Latest news items…
News Coast Magazine, Joules Clothing and MCS celebrate a decade of beach cleans
20 Apr 2018
As this three-way partnership celebrates its tenth year, we’ll be running six special beach cleans around the UK coast today. Over the last decade ‘Coast’ readers have stepped up to the plate with every event full to capacity, removing everything from car tyres to shopping trolleys from UK beaches.
News Eating jellyfish will not save fish stocks: a conversation gone wrong
20 Apr 2018
Before we spark a new culinary fashion (“Jellyfish and Chips”) we wanted to issue a correction, as one of our experts was clearly misquoted.
News London Marathon to trial compostable cups
20 Apr 2018
Three drinks stations on the 26.2 mile London Marathon course will be offering runners their hydration in compostable cups for the first time. The event organisers say they want to be at the forefront of events sustainability.
News Swap trash for pre-loved items in our newest event in Cornwall
20 Apr 2018
Collect litter on our beach clean and exchange it for second hand items when you’ve finished! An original event coming all the way from Australia, now in Cornwall.
News Plastic straw, stirrer and cotton bud ban proposed
19 Apr 2018
A consultation on banning disposable plastic products will launch later this year in an effort to cut the amount of waste which ends up in rivers and oceans. The government is prepared to ban the sale of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in England to help protect marine life.
News Pupils take Wild Bottle Sighting campaign to Scottish Parliament
18 Apr 2018
Last night 8 pupils from Our Lady’s Primary were invited to the Scottish Parliament to talk to decision-makers about the Wild Bottle Sighting initiative, an MCS campaign that maps littered plastic bottles to highlight the need for a UK-wide Deposit Return System.
News Costa Coffee pledges to recycle 500m cups a year
18 Apr 2018
The UK’s largest coffee chain, Costa, has pledged to recycle as many disposable cups as they sell by 2020.
News Sustainable seafood sales jump 60% in two years
18 Apr 2018
UK supermarkets are selling more sustainable seafood than ever before. Aldi is selling the most sustainable seafood whilst Morrisons and Iceland the least. The seafood league table has been published by the blue tick organisation – the Marine Stewardship Council.
News Plastic eating enzyme engineered in new research
17 Apr 2018
Scientists have engineered an enzyme; PETase, that is capable of digesting some of the most common plastics that are polluting our oceans.
News Charges on plastic? Let the government know you support them
17 Apr 2018
We have an opportunity to make a difference in the fight against plastic pollution, but we need your help! Single-use plastic waste is a blight on our environment, clogging the seas, killing wildlife, and polluting the planet.
News Pilots to identify Scotland's marine litter hotspots, new project
16 Apr 2018
The SCRAPbook project will take to the skies to find Scotland’s coastal and marine litter hotspots. Scottish Coastal Rubbish Aerial Photography will see aerial photographs taken and fed into an online scrapbook for volunteers, communities, schools and individuals to direct beach clean up and survey activity.
News The world’s only heavy metal marine biologist becomes an MCS Ocean Ambassador
16 Apr 2018
We are honoured to welcome the world’s leading (and possibly only?!) heavy metal marine biologist Tom ‘The Blowfish’ Hird into our Ocean Ambassadors team.
News Government announces £61m package to tackle marine litter
16 Apr 2018
Theresa May reveals cash boost ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London this week. The Prime Minister is also due to call on all of the 52 leaders to sign up to the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance - a strategy to help developing Commonwealth nations research and improve waste management.
News Public backs higher fines for illegal overfishing post-Brexit
16 Apr 2018
More than four out of five people support new laws to protect fish stocks from overfishing after the UK leaves the EU, a poll has found. Our fisheries team say this clearly highlights public desire for healthy and abundant fish stocks whatever happens post-Brexit.
News Throwaway society to circular economy
13 Apr 2018
Rubbish that damages life is a recent human invention. There’s no such thing in nature: everyone’s debris is someone else’s raw material in one big “circle of life”. We must make the transition from a throwaway society to a circular economy if we’re to give our oceans a fighting chance.
