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NEWS
Northern Ireland plastic bag levy set for 2013
MCS applauds decision by NI Government to introduce 5p levy on plastic bags. Now it's all eyes on Westminster >>More
Votes close for Welsh marine protection today
We are closing the voting for our recommended marine protected sites in Wales today. Vote now! >>More
MCS calls for ban on Chinese lanterns
MCS is urging UK authorities to follow Spain's lead and ban the sale of environmentally damaging sky lanterns >>More
Alarming new CSO figures
New information reveals the full extent of the problem of discharges of raw sewage to the environment. >>More
MCS calls for Welsh seas to be high on political agenda
MCS is among green groups demanding more resources to protect Welsh seas >> More
Action plan for marine litter on the agenda in Rio
At the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development marine litter and pollution is up for debate >> More
Island scallop fisheries under the spotlight
MCS is part of Isle of Man meeting bringing together science and industry to seek common ground >> More
Untangling Grassholm's gannets
MCS crew helps free gannets and chicks caught up in dangerous plastic >> More
Seasearch divers spot prawn and blenny spreading west
Divers have recorded two speciesof prawn and blenny in Devon and Cornwall for the first time >> More
MCS team returns from World Conference on Marine Biodiversity
They return with the message that the incredible research in the field must be used as a basis for change and improvement. >> More
Our precious cool seas
Sea life around the coast of the British Isles is just as colourful, fascinating and beautiful as that found anywhere else in the world. Our underwater landscapes are teeming with life and amazingly varied, from rocky reefs and muddy bottoms, to deep-water channels and sea-grass meadows.
They support everything from valuable fish stocks to delicate jewel-like anemones and giant basking sharks, leatherback turtles and seals. The wealth of our seas lies in their diversity.
What is the problem?
Sadly, decades of industrial exploitation have taken their toll, and now all UK seas and their delicate marine habitats are under immense pressure. Only a tiny fraction of our seas are protected from damaging activities, and only eight of a total of 47 fish stocks are known to be in a healthy state and 22 of our marine vertebrates are now considered to be threatened with extinction.
What needs to be done?
The UK needs to better understand, respect and protect its marine wildlife. We must ensure that vulnerable species and habitats are properly protected and that fisheries targeting commercially important species are better managed. We need to allow areas of our sea to recover from the relentless, damaging fishing activities that have scoured much of the seabed habitats and the wildlife that depends on them.
MCS Action
For over 25 years MCS has campaigned for better protection of our marine wildlife. We have successfully lobbied for the protection of spectacular species such as the basking shark, and are at the forefront of the movement calling for Marine Acts from the UK and Scottish Governments.
We are now pushing for establishment of a network of marine protected areas in UK waters, while we carry out national surveys of vulnerable marine species and habitats.
MCS also runs the Cool Seas Roadshow, which tours primary schools and public events inspiring young and old about the importance of looking after ours seas. We have so much to lose, please help us protect our amazing marine wildlife.
