NEWS
Votes close for Welsh marine protection today
We are closing the voting for our recommended marine protected sites in Wales today. Vote now! >>More
Rare turtles found on South Wales beach
Glamorgan beach is final resting place for critically endangered marine turtles more at home in Gulf of Mexico >>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
MCS calls for Welsh seas to be high on political agenda
MCS is among green groups demanding more resources to protect Welsh seas >> More
Untangling Grassholm's gannets
MCS crew helps free gannets and chicks caught up in dangerous plastic >> More
No place for fish and chip wrappers
Our latest clean up of Langland Beach, Gower, near Swansea, has revealed a huge number of polystyrene fast food containers >>More
Plastic bag levy for Wales
Wales is taking the lead as the only country in the UK to ensure retailers charge 5p per carrier bag >> More
Leatherback turtles arrive in UK waters
Whilst leatherback turtle populations face extinction in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, many nesting populations in the Atlantic appear to be increasing. >> 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
Best Green Marine Campaign
MCS wins at the Coast Awards 2011 for our beach litter work >> More
Monty Halls finishes his Aran Sweater
TV presenter Monty Halls has completed his 7 hour row in choppy seas to raise funds for a dolphin pontoon >> More
Welsh wildlife
Wales has a staggering 2,740 km (1,702 miles) of coastline, including wonderful offshore islands, breath-taking sheer cliffs, secluded sandy beaches for long, romantic walks and rock pools to explore. All provide a spectacular backdrop for a range of leisure activities and watersports.
We are fortunate in Wales to be on the boundary of three oceanic and climatic zones (North‐east Atlantic, Arctic Boreal, Lusitanian) so that the marine wildlife in Wales is more diverse than many other places in Europe. Wales has many different types of seabed habitat, too, which provide ideal conditions for a huge variety of species. Wales has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world, which makes it perfect for finding all sorts of wonderful creatures whilst out rockpooling!
But this shouldn’t come as a surprise to many, as 75% of the Welsh coastline is recognised as being of both national and European importance. Wales can provide the perfect habitats for some of our favourite marine wildlife such as seals, dolphins, porpoises, sharks, jellyfish and lots of other creatures.
