Now that Lundy's seals have become used to snorkelers joining them under water, they've adapted to making the most of what's being offered as alternative basking sites by the sailing fraternity. This youngster didn't seem too bothered - "Just chilling', man..." 

An image of a grey seal at taken at Lundy during the summer of 2024 (The curious seal by David Alpert) won in two categories of this year’s Underwater Photographer of the Year Awards: British Underwater Photographer of the Year and British Waters Wide Angle. More information can be found here.

A nationally rare sea slug Trapania tartanella was recorded for the first time at Lundy in July 2024 on the wreck of the MV Robert.

This nudibranch was first recorded in Britain from the Manacles, south Cornwall, in 2007, with a second record from Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, in 2009. Further distribution is known from Galicia on the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal (Marine Life Encyclopedia).

This new nudibranch record comes hard on the heels of another first for Lundy from 2022 when the delightful Gargamella rosi was recorded from off The Battery on the west side of the island during the Marine Bioblitz.

For the first time in the UK, Historic England is using new technology to mark artefacts (including cannons) forensically from some of England’s 57 most historic and archaeologically important Protected Wreck Sites. A form of ‘gunk’ has been developed which remains invisible on the artefacts and also on skin, gloves or dive suits, until an untraviolet light is shone on it. In addition, the gunk’s formula can be made specific to a particular site. Marking important historic artefacts in this way gives them even greater protection as they will now be traceable.

This project by Historic England, working with MSDS Marine, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) and partners is sending a direct message to potential thieves that underwater artefacts such as cannons on Protected Wreck Sites are ‘too hot to handle.’

A spokesperson for Historic England said: “As the 50th anniversary of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 is marked this year (2023), Historic England continues to research new and innovative approaches to reduce the risk and tackle heritage crime at sea. This is a significant development in the protection of vulnerable underwater archaeological sites. It forms part of the Heritage Watch scheme, which aims to help prevent and detect heritage crime in local areas and encourages the public to use their eyes and ears to look after our cultural heritage.”

Lundy’s Gull Rock site could be the ideal place for using the gunk – we only wish it had been available 30 years ago!

The MPA’s Advisory Group were informed of this new invention by Terry Newman, Historic England’s Maritime Archaeologist and their representative on the Group, at their meeting on 18 October 2023.