NEWS
MCS CEO receives top environmental award
Sam Fanshawe picks up the Rachel Carson Prize in Norway. The first British woman to be honoured >>More
State of Nature report reveals shocking species decline
UK nature is in trouble says groundbreaking report from leading conservation groups including MCS >>More
Latest Beachwatch Report out today
Results of our annual Beachwatch Big Weekend published today show our passion for plastic is leaving a legacy of litter. >> More
Register now: Big Beach Clean-up 2013
This year's Big Beach Clean-up with M&S is taking place between 22nd-28th April. Join the fight against marine litter - find out how you can take part here >> More
Last year`s wet summer was bad news for beaches
MCS publishes latest Good Beach Guide revealing drop in 'Recomended' beaches after summer washout >> More
MCS urges communities to ban releases
Balloon and lantern releases on the rise so MCS develops new pack to help communities find alternatives>>More
MCS questions Severn barrage proposal
MCS asks whether barrage options are as green as backers claim >>More
Stinging Portuguese Man of War wash up on UK shores
Sightings in Cornwall, Pembrokeshire and Northern Ireland could herald arrival of more creatures on Atlantic currents >>More
Standby for jellyfish swarms
There's been a slow start to jelly spotting season but numbers are increasing as temperatures hot up >> More
Beachwatch goes sub aqua!
Divers and snorkelers will find out just how much litter lies beneath the waves More >>
MCS says HPMCZ selection process in Wales is flawed
The 'top down' process has failed to win over the very people who will benefit from 'no take' protection >> More
HRH The Prince of Wales at Bamburgh beach clean
HRH Prince Charles, President of MCS, met with volunteers and staff at a beach clean at Bamburgh Beach in Northumberland yesterday. Check out our photos on Facebook
Hang on to your tackle in Pembrokeshire
New MCS angling litter campaign launched at Pembrokeshire Fish Week as bins installed at hotspots>>More
Beachwatch Big Weekend: 15th-16th September 2012
We are looking for volunteers to join us on the beach for 'Beachwatch Big Weekend' More >>
What MCZs mean for Wales
Welsh Government is consulting right now, and there have been some concerns to clear up about how the document is worded >> More
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
Protected sites for Wales?
A public consultation on new marine sites has just begun, and you can have your say >> More
Spring clean volunteers needed to spruce up Langland beach!
Spend a morning on a beach activity that doesn't cost the earth but is priceless for the state of Langland Beach on the Gower. >> 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
Sign up for balloon and lantern ban in Wales
MCS, Keep Wales Tidy, Eco-Schools and Cardiff Council urge ban as petition launched on Assembly website >>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
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.
