NEWS
Excellent bathing beaches at all time high
The MCS Good Beach Guide 2012 is out today and recommends the highest number of beaches in 25 years >> More
Student Aquaculture Research Project
MCS needs aquaculture graduate for research project in our aquaculture programme >> More
Plastic wrapped poo is threat to beach cleanliness
The MCS Beachwatch Big Weekend Report launched today reveals a rise in poop scoop bags on beaches >> More
Big Beach Clean-up May 11-13th
Register to take part, and get a £5 M&S voucher on the day, as part of our joint Forever Fish campaign >>More
MCS calms fears over Barra protection
Support for Sound of Barra as Special Area of Conservation will not result in 'no take' but will protect maerl beds >>More
Washed up turtles
Rare turtles found on UK wintry beaches, MCS urges beach walkers to look out for turtles over the festive period >> More
Alarming new CSO figures
New information reveals the full extent of the problem of discharges of raw sewage to the environment. >>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
Film explains fish meal and oil certification
MCS is the only NGO featured in a new film on standards for marine feed materials >>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
Seasearch divers make huge find in the Orkney Isles
Divers have found a rare fan mussel in Scapa Flow which is double the size of any other British sea shells >> More
MCS questions deepwater drilling after North Sea leak
MCS welcomes natural dispersal of leak off Aberdeen but says situation calls into question continued licensing >> More
MCS in £1million partnership with M&S
MCS celebrates the launch of the latest development in our partnership with M&S, Forever Fish. 21 million customers and 78,000 employees will be encouraged to clean up beaches and promote sustainable seafood. >> More
Dive into Clyde Marine Week with MCS
We're celebrating the amazing Firth of Clyde this summer with a week long festival of events on Scotland's west coast >>More
SeaFrance and MCS celebrate three year partnership
SeaFrance celebrate their third year working in partnership with
Beaches like bathrooms says MCS report
Brits rubbish habits are going down the pan as MCS urges bag it, bin it, don't flush in latest Beachwatch report >> More
Don't let go for the Royal Wedding
MCS is urging the public to find an alternative to balloon releases to celebrate Kate and Will's nuptials >> More
Beachwatch Big Weekend
Help clean up the nation's beaches with MCS and the BBC1 "One Show" >> More
Enduro bankers head to France
Support Deutsche Bank staff on Bank Holiday London to Paris triathlon for MCS >> More
Jellyfish are blooming lovely
Huge numbers of jellyfish have been spotted off UK coasts. They have no brain, heart or eyes, but MCS want to hear when YOU see them >>More
Scotland's magnificent seas
Scotland has an astonishing 60% of UK and 10% of Europe's coastline. Framed by myriad sea lochs, firths and islands, the surrounding seas are home to a third of the global population of grey seals; the world’s most northerly population of bottlenose dolphins; 23 other species of the world’s 82 whales and dolphins and 43% of all seabirds breeding in the EU. They also provide summer feeding grounds for the basking shark, which is the world’s second largest fish, and the endangered leatherback turtle.
Beneath the waves are some of the finest marine habitats in Europe, including rocky reefs covered in soft corals, sea fans and sponges, shallow beds of delicate maerl, sea grass, flameshell and horsemussel beds - all providing refuge for young fish and shellfish - and spectacular coldwater coral reefs.
Marine life under threat
However, all this rich marine biodiversity is under threat from human activity. Whilst providing food for centuries, and energy and recreation for decades, in return we have depleted our seas almost to exhaustion and used them as a convenient dumping ground. As reported in Scotland's Marine Atlas, the health of a staggering proportion of Scotland’s marine habitat is deteriorating, with the majority of our seabed facing many serious problems. However, with political will, the solution is now at hand.
Recovering Scotland's Seas
Almost ten years of dedicated campaigning by MCS in Scotland and partners resulted in the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 which includes requirements for Scottish Ministers to protect and, where appropriate, enhance the health of Scotland's seas; develop a national marine plan that includes marine ecosystem objectives and establish a network of well-managed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
We must grasp this historic opportunity to redress the balance and help recover our seas to a healthier, more productive state. The Marine Conservation Society has had a dedicated office and campaigns programme in Scotland for over ten years and will keep working hard to ensure Scotland's seas are put firmly on the road to recovery.
How to contact us
MCS in Scotland
11A Chester Street
Edinburgh
EH3 7RF
Telephone: 0131 226 6360/2391
Fax: 0131 226 2391
Or email us
