Discover
Our seas and shorelines are home to a huge number of species, each one part of the marine ecosystem. We’re working to help people understand more about the importance of our oceans and the creatures that live in them.
Learn about our oceans
Use our guide to explore the diverse and beautiful wildlife of UK seas.
Share your wildlife sightings
MCS is interested in hearing about your wildlife sightings
of a number of different marine species - basking sharks, marine turtles and jellyfish in UK and Irish waters.
Cool Seas for children and teachers
Learn about our seas with the MCS Education Project.
More information and campaigns to get behind…
Careers in marine biology
If you are interested in a career in marine biology we hope you will find this page helpful and informative.
Find out more
Explore the shore
If you like scouring the shoreline and have ever wondered at the natural treasures the tide brings in but aren’t quite sure what everything is, then our Seashore Safari Guide will reveal some of the secrets of the strandline.
Download the .pdf
Alien Species Guide
Please use our guide to ‘alien species’ to help you identify wildlife that is not native to UK shores.
Download the .pdf
Cool Seas Poster
Our beautiful ‘cool seas’ poster shows some of the wildlife that make our oceans so special.
Download the .pdf
Learn about turtles
Turtles, an ancient group of reptiles that witnessed the rise and fall of the dinosaurs … but now some marine turtle populations around the world really are in danger of extinction.
Find out more
Big Seaweed Search
Contribute to research by recording seaweed species found on your local shore.
Find out how to take partDid you know?…
Over 1,000 marine wildlife sightings were reported to MCS last year
Interested in marine biology?
We have some case studies from a number of successful marine conservationists.
Read more