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.
Over 15,000 marine species are found in UK seas
Last year governments, councils and their agencies changed their policies or acted on our advice almost once a week
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A series of river cleans, carried out by MCS and Thames21, along the Thames and its tributaries has revealed that more than 80% of litter found in the UK’s most iconic river, and 78% on its tributaries, was made up of single-use items such as metal drink cans, food packaging and plastic drinks bottles.
A campaign to promote reusable sanitary products has been announced by Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, as part of moves to protect the marine environment. MCS Beachwatch data shows Scotland’s beaches have double the national average of litter that’s wrongly flushed down toilets.
Fashion and multimedia designers VIN + OMI have debuted their eco-fashion show ‘Planet Rewind’ at London Fashion Week. Bags and belts from the collection and proceeds made from their sale are being donated to MCS in a fish meets fashion collaboration.
The government must not capitulate to industry pressure pushing for a less than adequate deposit return system warns MCS expert. Consumers should get their money back on all sizes and materials of bottles and cans. From today the public can have it’s say on what a scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland should look like.
Massive congratulations to Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challengers, Team Status Row, who have taken on and finished the world’s toughest row! Susan, Jess and Caroline have been raising funds for MCS and the profile of ocean plastic. It’s been a roller-coaster - physically, emotionally and mechanically.
A report published today by the House of Lords is highly critical of government failure in implementing EU rules for the UK fishing industry, which have been designed to reduce the quantity of fish caught and wasted by being thrown back at sea, known as the landing obligation.
What a week! From Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon posting our inflatable Leatherback Turtle on Instagram, to HRH Prince Charles encouraging everyone to take part in the Great British Beach Clean in a key note address, it was fantastic to see the recognition of MCS and our incredible volunteers at Scotland’s first International Marine Conference.
Fisheries management is never straight forward – particularly for the many mixed fisheries in Wales. But post–Brexit, we should be able to build on what we already have as part of the EU says MCS leads on fisheries and Wales, Sam Stone and Gill Bell.
Present at every stage of their journey, wild fish are facing yet another threat: microplastics and plastic pollution. Read a fascinating blog from Salmon and Trout Conservation.
Guest blog from the Global Aquaculture Alliance tells how standards in aquaculture are improving.
There’s one critical aspect of political uncertainty that we must keep on saying: Environmental protection must not just be maintained, but improved, whatever scenario results.
Team Status Row are three intrepid women with no rowing experience who are currently on track to become just the second all-female trio to row across the Atlantic. They’re taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – the world’s toughest row, raising funds for MCS and awareness of plastic pollution. Read their latest updates from the middle of nowhere.
Wales’ leading marine charity has taken a deposit return machine into the Senedd to give Assembly Members the opportunity to see how a deposit return scheme (DRS) could work.
Penzance-based Frasers Fish and Chips, won the Marine Conservation Society (MCS)-sponsored Good Catch Award.
Dr Chris Tuckett, Director of Programmes at the Marine Conservation Society, comments on the Resources and Waste Strategy announced today by DEFRA.
Team Status Row take on the world’s toughest row to increase awareness of plastic pollution, raising funds for the Marine Conservation Society.
A meeting organised by the British Association for Sustainable Sport, the Marine Conservation Society and the #OneLess campaign gathered senior figures from leading sports venues, clubs and events to address the issue of single-use plastics and explore ways to reduce them from their venues and events.
Over 1,300 volunteers in Wales have taken part in this year’s Great British Beach Clean, organised by the Marine Conservation Society. The charity has published the event’s report online and not only does it show record breaking volunteer and beach event numbers it also re-emphasises the shocking amounts of plastic litter on UK beaches.
What a week! From Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon posting our inflatable Leatherback Turtle on Instagram, to HRH Prince Charles encouraging everyone to take part in the Great British Beach Clean in a key note address, it was fantastic to see the recognition of MCS and our incredible volunteers at Scotland’s first International Marine Conference.
A series of river cleans, carried out by MCS and Thames21, along the Thames and its tributaries has revealed that more than 80% of litter found in the UK’s most iconic river, and 78% on its tributaries, was made up of single-use items such as metal drink cans, food packaging and plastic drinks bottles.
A campaign to promote reusable sanitary products has been announced by Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, as part of moves to protect the marine environment. MCS Beachwatch data shows Scotland’s beaches have double the national average of litter that’s wrongly flushed down toilets.
Fisheries management is never straight forward – particularly for the many mixed fisheries in Wales. But post–Brexit, we should be able to build on what we already have as part of the EU says MCS leads on fisheries and Wales, Sam Stone and Gill Bell.
Fashion and multimedia designers VIN + OMI have debuted their eco-fashion show ‘Planet Rewind’ at London Fashion Week. Bags and belts from the collection and proceeds made from their sale are being donated to MCS in a fish meets fashion collaboration.
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