Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth reported more people than ever have been donating money and signing petitions calling for action to save the oceans.

The BBC’s Blue Planet II is this year’s most watched TV show, with 14 million viewers.

As well as awe-inspiring, never-been-seen images of marine life, it highlighted the plight of our oceans.

Louise Edge, senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said: “To see spectacular new species we had never heard of before, and then hear they were already endangered by climate change, plastic pollution and overfishing, was quite an experience.

“Greenpeace has seen a big surge in interest in our oceans campaign, with more people than ever signing our petitions to reduce plastic waste, create marine reserves and donating to support our work.”

Friends of the Earth’s Stop Choking Our Ocean’s petition also saw a rise in signatures after the series, presented by Sir David Attenborough.

“We had a big uptick in interest in these issues off the back of Blue Planet,” said a spokesperson for the group.

During the final episode of the series, aired on December 10, Sir David issued a warning to viewers about the issues.

“For years we thought the oceans were so vast and the inhabitants so infi nitely numerous that nothing we could do could have an effect upon them. But now we know that was wrong,” he said.

“It is now clear our actions are having a significant impact on the world’s oceans. [They] are under threat now as never before in human history.

"Many people believe the oceans have reached a crisis point.

“Surely we have a responsibility to care for our blue planet. The future of humanity, and indeed all life on Earth, now depends on us.”

Producer Mark Brownlow revealed that film crews saw albatross chicks being killed after eating plastic they mistook for food.

The scenes weren’t broadcast as they were considered too upsetting.