Boardmasters is strengthening its long-standing commitment to sustainability through an expanded partnership with Oceana, the festival’s official environmental partner. Together, the two organizations are using the platform of Cornwall’s renowned surf and music festival to raise awareness, inspire action, and advocate for stronger protections for the ocean and its fragile coastal ecosystems.
Building on years of environmental initiatives, this year’s collaboration takes a bold step forward by supporting an end to destructive fishing practices within marine protected areas. As part of the campaign, Boardmasters and Oceana have partnered with arts students from Falmouth University to create original protest artwork calling for genuine marine conservation. The pieces will be showcased at The View stage throughout the festival, encouraging attendees to engage with one of the region’s most pressing environmental issues.
The campaign is driven by growing concern over the condition of the marine protected area off Newquay, Cornwall, where the festival takes place. In 2025, the area experienced 2,494 hours of apparent bottom trawling—a destructive fishing practice that drags heavy equipment across the seabed, damaging marine habitats and capturing nearly all sea life in its path. Despite the area’s protected status, bottom trawling remains permitted year-round, highlighting the need for stronger safeguards.
Environmental responsibility has been a cornerstone of Boardmasters since the festival’s inception. Over the years, organizers have introduced a range of sustainability initiatives designed to minimize the event’s impact on the local environment. These efforts include the festival’s Green Pledge, the #LeaveOnlyFootprints campaign, and annual environmental impact reports that help measure progress while identifying new opportunities for improvement.
Through continued collaboration with organizations such as Oceana, Boardmasters aims to further establish itself as one of the music industry’s most environmentally conscious festivals, demonstrating that large-scale live events can play an active role in protecting the landscapes and coastlines that define their identity.
Festival Director Rob Spring emphasized the importance of the partnership, saying:
“Sustainability matters to us at Boardmasters, and we know there’s always more to do. We’re grateful to work alongside Oceana, and this year we have invited students from Falmouth University to help shine a spotlight on this vital issue through their creativity. It’s part of our ongoing effort to protect the coastline we’re lucky to call home.”
Hugo Tagholm, Executive Director of Oceana UK, echoed that sentiment while highlighting the urgent need for stronger marine protections:
“It’s inspiring to work with the Boardmasters team and passionate local arts students to bring this vital message to everyone who attends this brilliant festival. It’s appalling to think that while we surf the waves of Newquay’s world-class Fistral Beach, out at sea ocean life and habitats are being degraded and destroyed. We must ensure our marine sanctuaries are properly protected to safeguard ocean health and allow UK seas to thrive once again.”
The partnership reflects Oceana’s broader global mission to protect and restore the world’s oceans. With more than 300 successful campaigns addressing overfishing, habitat destruction, plastic pollution, and offshore oil development, the organization has helped secure meaningful environmental victories worldwide. Operating from Cornwall and London, Oceana UK combines scientific research, public advocacy, and creative storytelling to campaign for healthier seas, including efforts to end new oil and gas licenses, combat overfishing, and ban destructive bottom-trawl fishing within the UK’s marine protected areas.
As Boardmasters continues to blend world-class surfing, live music, and environmental stewardship, its partnership with Oceana reinforces the festival’s commitment to protecting the coastline that has defined its identity from the very beginning.
Boardmasters takes place from 5th – 9th August 2026. Visit Boardmasters for more information.