Ni was joined on Porthdinllaen beach on Pen Llŷn by community champions, North Wales Wildlife Trust Seagrass Ocean Rescue young people, partners and Team Wales, primed and ready to showcase Wales' incredible seas and beaches. Attendees collected shark and skate eggcases, snorkelled over a seagrass meadow and even hopped onto a RIB boat, whilst chosen ‘King’s baton bearers’ paraded along the beach and through the water with the Team Wales community baton.
The following day, North Wales Wildlife Trust led a guided nature walk around Menai Bridge, Anglesey, with Team Wales, local volunteers from the Menai Bridge ‘Canolfan’ community centre and cast members from the Welsh TV serial drama ‘Rownd a Rownd’. Y Môr a Ni ventured beneath the iconic Menai Suspension Bridge, past rockpools filled with nudibranchs, or sea slugs, and heard a range of squawking wading birds. The day concluded as Welsh Ocean Literacy Coalition partners, RNLI, led SwimSafe activities for local school groups, highlighting the importance of accessing our seas safely.