Driftwood Spars Brewery is to donate a percentage of profits from its small-batch Cove range to a local marine conservation charity.
Simon Reeve meets Fathoms Free’s Natallia Paliakova during his 2020 Cornwall series on BBC2. Photograph: Beagle Media
Fathoms Free is a Cornwall-based charity whose members dive from their fast-response vessel to recover ghost fishing gear — abandoned nets, pots, angling equipment, and other plastic, which causes severe damage to the marine environment and the death of countless seabirds, seals, dolphins, and other sea life.
Each purchase of the craft beers — there are four brews in the Cove range — will help to generate funds to purchase a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and fund retrieval dives. Every brew will raise the equivalent cost of a fully-funded dive.
Driftwood Spars head brewer, Mike Mason, approached the charity after their work was featured on the BBC 2 documentary, Cornwall with Simon Reeve.
Mike said: “As a keen surfer, I am only too aware of the problem of marine litter and had heard about Fathoms Free, but seeing them in action prompted me to find a way of contributing. The scale of the challenge is scary, but the determination of organisations like Fathoms Free is inspiring.”
Fathoms Free project manager, Natallia Paliakova, said: “Apart from helping us locate ghost gear underwater, the ROV will also be capable of recording underwater video, which is always great for raising awareness about marine pollution issues.
“We are really excited to be partnering with the Driftwood Spars Brewery and appreciate the pro-active support of Mike and his team in bringing the purchase of an ROV a step closer to reality.”
Louise Treseder, brewery owner and landlady of the Driftwood Spars Hotel, is a keen sea swimmer and often collects washed up ghost gear on her daily beach excursions.
She said: “This is a great partnership to support a cause close to our hearts — I know the money we raise will have a positive and lasting impact.
“The Cove range was inspired by our unique surroundings, and the artwork — by local artist Jago Silver — reflects that. Now donations from each purchase will contribute towards the vital ocean clean-up taking place right on our doorstep.”
• The Cove range of beers can be purchased online, and is available in good independent bottle shops in Cornwall.
