Bernard the Gurnard returns to fight for MPAs

Bernard is back - and this time, he talks. TV Naturalist Nick Baker provides the voice for Bernard in our new campaign animation for The Wildlife Trusts.

In the UK, virtually none of the sea has any form of protection. The original 'petition fish' campaign helped get the Marine Bil through parliament - but there's a long way to go before Marine Protected Areas are established. The vested interests are already hard at work trying to dilute the bill until it becomes meaningless.

Please sign up and help us protect the seas around the UK. 

More about the campaign

SEALIFE aquariums get a dash of the Joandjoe treatment

Our design company, Archipelago, was commissioned to help SEALIFE raise awareness amongst aquarium visitors of key marine conservation issues.

This animation is focussed on Seahorses and shows how choosing sustainably-fished seafood can protect Seahorses (and their fragile environment) from destructive fishing techniques.

The animations are being shown in The London Aquarium, SEALIFE Jesolo (venice), SEALIFE Dallas, and several others.

Tell us what you want on Joandjoe.com

What would you like to see on the site? Please post your comments, requests and suggestions here.

Are there particular events you'd like to see more cards for? Are the cards the right length? Do you think the membership fee is good value? Which underwater creatures would you like to see?

We want to make the site as good as it possibly can be, so don't be shy - let us know what you think!

European sharks need your help!

Did you know that European waters have around 130 species of sharks, including the VERY cool Porbeagle (which looks like a minature Great White) and the beautiful Spur Dogfish that can live for 120 years?

I didn't, possibly because I haven't been sea fishing, and I'm a fair-weather Diver who likes at least 30 metres of visibility and temperatures upwards of 18˚C!

Incredibly, one third of European shark species are now threatened with extinction. Many are caught by European boats for their fins, which are sold in Asia for Sharkfin soup. Finning is technically illegal in Europe but the laws are full of loopholes and it still happens on a massive scale.

Sharks are also caught for everyday food. That 'Rock Cod' you got from the Fish & Chip shop? It's a Dogfish. Some species don't breed until they're 20 years old, and then they only have a handful of pups, so even to take ONE out is a big deal.

We don't know exactly what impact these extinctions would have. In Tasmania the fishermen wiped out the sharks, which then didn't eat the octopus (octopi?), who bred like.. er... rabbits, then ate ALL the lobsters - and completely destroyed Tasmania's lobster-fishing industry. So there's probably a good economic case to protect our sharks, as well as an obvious moral one.

Archipelago (our design company) was commissioned by The Shark Alliance to produce an animation for European Shark Week. It sets the scene and explains what we need to do. You can see the animation here. Please take a moment to sign the petition - European sharks need your help!

Climate change animations launched

Our daytime-job-design-agency Archipelago was commissioned by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) to create three short animated films explaining climate change and its impact on coral reefs.

It was a real challenge to explain such complex processes in a clear and engaging way, but we nailed it and the feedback (from kids through to marine science boffins) has been fantastic!

The animations have gone into schools and to TV networks across Australia, and are now available online at the links below.

'What is Coral Bleaching?'

'What is Climate Change?'

'Impacts of Climate Change'

We'd love to hear your comments on these.