Tuesday 10 November 2026
Greenpeace UK has unveiled a giant limestone boulder carved into the likeness of Sir David Attenborough, revealed aboard its ship Arctic Sunrise on the River Thames by Tower Bridge today. Fondly dubbed the ‘Attenboulder’, the sculpture is a tribute to the broadcaster’s work as an ocean defender. It arrives as millions of people have recently tuned in to Blue Planet III. Campaigners now plan to lower it onto the seabed in the Southern North Sea as part of a boulder barrier against destructive bottom trawling.
1. A carved tribute on the Thames
The ‘Attenboulder’ is a monumental piece of limestone carved into the likeness of Sir David Attenborough, whom Greenpeace describes as a legendary ocean defender. It was unveiled earlier today aboard the Arctic Sunrise as the ship sat on the River Thames beside Tower Bridge, right in the heart of the capital. The timing is deliberate, as ocean protection is back in the spotlight after millions watched Blue Planet III. Greenpeace says the tribute is intended to honour Sir David’s enduring legacy of ocean protection, while also putting pressure on the government over the state of the UK’s seas.
2. It is heading for the bottom of the North Sea
The sculpture will not stay in London for long. Campaigners plan to lower it onto the ocean floor in the Southern North Sea, off the east coast of England, where it will complete Greenpeace’s boulder barrier. Last week the group announced it had already placed nine boulders in the same sanctuary. The area was set up to protect harbour porpoises, yet it remains the UK’s most bottom trawled Marine Protected Area. By placing giant boulders on the seabed and alerting authorities to their coordinates, Greenpeace says the barrier has effectively closed 116 square kilometres (45 square miles) of the marine park to bottom trawling.
3. Greenpeace is defying a legal warning
On 5 November 2026, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) wrote to Greenpeace UK demanding that it halt any further boulder placements and threatening legal action if it did not stop immediately. Greenpeace says it remains committed to exercising its legal right to peaceful protest and fully intends to complete the barrier. Will McCallum, Co-Executive Director of Greenpeace UK, said: “We brought ‘Attenboulder’ to the heart of political power in London today to send a message.” He added: “The government should stop threatening peaceful protestors and start protecting our seas at home as well as creating a network of new marine sanctuaries on the Atlantic high seas.”
4. The numbers behind the protest
Since Blue Planet II first aired in 2017, the government has created 23 new offshore Marine Protected Areas, bringing the total to 78, but Greenpeace says these zones are protected in “name alone”. Restrictions on destructive fishing only began to be introduced in the last four years, and most areas still lack any. In 16 of the new MPAs, overall fishing activity has increased, with activity by industrial vessels over 24 metres long up by 15%, according to Global Fishing Watch data. Over the same period, analysis by Blue Marine Foundation found the total amount of fish in UK waters dropped by over 40%.
5. Famous names have signed the boulders
Six MPs have signed their names to the boulders to show they want the UK’s offshore Marine Protected Areas properly protected: Ellie Chowns, Carla Denyer, Barry Gardiner, Kerry McCarthy, Dr Simon Opher and Dr Roz Savage. Actors Simon Pegg and Benedict Cumberbatch have added their signatures too. Meanwhile, the Arctic Sunrise has spent the past month patrolling the Southern North Sea, a site designated to safeguard harbour porpoises. Last weekend alone, the crew made contact with seven industrial fishing vessels over 33 metres long, urging them to stop fishing in the protected zone as part of the push for a new ‘Ocean Park’.
Tickets and info
What: Greenpeace UK unveils the ‘Attenboulder’ sculpture of Sir David Attenborough
When: Unveiled Tuesday 10 November 2026
Where: Aboard the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, River Thames by Tower Bridge, London
Next: The sculpture is due to be lowered onto the seabed in the Southern North Sea
Press enquiries: press.uk@greenpeace.org / 0207 865 8255