News What are nurdles and why are they a problem?
12 Apr 2018
Have you ever heard of a nurdle? These small lentil-sized pellets make up nearly all of the plastic products we use everyday, and they’re a big problem for our seas.
News You can help cut down on plastic straw pollution
11 Apr 2018
We are teaming up with whisky company Chivas Regal to put a stop to the plague of plastic straws that pollute our oceans, and we need your help!
News NHS get through millions of disposable cups annually
11 Apr 2018
NHS trusts in England have purchased more than 600 million disposable cups since 2013, with one London trust buying almost 30 million in the last five years. Based on the latest population estimates, that’s 11 disposable cups for every person currently living in England!
News Waitrose to ban disposable coffee cups
10 Apr 2018
Waitrose has today committed to removing all takeaway disposable coffee cups from its branches by autumn 2018, saving more than 52 million cups a year.
News Plastic packaging not reducing food waste, new report says
10 Apr 2018
A new report says that despite being wrapped in plastic for a longer life, food is still being thrown away. Since smothering our food with more and more plastic packaging, food waste has been growing and is now costing us €143 billion, the same as the EU annual budget. Most of the marine litter worldwide is single-use plastic for food packaging.
News Can you help establish the link between ocean and river plastic?
9 Apr 2018
Come and join MCS and Thames21 volunteers in Slough as we clean up the Thames and investigate the link between river and marine litter. The litter found in the UK’s rivers eventually ends up in our coastal waters so we’re working together to get a more complete picture of the source to sea journey of plastic litter.
News How old holiday snaps can throw light on Wales’ changing coastline
6 Apr 2018
People are being asked to share their photographs and memories of Welsh holiday spots to help students learn about the country’s changing coastline. Environmental changes have led to shifting sands along the north east Wales coast according to Natural Resources Wales.
News Ocean hero: the woman who has organised 120 beach cleans
5 Apr 2018
Michelle Duddy was just a toddler when she moved to Bacton, in Norfolk. Fast forward almost 40 years and the beach is well and truly in her bones. Now a veteran beach cleaner with a message of hope: the tide is turning.
News 30% drop in plastic bags littering the sea floor around Britain
5 Apr 2018
A marine pollution study that has been trawling the seabed for 25 years has identified a drop in the number of plastic carrier bags. Scientists say the results coincide with the introduction of charges for single-use bags in many European countries. The study also revealed an increase in fishing related debris.
News National Trust shops and cafes to go plastic free
5 Apr 2018
The National Trust has said it is phasing out single-use plastics from its shops and cafes by 2022, as nationwide efforts to tackle the issue of plastic waste in our oceans gather pace. The charity also announced that by the end of this year, plastic bottles will have been swapped for glass containers in all of its sit-down cafes.
News Get a feel for a deposit return scheme at Edinburgh Zoo
4 Apr 2018
MCS is working with the Have You Got the Bottle? Campaign and RZSS Edinburgh Zoo to bring to life Scotland’s forthcoming deposit return system. Zoo visitors can return their plastic bottles to a reverse vending machine in on-site cafe or pop them into a former rhino transportation crate for a 10p reward.
News Angels in peril
4 Apr 2018
Once widespread and common, the angel shark is now an endangered species. They may be making a comeback around Wales’ coast, and scientists want to hear if you ever see or catch one!
News Kite Britain: First kitesurfers to circumnavigate Britain in the name of ocean plastic
3 Apr 2018
Kite Britain is the brain-child of adventurers Stew Edge and Islay Symonette who will take on an epic 100-day adventure to kitesurf 3000 miles of British coastline. Their goal; to spread awareness of the importance our oceans, the problem of plastic marine litter and to inspire the next generation of kitesurfers, all while raising £100,000 for the Marine Conservation Society and Armada Trust.
