North Wales Wildlife Trust are proud to be a delivery partner of Projetc SIARC. Established in 2021, Project SIARC is a multi-partner collaboration led by ZSL (Zoological Society of London) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW). It aims to safeguard the rare species of sharks, skates and rays (a group known as elasmobranchs) living off the Welsh coast that form an integral part of the country’s natural heritage. Through flagship species, such as the charming yet threatened angelshark, the project works together with fishers, citizen scientists, schools and local communities to both identify and remove barriers to accessing the coast and sea, and cultivate awareness and appreciation for the rich underwater world along the Welsh coast. 

Clwb Pêl‑droed Pwllheli, founded in 1879 and playing at the Recreation Ground in Pwllheli, competes in the Ardal Northern League (Tier 3) and boasts a vibrant, bilingual fanbase and extensive youth and community programmes .

“We’re excited to have Project SIARC on board,” said Carl Jones, Manager of Pwllheli FC. “Their work connecting communities with marine conservation mirrors our own mission to unite people through football.”

The partnering of Project SIARC and CPD Pwllheli FC will strengthen ties and support collaborative working. 

“A sponsorship from Project SIARC will have a wide-ranging positive impact on Clwb Pêl-droed Pwllheli. Financially, it will provide valuable support for essentials such as kits, travel costs, youth development programmes, and facility improvements,” said Gwern ap Rhisiart, member of Clwb Pêl-droed Pwllheli committee. “Beyond funding, the partnership will strengthen community engagement and promote environmental awareness by linking the club with marine conservation initiatives, reinforcing local identity and care for nearby coastal habitats. Joint activities such as learning and science events will boost the club’s public profile, building wider support. Importantly, the sponsorship will also create educational opportunities for young players, giving them access to marine workshops and enriching experiences that extend beyond the football pitch. “

Project SIARC works across the coastline of the Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau Special Area of Conservation together with local communities and partner organisations. Through co-design, the project aims to identify and begin to address barriers to experiencing, accessing and learning about the coast and sea locally. CPD Pwllheli FC and Project SIARC have been trialing a number of events and activities in 2025 that bring together sports, coast and sea for both members of the club and also the wider community. So far this has already included Project SIARC activities at the annual Youth Tournament and a holiday camp during the summer school holidays. 

“This sponsorship is more than just a logo on player’s sleeves - it’s a celebration of coastal heritage and community. It’s a connection between people and the fascinating world hidden under the waves right on our doorstep. CPD Pwllheli FC is an incredibly important and passionate community hub in Pwllheli, bringing people together through its activities and programmes,”” said Project SIARC EDI Community Officer Hannah Lee-Williams, “We’re proud to support CPD Pwllheli FC as we work together to celebrate Wales’ marine life, local culture and language. This is just the start of something really exciting, and we’re keen to work with sports teams, activity clubs, communities and councilors across Pen Llŷn to identify ways to co-create new opportunities to ensure that everyone can experience what this incredible coastline has to offer in a way which suits them”.

As a partnership project, Project SIARC is delivered by several delivery and collaborative partners. As part of Project SIARC, the North Wales Wildlife Trust are working closely with community groups and volunteers to increase recording of shark and skate eggcase finds throughout North Wales to the Shark Trust. 

“We are delighted to be a part of this exciting partnership.” said Nia Haf Jones of North Wales Wildlife Trust. “Connecting people with the sea through shared community experiences is at the heart of everything we do and so we’re incredibly excited to be teaming up with CPD Pwllheli FC to get hands-on with shark, skate and ray research and taking part in the Shark Trust’s Great Eggcase Hunt”

This work was made possible thanks to the support of Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Fund, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and On the Edge.

About the Partners

Clwb Pêl‑droed Pwllheli FC (Pwllheli FC), established in November 1879, is a cornerstone of the Pwllheli community. The club’s decades-long commitment spans youth teams, senior men’s and women’s squads, and a focus on fostering local talent and engagement. 

Project SIARC (Sharks Inspiring Action and Research with Communities) is a multidisciplinary project operating across Welsh Special Areas of Conservation, including coastal regions around North Wales. Working together with communities, schools, citizen scientists, and fishers, the project is working to co-create approaches to remove barriers to accessing and experiencing the coast and sea, aims to fill vital data gaps on sharks, skates and rays through fishers and scientists working together, has recorded thousands of shark and skate eggcases and documented a wide array of species via underwater camera footage SIARC | Sharks Inspiring Action and Research with Communities. 

Project SIARC is a multidisciplinary project, combining both social and biological sciences. It is led by Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and delivered in partnership with Bangor University, Blue Abacus, Minorities in Shark Sciences, the North Wales Wildlife Trust, Shark Trust and Swansea University alongside a wide network of collaborative partners. 

Founded in 1826, ZSL is an international conservation charity, driven by science, working to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world; by protecting critical species, restoring ecosystems, helping people and wildlife live together and inspiring support for nature. Through our leading conservation zoos, London and Whipsnade, we bring people closer to nature and use our expertise to protect wildlife today, while inspiring a lifelong love of animals in the conservationists of tomorrow. Visit www.zsl.org for more information.

WWW:  Prosiect SIARC | Project SIARC

Facebook: Project SIARC | ZSLMarine

Instagram: @projectsiarc | @officialzsl

Natural Resources Wales

Natural Resources Wales is leading the way in the challenge of ensuring Wales can survive and thrive against the backdrop of the nature, climate and pollution emergencies - advising and regulating industry, and working with partners to improve the quality of our waters, the air we breathe and the land and special places that we manage sustainably. From flooding to pollution incidents, we’re always braced to keep people and wildlife safe from the impacts of environmental incidents 24/7. Every decision we make is rooted in evidence, the expertise of our colleagues and the passion of the people living in the communities that we work alongside every day. 

For more information www.naturalresources.wales

North Wales Wildlife Trust

Our vision is of ‘a thriving natural world, with wildlife and natural habitats playing a valued role in addressing the climate and nature emergencies and people empowered to take action for nature’. We are the leading charity in North Wales dedicated exclusively to conserving all our habitats and species, with a membership of more than 10,000. We campaign for the protection of wildlife and invest in the future by helping people of all ages to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of wildlife. We care for 35 nature reserves spanning over 750 hectares. For further information about North Wales Wildlife Trust please phone 01248 351541 or e-mail info@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk