The Live Here Love Here Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds campaign has begun its sixth annual programme, with a series of free events across Northern Ireland aimed at promoting physical health and mental wellbeing while drawing attention to marine pollution.

The initiative, backed by Belfast Harbour and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), features activities at coastal and inland water locations. Scheduled events include a young children's beach session at Ballygally Beach in County Antrim on 11 August, wakeboarding at Lisburn on 15 August, dance classes on the sand at Helen's Bay in County Down on multiple dates through August, an introduction to paddle boarding at Greencastle Beach on 23 August, and a rockpool school in Portballintrae on 26 August.

Organisers hope connecting people with blue spaces will foster a sense of stewardship. The campaign coincides with the publication of Live Here Love Here's Marine Litter Report 2025, which surveyed 12 beaches around Northern Ireland and documented 26,442 items of litter. Plastic accounted for 85 percent of the waste recorded.

Lynda Surgenor, community engagement manager at Live Here Love Here, stated that even very small pieces of litter can harm marine wildlife and the wider environment. She said the region's natural beauty required protection for generations to come, and noted that community groups already carry out essential litter picks along beaches, rivers and coastlines. The campaign, she explained, aims to help people experience the benefits of nature so they are motivated to look after it.

Jenni Barkley, communications engagement manager at Belfast Harbour, added that the programme consistently highlights the many ways people can enjoy local waterways and reinforces the importance of keeping them clean. She said the partnership with Live Here Love Here enables ongoing education about choices that reduce damage and pollution.

Beyond the scheduled programme, Live Here Love Here is collaborating with individuals, community groups, businesses, local authorities, schools and charities across Northern Ireland to develop additional events for the 2026 season.