News Fisheries post-Brexit: dream or nightmare?
3 Apr 2018
Will fishers and conservationists ever see eye to eye during the Brexit process, and will broad agreement still be one man’s dream and another man’s nightmare?
News Government running out of time to fulfil its 'green Brexit' promise
29 Mar 2018
Ministers are not backing up their pledges on governance, with bold new laws needed for nature’s recovery and a healthy environment.
News McDonalds to trial paper straws in two outlets
28 Mar 2018
Fast food giant McDonalds has announced that a trial of paper straws, to replace plastic ones, will be done in two of its stores in May. The company says it plans to widen the move to all of its outlets in future.
News Deposit Refund System announced for England
28 Mar 2018
We are delighted with the announcement of a scheme for deposit returns on plastic and glass bottles and metal cans to be introduced in England.
News Why you shouldn't put cooking fat down the sink this Easter
27 Mar 2018
Did you know that by not cleaning up after your roast dinner properly you could be damaging the water quality at your local beach?
News Cromer shoals - Norfolk's Great Barrier Reef
23 Mar 2018
Known by some as the ‘Great Barrier Reef of Norfolk; the shoals are thought to be Europe’s most extensive chalk reef, stretching more than 30 km along the coast and reaching out up to 10 km into the North Sea. The market town of Cromer sits central to the reef and is known around the world for its iconic Cromer Crab.
News Musician? We need you for a beach clean in Cornwall
22 Mar 2018
We’re organising a very special beach clean in Cornwall and need someone to play for a couple 45 minute sets. Do you know anyone? Forward them this page!
News Turning the tide on plastic in MCS' home town
22 Mar 2018
With towns and cities across the UK pledging to go plastic free, MCS is hoping that the town it is based in can also do its bit for the oceans. Being in landlocked Herefordshire doesn’t mean ocean pollution should be an out of sight, out of mind issue. Irresponsible use of plastic in Ross-on-Wye today could be a massive issue for our oceans tomorrow.
News Thoughts on London's free tap water scheme?
22 Mar 2018
Just last week the Mayor of London launched an initiative to cut down on the capital’s use of single use plastics. As we celebrate World Water Day on 22 March, take the opportunity to thank the Mayor and encourage him to take further steps to #STOPthePlasticTide.
News Ocean plastic set to treble in the next ten years
21 Mar 2018
A new report says the amount of plastic ending up in the oceans will treble in a decade if action to curb the problem isn’t taken. Rising sea levels and warming oceans, and metal and chemical pollution also feature in the Foresight Future of the Sea Report for the UK Government.
News World’s biggest flame shell bed to be protected at Loch Carron
20 Mar 2018
A site that is home to around 250 million flameshells - brightly coloured molluscs that form an intricate habitat for other marine life - is up for designation as a permanent marine protected area.
News The world's toughest row to stop the plastic tide
19 Mar 2018
An all female trio of novice rowers will take on the world’s toughest row to challenge our everyday use of plastic.
News Nine beaches designated as bathing waters on England's south coast
16 Mar 2018
MCS welcomes news that designations of bathing water status have been announced by Defra for eight beaches in Cornwall, and one in East Dorset.
News Navy should be bolstered to protect fishing waters post Brexit says MP
15 Mar 2018
Conservative Philip Hollobone has told ministers the Royal Navy should be bolstered to help protect British fishing waters from the “armada” of EU trawlers after Brexit. The MP for Kettering said supporters of Remain and Leave were united in the need for the UK to leave the Common Fisheries Policy, which he labelled the “very worst aspect” of EU membership
News Great British Beach Clean wins Countryfile award by a 'country mile'!
15 Mar 2018
The Great British Beach Clean has won the BBC Countryfile Magazine ‘Conservation Success of the Year 2018’ award. The beach clean event was one of five nominees in the section and the magazine said it won by a ‘country mile’ taking the most votes in any category. THANK YOU FOR VOTING!
News Good Fish Guide - latest fish ratings out today
15 Mar 2018
As the UK prepares to find a way to secure a bigger share of the fish post Brexit, we think it’s time to swap our traditional top five favourite fish for new choices that’ll support the UK’s fishing and aquaculture industries. Check out our latest ‘Best Choices’ list and let’s make dab, hake, herring, mussels and mackerel the new cod, haddock, salmon, prawns and tuna.
News Give a little take a lot
14 Mar 2018
The UK is a net importer of seafood, but what will happen to the fish market after Brexit? Will we finally take advantage of local, sustainable seafood?
News Spring statement - action or inaction on single-use plastics?
13 Mar 2018
Chancellor Philip Hammond has been on his feet addressing the House of Commons with the “first Spring Statement”. The Chancellor announced a call for evidence on a tax on single-use plastics to cut waste.
News Campaigning kids visit beach for the first time
13 Mar 2018
Children from a school in Perth, who supported the MCS #wildbottlesightings campaign, have taken part in a beach clean at East Haven. For some it’s their first ever visit to the beach.
News Vote for us at the online checkout!
12 Mar 2018
MCS is one of three national charities set to receive a portion of £25k from Waitrose. The amount will depend on the number of votes we get from people shopping online with the retailer as part of its Community Matters initiative. So please, choose us at the checkout!
News Photo story: Undulate rays from Dorset to the Med
12 Mar 2018
Undulate rays Raja undulata are an endangered species. But despite that label they’ve been reported as abundant in patches along the English Channel including Sussex, Poole, around the Isle of Wight, Lyme Bay, the Channel Islands and further south in the Mediterranean Sea.
News MCS Beachwatch manager to meet with global clean up bosses
10 Mar 2018
Lauren Eyles is in San Diego this weekend to meet with other International Coastal Cleanup coordintators at an event that the ICC hope will create a stronger global network of marine debris leaders and result in a clear roadmap for the future of this vital international initiative.
News Government doesn't back MP recommendations for a "latte levy" on disposable coffee cups.
9 Mar 2018
MCS is disappointed and frustrated to learn that the main recommendations of the Environmental Audit Committee for a charge on coffee cups, and a potential future ban, appear to have been rejected by Government. Instead, cafe owners and customers are expected to contribute voluntarily to reduce the number of cups being used and thrown away.
News "Don’t be a tosser" Minister tells litter louts as MPs call for drink deposit scheme
8 Mar 2018
Environment Minister Therese Coffey drew laughs in the Commons with her tongue-in-cheek remark. It came during Environment questions as MPs made fresh calls for a deposit return scheme to increase the recycling rate of plastic bottles. She said the introduction of such a scheme needs consideration to ensure “we have one that works for this country and achieve the outcomes that we all seek.”
News Aquarium standards under scrutiny following BBC investigation
8 Mar 2018
MCS says figures obtained by the BBC are a cause for concern, and more robust record-keeping needs to maintained by all public aquariums. Biologist, broadcaster and MCS Ocean Ambassador, Dr Ben Garrod, says mortality figures from a number of Sea Life centres, revealed in a BBC investigation, are not acceptable.
News Majority of the UK public wants to see plastic phased out says pol
7 Mar 2018
84% of the UK public want to see plastic phased out except for essential use because ‘of the pollution/harm it causes.’ The results of a poll for Campaignstrategy.org come as Greenpeace published data from an expedition around Scottish coastal waters last summer which found microplastics in some of Scotland’s most remote waters threatening seabirds and fish stocks.
News The plague of the seas
7 Mar 2018
The plague of the seas. Choking, starving or poisoning. That’s what plastic litter is doing to marine life. Our understanding increases, and so does the horror
News UK consistently overestimates plastic packaging recycling rates says report
6 Mar 2018
The UK may well have failed to meet its recycling targets under the EU Directive between 2008-2012 according to a new report by waste consultancy Eunomia. It says the UK consistently overestimates how much of the plastic packaging waste it produces gets recycled because some of it may be of such poor quality it cannot be re-used.
News The dragon breathes green fire
6 Mar 2018
Ocean Ambassador, Deborah Meaden, revealed she’s pretty handy with a litter picker. The successful entrepreneur thinks the investment needed to save our oceans is not cash but behaviour change and people power.
News Salmon farming expansion plans could cause “irrecoverable" environmental damage
6 Mar 2018
A Scottish Parliament’s environment committee review on the environmental impacts of salmon farming has found that the industry is not being regulated well enough and, among other findings, said there were “unacceptable” mortality rates.
News Marine life takes a battering from winter storms
5 Mar 2018
The late winter weather conditions that have brought high winds and heavy snow to the UK have devastated marine life in shallow waters, particularly on eastern English coasts.
News Plastic-free PG tips
1 Mar 2018
Most people will have had no idea that the humble tea bag is kept in shape by polypropylene - a heat-resistant plastic sealant. Unilever, who own the PG tips brand, says it’s moving to new plant-based material that is 100% renewable and biodegradable by the end of the year to keep its bags looking ship shape.
News Plastic free aisle is a 'world first'
28 Feb 2018
Almost 700 plastic-free products will be on offer in a single aisle in the Amsterdam branch of the Dutch supermarket chain Ekoplaza from today. MCS has joined other campaigners backing the move and calling on supermarkets across Europe to follow Ekoplaza’s example.
News Will post-Brexit Britain ban straws?
26 Feb 2018
Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, said leaving the European Union “actually makes it easier” to ban plastic straws as he outlined his plans for a “green Brexit”. The comment led to European Commission vice president, Frans Timmermans, stressing the EU was “one step ahead of you” and would bring forward legislation on single use plastics before the summer.
News Bournemouth beach – best in UK says travel rating
22 Feb 2018
Bournemouth beach has been named the best in the UK by visitors to travel site TripAdvisor. It’s also been ranked fifth across the whole of Europe. Grace Bay, a Turks and Caicos resort in the Caribbean, was named the best beach in the world.
News Over 21,000 salmon escape from fish farm, owners confirm
21 Feb 2018
A fish firm has lost nearly 22,000 salmon after a hole was found in one of its nets during routine checks. Grieg Seafoods said the escape was from cages anchored in Loch Snizort, near the Isle of Skye. MCS had hoped recent technical standards put in place for fish farm equipment would have signified the end of these large escape events.
News Ocean plastics - a violation of international law?
20 Feb 2018
MCS is attending a conference later where a report by veteran environment journalist Oliver Tickell will be launched saying littering the oceans is prohibited under existing laws. Tickell says that: “Amid all the hand-wringing over ocean plastic, the fact that it’s actually illegal has scarcely been mentioned.”
News Research reveals starfish 'dissolved' by carbon dioxide
19 Feb 2018
Scientists say bursts of carbon dioxide from industry and land run off could cause irreparable damage to marine ecosystems. Results of tests on Scotland’s west coast showed that calcified organisms such as the coralline algae and starfish were dissolving after short-term carbon dioxide exposure. .
News Targeting the Thames in the Waitrose Beach and River Clean-up series
15 Feb 2018
20 river cleans are planned as part of the MCS and Waitrose partnership over the next few months. We’ll be joining forces with leading waterways charity Thames21 in a pilot project to investigate the link between river and marine litter. Sign up today!
News BBC to ban single-use plastic by 2020
13 Feb 2018
The BBC has said it will remove single-use plastic from its operations in a three-step plan between now and 2020. The corporation says scrapping throwaway plastic cups and cutlery by the end of this year is the first step - ending the use of around 2 million plastic cups by visitors and staff annually across its sites.
