Visit Isle of Man partners with broadcaster Monty Halls to launch the ‘Big Blue Bag’ initiative

Visit Isle of Man has today announced a new partnership with renowned TV broadcaster and marine biologist Monty Halls to pilot a new conservation project, the ‘Big Blue Bag’.

Monty Halls, best known for his work in highlighting the importance of marine conservation and the wonders of the ocean, has become an official ambassador for Visit Isle of Man and will work closely with the Visit Agency to champion the Island’s natural beauty, rich marine ecosystems and UNESCO Biosphere status through his new initiative which is focused on marine conservation.

This partnership marks a significant step in furthering the Isle of Man’s reputation as a destination that values sustainability and environmental stewardship and aligns with the principles outlined in the Visit Agency’s ten-year visitor economy strategy, ‘Our Island, Our Future’, which aims to position the Island as a leading eco-tourism destination in the British Isles. 

The new initiative, the ‘Big Blue Bag’, has been designed to encourage individuals of all ages to directly engage with and contribute in a meaningful way to the conservation of the UK’s coasts and shallow seas. The concept, which is going to be tested on the Isle of Man in conjunction with Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT), is a bag containing easy-to-follow sampling protocols that will enable users to collect vital data on marine health, including microplastic pollution, species biodiversity, water temperature and coastal debris. The plan is that the collected data can be uploaded to a digital app (currently in development), contributing to citizen science to help inform conservation efforts around the world.

Monty Halls, founder of the ‘Big Blue Bag’, commented:

‘I am thrilled to become an ambassador for Visit Isle of Man. The Isle of Man holds a special place in my heart with its extraordinary coastlines and deep-rooted connection to the sea. As the world’s first entire nation UNESCO Biosphere, the Island’s commitment to balancing the needs of its communities, economy and environment aligns perfectly with my own values. It’s a place where conservation and sustainability are at the forefront, and I’m proud to be working alongside such a forward-thinking destination to promote the protection of our natural world.

‘The support of Visit Isle of Man, Biosphere Isle of Man and Manx Wildlife Trust has been instrumental in bringing this concept to life. The ‘Big Blue Bag’ initiative is about empowering individuals to engage with the marine environment and take simple yet effective steps to help protect it. We hope that through this partnership we can encourage other coastal communities around the UK to take ownership of their marine environment.’

Deborah Heather, CEO of Visit Isle of Man, added:

‘We are delighted to partner with Monty as an ambassador for the Island and to support his inspiring ‘Big Blue Bag’ project. We must do everything in our power to ensure that the development of our visitor economy is environmentally sustainable and respects and enhances our seascape and landscape.

‘Monty’s passion and hands-on approach to conservation and sustainability aligns perfectly with our ambition to become a leading British eco-tourism destination, and the existing marine conservation work being carried out in the Island. Partnerships like this allow us to provide opportunities for our visitors and locals alike to better connect with our unique nature, wildlife and marine life.

‘Manx Wildlife Trust is the Isle of Man’s largest nature conservation charity, and they will be testing the very first bags within their existing engagement activities. MWT aim to ensure that the sampling protocols are applicable to all ages and experience, using their unique understanding of the environmental challenges facing the Isle of Man, and the wider world, to shape the system.’

The ‘Big Blue Bag’ will officially launch in Spring 2025. To watch the full promotional video, visit here.