Since 2008, the Co-operative Group has supported MCS in it's campaign for Marine Reserves, with almost 300,000 Co-op members signing a petiton in support of reserves in just one week! The collaboration between the Co-op and MCS continues and MCS was recently invited to visit Lundy Island with 250 Co-op members.
The members each paid £10 to support the work of MCS to secure a place on the trip. It was £10 well spent as the day incldued a talk by Jean-Luc Solandt, who is fronting the MCS Your Seas Your Voice campaign, on the seal population of Lundy and on UK marine reserves generally.
Jean-Luc says the trip was helped by fantastic weather: "Temperatures and weather were both fine for the trip, and Co-op members were lucky enough to see bottlenose dolphins on three separate occasions during the journey to and from the island aboard the Oldenburg – the ferry that regularly makes passage between Ilfracombe and Lundy. The visit also included a walking tour of the island and a talk by the local warden on the history of Lundy and how it became a marine reserve. Members also got a clear understanding on the marine and land habitats that can be found on and around the the island."
MCS was delighted that staff from the Ilfracombe Aquarium were also on the trip. "They have been supporters of both the 'Marine Reserves Now' campaign and have since then activiely promoted the Your Seas Your Voice project and website." said Jean-Luc.
Boarding MS Oldenburg Oldenburg at the Lundy jetty
Members enjoy the trip Last views of Lundy