News No tax on disposable plastic in Wales – yet
13 Feb 2018
The Welsh Government has announced today that it has decided not to go ahead with a single-use plastic tax. The tax was one of four shortlisted to test new devolved tax raising powers under the Wales Act (2014). Instead, landowners with empty plots they are not using will have to pay a new vacant land tax.
News 'Dashboard' reveals extent of littering in England
13 Feb 2018
Defra has published a ‘litter dashboard’ to explain the government’s approach to understanding the extent of litter and littering in England. It includes data from our Great British Beach Clean, individually reported incidents, and people’s perception of litter, and will monitor changes over time to help inform policy development.
News Vote for the Great British Beach Clean in the Countryfile Awards
10 Feb 2018
Our Great British Beach Clean, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is one of five nominees in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards Conservation Success of the Year category. Winning would be a great way to celebrate our silver milestone – so please, give us your vote!
News More companies say they're ditching straws
7 Feb 2018
More and more businesses are removing plastic drinking straws from their operations. Marriott International, London City Airport and Eurostar are among the latest companies announcing measures to remove single-use plastic straws from hotels, food and drink outlets and train carriages.
News Illegal dredge fishing uncovered in Scottish protected area
7 Feb 2018
Less than a year after damage to Loch Carron’s flameshell beds was found, divers have discovered broken shells and significant disturbance to the seabed during a recent dive in another protected area in the Firth of Lorn.
News Scottish Parliament to debate tackling single-use plastic pollution
7 Feb 2018
Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham, will lead a debate in Holyrood later today on the need for more evidence to tackle the impact of single-use plastic pollution and confirm that legislative solutions must be implemented where appropriate.
News Scottish salmon farming under review
6 Feb 2018
The Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation has told Holyrood’s Environment Committee that salmon farms will publish data on sea lice and fish mortality amid growing environmental concerns. MCS has provided written evidence to the committee outlining some of our most critical concerns, from feed sustainability to exploitation of wild wrasse.
News Open mouthed feeders being poisoned by plastic polluted water
6 Feb 2018
A new study warns that plastic pollution can create serious health risks for filter-feeding marine creatures such as sharks, whales and rays. It says they could be swallowing hundreds of tiny bits of plastic a day. Ocean plastic pollution is one of the hottest topics around, but up until now its impacts on the oceans largest creatures hasn’t been looked into.
News Scottish Parliament bans plastic drinking straws
2 Feb 2018
The Scottish Parliament has stopped using plastic drinking straws in its own cafes, bar and canteen and will now provide paper alternatives instead. Up until the end of 2017 Holyrood used around 4,000 plastic straws annually. The decision to switch was made by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.
News Local MP offers support for a new east coast Marine Conservation Zone
2 Feb 2018
Bexhill and Battle MP, Huw Merriman, is supporting the bid for a new Marine Conservation Zone that will include beaches off Pevensey, Normans Bay and Bexhill. The site, known as Beachy Head East, is recognised as an incredibly rich and biodiverse marine environment in the English Channel.
News Are we eating 'nanoplastics'?
1 Feb 2018
Scientists have revealed for the first time how minuscule pieces of plastic can make their way up the food chain and ultimately onto our dinner plates. Nanoplastics are smaller than microplastics at less than a billionth of a centimetre wide. More evidence that plastic pollution must be tackled now.
News The Prince of Wales praises collaborative efforts to solve plastic waste problem
1 Feb 2018
MCS patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, has told environmentalists and business leaders of his “deep frustration” at the world ignoring plastic waste in the ocean but he also praised recent integrated efforts to tackle the issue. He said “The nightmare result of eight million tonnes of plastic entering the ocean every year is set to get worse rather than better.”
News Mosquito net fishing endangering humans and wildlife, new study
31 Jan 2018
Mosquito nets distributed to combat malaria in developing tropical countries are being routinely used for fishing instead. A new study raises questions about the threats to biodiversity as well as impacts on both the fish populations and human health that the practice poses.
