Experts and Leaders Unite to Tackle Water Pollution in Devon

Burgh Island will once again serve as the venue for the Island Assembly, hosted by Avon River Champions and Bigbury Net Zero. This year’s event, held on Thursday 13th March, will focus on the pressing issue of water pollution in Devon’s rivers, with discussions centered on local and national strategies for improving water quality. 

With 80% of Devon’s rivers failing to meet ‘good’ ecological status, the Assembly will bring together conservationists, policymakers, and environmental experts to explore solutions. 

The Devon Rivers Manifesto will also be introduced, urging policymakers to restore funding for farmers implementing Catchment Sensitive Farming practices and advocating for stronger enforcement against water pollution by regulatory bodies. 

By convening scientists, campaigners, and decision-makers, the Bigbury NetZero Island Assembly aims to foster meaningful dialogue and action to restore and protect Devon’s rivers for future generations.  

Find out more about the Bigbury NetZero Island Assembly here >> 

PML’s Professor Pennie Lindeque, Professor Andy Rees and Dr Frances Hopkins are set to bring the science to bear at the Assembly, with expertise in very different, but equally pressing environmental issues affecting the health of Britain’s rivers.  

About Professor Pennie Lindeque: 

An award-winning marine scientist, Prof. Lindeque is a leading expert on plastic pollution, particularly microplastics. Pennie leads a dynamic area of research at PML conducting cutting-edge research developing and using new analytical techniques, including at the molecular level, to study the effects of environmental pollutants such as microplastics on marine organisms and ecosystems, using knowledge gained to explore nature-based solutions. Her work has directly shaped policy, including the UK’s ban on microbeads in cosmetics. Her work on the impact of microplastics in the marine environment has directly influenced policy in the UK and around the world, including the UK ban on microbeads in cosmetics. 

Discover more about our work to tackle plastic pollution >> 

About Professor Andy Rees: 

A Senior Marine Biogeochemist, Prof. Rees specialises in biogeochemical cycles is an expert on the issue of nutrient and carbon pollution from agriculture and its impact on aquatic ecosystems, which he brings to his role as steering committee member of the IUCN Source to sea initiative (Source to Sea Platform – The IUCN Water Knowledge Platform). As PML’s lead on the AgZero+ project, he researches sustainable farming practices that reduce emissions, protect biodiversity, and improve water quality. Some of his work in the project includes practical nature-based solutions to pollution, including investigating Riparian buffer zones to filter pollutants before they enter rivers and wetland restoration to naturally cleanse waterways and prevent eutrophication. 

Discover more about the AgZero+ project >> 

About Dr Frances Hopkins: 

Dr Hopkins is a Senior Marine Biogeochemist, and the Impact Coordinator for marine pollution research at PML. Within this role, she facilitates internal activities and discussion, ensuring that PML researchers engage strategically with key stakeholders and external audiences, to maximise the impact of PML research on this key global challenge. She is on the Steering Group for the Avon River Champions – a key local stakeholder group which aims to restore and maintain the health of our water bodies and rebuild wildlife corridors from Dartmoor to our estuaries. 

A source-to-sea approach: 

Although PML’s primary focus is marine research, our work acknowledges the deep interconnection between land, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems. A source-to-sea approach is vital to tackling pollution at its root and protecting Devon’s waterways for future generations. 

Find out more about the Bigbury NetZero Island Assembly here >>