A YOUNG ocean conservationist who donated his £1,000 Pride of Jersey prize money to charity has urged Islanders to nominate others working to protect the planet for this year’s awards.
Dylan Boothman was just nine years old when he was named Environmentalist of the Year at last year’s Pride of Jersey Awards after being described as a “powerful young voice for change”.
Since then, he has continued fundraising for The Shark Trust, qualified as a scuba diver, helped clean Jersey’s seabed and even received a message from one of his heroes, naturalist and explorer Steve Backshall.
Reflecting on his award, Dylan said winning had “meant so much” to him.
“It’s given me more recognition in what I am trying to do, and more of an incentive to keep doing what I am doing, and fighting for the ocean,” he said.
“I didn’t think I was going to win, especially when I saw who I was up against, but you never know what might happen and it felt so amazing to win!”
Dylan was nominated for last year’s award by his mother, Sarah Boothman, in recognition of his passion for the sea and sharks.
He has previously given up birthday presents in favour of raising money for The Shark Trust – something he continued following his Pride of Jersey win and plans to do again this year.
Dylan also donated his £1,000 prize money to the charity. The sum was matched and doubled to £2,000, and he has now sent around £3,245 to The Shark Trust over the past year.
Just a week after winning his award, Dylan qualified as a Certified Open Water Scuba Diver, which has since allowed him to have what he described as “incredible encounters” with “absolutely amazing sharks and marine life”.
He also joined an Ocean Culture Life clean-up dive during World Ocean Week.
“Being a certified diver meant I was able to join the adults underwater and clean the seabed by hand,” he said.
Dylan has also given a whole-school assembly about sharks in Jersey and misconceptions surrounding them, while continuing to make videos about shark and ocean conservation to raise awareness.
He said receiving a message from Steve Backshall was “incredible” as “he is a hero of mine”.
The past year has left Dylan “very much more determined” to pursue his dream of becoming a marine biologist, specialising in shark science and conservation.
“I would like to specialise in shark science and conservation, and have already participated in shark research to help me on my own goal towards this,” he said.
And he encouraged Islanders to play their part in protecting the marine environment by supporting conservation charities, choosing sustainable fish, recycling and disposing of waste correctly.
“Lastly, learn about the ocean, its creatures, especially sharks, and how they are to be respected and not feared,” he said.
Dylan also urged Islanders to put forward people they believe deserve recognition in this year’s Environmentalist of the Year category.
“Anyone doing environmental work to help our planet is amazing, and if you know someone who is, then definitely nominate them,” he said.
“We need more people recognised for protecting our planet and the creatures that live on it.”
Nominations are open for the Pride of Jersey Awards 2026. Islanders can nominate their community heroes online or by filling out the form on page 10 of today’s newspaper.
