16 waterproof and tear-proof pages with over 125 species illustrated by Debby Mason – an artist’s view of the incredible creatures of the British coast, from plankton to sharks!
- A robust, tear-proof guide for Divers, Anglers, Marine Education and Ocean Lovers.
- Over 125 fascinating species, from the familiar to the extraordinary.
- 16 pages of my marine life etchings and illustrations.
- Interesting facts, size, depth, habitat and up-to-date IUCN conservation status for each creature.
- An accompanying curious quiz with 40 questions for young, old and experienced (see quiz below)
My Marine Life Guide
This guide is a lifelong obsession poured onto paper. It is part field study, part love letter, with every illustration born from hours of close encounters. The sea has shaped my life, my career, and the way I see the world. From rock pooling as a child to sailing and diving, I’ve sketched creatures on diving slates, studied them in bustling fish markets and marvelled at them in museums and aquariums. I have tried to capture not just form and colour, but the spark of life that gives each one its unique character. I hope it inspires that same curiosity and delight, helping you to see the extraordinary in a world that’s right on our doorstep.
Think you know your crabs from your cuttlefish? It’s time to find out!
Ready for the FULL UK Coastal QUIZ Challenge?
Download my family-friendly quiz and put your knowledge to the test. 40 questions designed to be used alongside the Marine Life Guide, it’s the perfect way to have fun and learn even more about the incredible creatures living in our waters.
[Download The UK Coastal Challenge Quiz Here!]
VIDEO: The Drama of etching a Bobtail Squid!
Join me, for a glimpse into the creation of a Bobtail Squid as seen in the guide, from an initial sketch to printing the etched and inked plate on a traditional press.
UK Coastal Challenge Quiz – The Answers!
Have you completed your challenge? No peeking until you’ve tried all the questions! Each answer is informative and engaging, packed with extra fun facts. Whether you’re a seasoned marine biologist or just finding your sea legs, get ready to discover something new. Let’s see how you did! Answers.
Now it’s over to you! Did you enjoy exploring the Marine Life Guide? How did you do on the Coastal Challenge?
Drop a comment below to share your results and tell me your favourite creature!“
Example: Dive report, please. score, favourite species, any close calls with pincers!
Finding your sea legs! (Easier round) Score: __/20
The Advanced Explorer Questions (Harder round) Score: __/20
Your favourite species: _____
A new fact learned: ____
Post your answers below, I’d love to hear from you…
One response
Hi Debby, thank you very much for this Marine Guide! This is truly a wonderful piece of work! The Quiz was really an eye-opener; I could not answer correctly almost at all! I noticed that the way you recognize them are very different from how I recognize them. The way how you arranged all the animals is also interesting to me. Also, good to learn English names. I admire all your drawings and I wish I could make illustrations like you do, so it is difficult to choose which is favourate, but the jellyfish figures are particularly beautiful, and I liked octpus and Tab gurnard are looking very lively. On the second edition, I would love to see “wired” animals that people would normally do not care about or even notice, such as sponges, bryozoans, tunicates, featherstars. I have seen some beautiful species of these around Plymouth. I would be very happy to help you for that! Also, like your duck illustrations, it might be also interesting to draw how they live underwater, perhaps together. Many marine animals interact each other, sometimes in funny way.