Cornish Sucker
This week’s Species in Focus is the Cornish Sucker. This unique looking fish may be little but packs a powerful ability to latch on to rocky surfaces using its adapted pelvic fins.
Join us for National BioBlitz 2026, a week of discovery, biodiversity recording and citizen science across the UK! This year we’ll once again be focusing on invasive species, helping scientists better understand where these species are appearing and how they impact our native ecosystems.
Click on the tiles below to learn more.
23rd to 31st May 2026
The Big Rock Pool Challenge: National BioBlitz takes place all across the UK, and anyone can take part wherever they are. Participants head to their local rocky shore, explore the rock pools, and record what they find using the iNaturalist app. It is a flexible, week-long event, so you can choose the day that works best for you. Whether you take part on your own or with friends and family, you can help build a national picture of marine life on our coasts.
Since the 1960s, over 20 invasive marine species have established on UK shores, and more are expected. These non-native species often arrive via shipping or climate shifts and can harm native wildlife and ecosystems. Many are small, under-recorded, and spreading.
By recording what you find, you'll support conservation and marine management across the UK.
Want to learn more?
Explore this fantastic Marine Non-Native Species ID Guide from our partners at the Marine Biological Association (MBA):
MBA Marine Non-Native Species Guide (PDF)
If you are new to the Rock Pool Project, click the "Register" button below, and you will be added to our mailing list. We will then send full registration details to you, and will keep you up to date with event news and information.
Current members can sign up directly using the BioBlitz Battle App.
We want to cover as much of the UK coast as possible- check out the map below to see which areas we haven't covered yet. There are bonus points for the first to record in a new location!
Use iNaturalist to make records of species. We're particularly interested in recording invasive, non-native species, so keep your eyes peeled!
See how your finds stack up to other participants'- check out the leaderboard and exclusive prizes available below.
Throughout the week, we will be running online webinars hosted by experts. Stay tuned for further details and a full timetable of sessions.
There are several exciting prizes up for grabs! Win yourself a limited edition National BioBlitz hoodie for gaining the highest overall score, or a National BioBlitz T-shirt for being the highest scorer in your region.
Rock pooling responsibly: Please read our Rock Pooling Guide for advice on how to explore safely and minimise disturbance to wildlife (available here).
Staying safe: Participation in the National BioBlitz is at your own risk. Ensure you are familiar with your survey location and any potential hazards. Always check tide times and weather conditions before setting out, and avoid surveying alone.
During the event the map below will become interactive. You will be able to see where data has already been collected by others, and where remains empty. Don't forget, if you fill in an empty grid cell you will gain bonus points!
This map shows you how many additional points you could gain for surveying in a particular area (grid cell). If you are the first to make a record in a 5km grid square you will earn an additional 50 bonus points, if you are the first in a 10km grid cell you will earn an extra 100 points, and if you are the first in a 100km grid cell you will earn 1000 points!
Ready to get recording? In this section, you can find current data and live event updates.
Watch this space for event updates during the 23rd-31st May!
Check out materials from National BioBlitz 2025.
Event Report 2025
Results and highlights from last year’s Big Rock Pool Challenge: National BioBlitz, where hundreds of participants explored and documented coastal wildlife.
Expert Webinar Series Recordings
Recordings from last year’s webinars where scientists shared insights on species identification, why monitoring matters, and how your observations make a difference.
The Big Rock Pool Challenge is proudly funded by The ScottishPower Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund whose generous support enables us to inspire communities and deliver lasting environmental impact across and beyond the South West.
This initiative is delivered in partnership with The Rock Pool Project and the Marine Biological Association. Together, we’re empowering people and their communities to connect with nature, contribute to valuable biodiversity data, and support the health of our coastal ecosystems for future generations.
This week’s Species in Focus is the Cornish Sucker. This unique looking fish may be little but packs a powerful ability to latch on to rocky surfaces using its adapted pelvic fins.
The Rock Pool Project Team pick out their top Rock Pooling Books
The broad-clawed porcelain crab is a charismatic little rock poolers favourite. It is the most common species of porcelain crab found in the UK and can often be found clinging tightly to the underside of rocks below mid tide level.
