The Marine Conservation Society is the UK’s leading marine charity. We work to ensure our seas are healthy, pollution free and protected.
Our seas are under immense pressure: too many fish are being taken out, too much rubbish is being thrown in and too little is being done to protect our precious wildlife. Our vision is for seas full of life where nature flourishes and people thrive.
Healthy seas lock in carbon and help protect the planet from the devastating effects of climate change
Every year, over 1 million people take part in our campaigns and projects
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Photographer, director and art director Elisabeth Hoff has shown her support of the Marine Conservation Society and the Great British Beach Clean by releasing a series of images and videos which show the impact of single-use plastics on our marine environment
After an investigation finds unwanted fish are being dumped back in the sea despite new EU laws designed to stop discarding, MCS says the report confirms that ongoing issues including catch monitoring, cameras on boats and increased observer coverage must be resolved sooner rather than later.
Menstrual products can contain up to 90% plastic and are constantly manufactured and discarded. During our Great British Beach Clean 2018, on the 494 beaches across the UK that were cleaned and surveyed, volunteers found on average 580 tampon applicators and 863 panty liners.
Results from a new study exploring the travel history of a humpback whale have revealed that UK seas act as a ‘service station’ for migrating humpback whales. Volunteers involved in the study used photos shared on social media to reveal the travel history of a humpback whale, nicknamed “vYking” by local whale watchers, which spent last winter near Fife and Edinburgh. Sightings of humpback whales in UK seas are increasing year on year, with the Firth of Forth in southeast Scotland emerging as a winter hotspot for these ocean giants.
The Marine Conservation Society’s ‘swear box for the oceans’ reminds consumers to think twice before purchasing single-use plastic items
The Marine Conservation Society has joined forces with the Scottish Wildlife Trust to push for the world’s first protected area for basking sharks. The charities have launched a joint campaign urging people to show their support for basking sharks by responding to a Scottish Government consultation.
Calum Duncan, MCS Head of Conservation Scotland, recalls an encounter with a basking shark and reflects on the ground-breaking tagging studies which underline the case for the Sea of the Hebrides MPA.
The aquaculture industry uses more than 75% of the world fish oil supply to produce fish feed. If humans are to keep their omega-3 index at scientifically recommended levels, renewable supplies of omega-3 for aquafeed are needed. Is marine microalgae the answer?
Well, July has been a long month and memorable for many reasons. I’ve been rushed off my feet with work, writing books, promoting new ones and teaching students at the University of East Anglia all about invasive species. It’s also been a month where I have tried to go plastic-free. Well, single-use plastic-free, if I’m being strictly accurate.
Fernando Montaño, British-Columbian Soloist for the Royal Ballet, saw first-hand the impact of plastic on our oceans having grown up in the Columbian coastal town of Buenaventura. He decided to create his Dance for the Sea project, highlighting the ocean plastic problem and raising funds for our work to fight it.
Bags of Ethics take on our Plastic Challenge this July, making a real difference in their offices in London and across the world.
Jonathan Daines from Letting a Property, shares his story on how their team scaled three Welsh peaks to raise over £2000 for MCS.
The UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), is looking for thousands of volunteers to clean up the nation’s beaches during this year’s Great British Beach Clean event (20th -23rd September).
MCS welcomes the Environment Secretary’s decision to launch an independent review to consider whether Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) would add further protections to the seas around England and Northern Ireland.
The Marine Conservation Society welcomes today’s announcement by the government of the creation of 41 new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), but warns that proper investment in their management and monitoring must be made if they are to benefit both people and wildlife.
Royal Ballet soloist Fernando Montano is taking a step in a new direction, raising awareness of ocean pollution by staging an event at the Royal Academy of Music in London in July.
The Marine Conservation Society has warned Welsh Local Authorities and elements within government that they will be failing young people if they refuse to back a money-back recycling system which encourages consumers to return their empty glass and plastic bottles and cans.
The CEO of the UK’s leading marine conservation charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), has urged Michael Gove to follow the example set by Scotland today in designing an ambitious all-inclusive money-back recycling system for bottles and cans.
Photographer, director and art director Elisabeth Hoff has shown her support of the Marine Conservation Society and the Great British Beach Clean by releasing a series of images and videos which show the impact of single-use plastics on our marine environment
After an investigation finds unwanted fish are being dumped back in the sea despite new EU laws designed to stop discarding, MCS says the report confirms that ongoing issues including catch monitoring, cameras on boats and increased observer coverage must be resolved sooner rather than later.
Menstrual products can contain up to 90% plastic and are constantly manufactured and discarded. During our Great British Beach Clean 2018, on the 494 beaches across the UK that were cleaned and surveyed, volunteers found on average 580 tampon applicators and 863 panty liners.
Calum Duncan, MCS Head of Conservation Scotland, recalls an encounter with a basking shark and reflects on the ground-breaking tagging studies which underline the case for the Sea of the Hebrides MPA.
Results from a new study exploring the travel history of a humpback whale have revealed that UK seas act as a ‘service station’ for migrating humpback whales. Volunteers involved in the study used photos shared on social media to reveal the travel history of a humpback whale, nicknamed “vYking” by local whale watchers, which spent last winter near Fife and Edinburgh. Sightings of humpback whales in UK seas are increasing year on year, with the Firth of Forth in southeast Scotland emerging as a winter hotspot for these ocean giants.
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