News Scotland's iconic species get cash boost from Government
31 Jan 2018
The Scottish Government has announced additional resources for the development of four nature conservation marine protected areas (MPAs) including some for Scotland’s most iconic mobile species. Calum Duncan, Head of Conservation for MCS in Scotland says the cash boost will accelerate delivery of these four vital MPAs.
News Deposit returns will cut #wildbottlesightings
31 Jan 2018
We’ve handed our #wildlbottlesightings report to Scotland’s Environment Cabinet Secretary. In less than two years we’ve received 6000 reports of drinks bottles and cans littered all over Scotland’s rural, urban and coastal landscapes. Clear evidence that a deposit return system is needed.
News Winter chills life on land, but at sea life naturally thrives
30 Jan 2018
On land, winter is the season of muted colours, but underwater, it’s a different story. This season turns the sea into a lively spectacle that never fails to surprise. You never really know what you’re going to find, which makes a winter beach walk a really rewarding experience.
News Blue Planet II inspires record numbers to clean up Somerset beach
26 Jan 2018
Almost 200 people attended the MCS winter beach clean at Sand Bay and most said they had been inspired to litter-pick after watching the BBC’s iconic Blue Planet II series which showed the impact plastic pollution is having on our oceans.
News Glasgow City Council to stop handing out straws after pressure from primary school children
26 Jan 2018
Plastic straws will stop being used by Scotland’s biggest council after primary pupils highlighted the plight of marine wildlife. A campaign by pupils at Sunnyside Primary School, Craigend, has inspired the city’s local authority to switch to more eco-friendly options.
News Belfast chippie 'batters' competition to scoop MCS-sponsored sustainable fish supper award
25 Jan 2018
At the 30th National Fish and Chip Awards, Fish City Belfast, has won the MCS-sponsored Good Catch Award, The award aims to encourage sustainable sourcing in the fish and chip shop industry so that diners can eat fish from fisheries where stocks aren’t under threat from overfishing.
News National drinking water scheme could cut plastic bottle use by millions
25 Jan 2018
People will be able to refill water bottles for free in tens of thousands of places in England in future via a new national scheme by the water industry. It’s hoped the scheme will cut plastic bottle use by tens of millions each year. Plastic bottles are consistently in the MCS Top 10 litter finds on UK beaches – last year our volunteers reported finding 3,819 over just one weekend alone.
News MCS funds boosted by £600,000 from players of People's Postcode Lottery
24 Jan 2018
MCS is one of over 4,000 charities and good causes to receive part of a £93.3 million pot raised during 2017 by players of the Edinburgh-based lottery. The cash has helped us continue our work for UK seas including creating our award-winning Good Fish Guide app.
News Hailing a year of Sky Ocean Rescue
24 Jan 2018
It’s hard to believe that a whole year has gone by since Sky News launched its Ocean Rescue campaign with a hard-hitting documentary about ocean plastics in January 2017. There’s no doubt that Ocean Rescue has placed plastic pollution and marine protection high on the public agenda, leading to what should be real and lasting change.
News MCS Eddystone Project commended at Dusseldorf Boat Show
23 Jan 2018
MCS and partners Princess Yachts Ltd were put forward for an Ocean Tribute award at a global marine showcase in Germany. It’s international recognition of our contribution to marine conservation around the Eddystone reef, home to vulnerable species including dead mans fingers, sponges, corals and hydroids.
News Scotland to ban single-use plastics by 2030
22 Jan 2018
Following last week’s announcement by the European Commission that all plastic packaging across Europe will be recyclable or reusable by the end of the next decade, Scotland says it will match Brussels even though a commitment wouldn’t apply to the UK after Brexit.
News Waitrose to ditch black plastic packaging from 2019
22 Jan 2018
Waitrose has said it will stop putting its own-label food in black packaging by the end of 2019 and won’t use it for meat, fish, fruit and veg beyond the end of this year. Black plastic packaging is hard to recycle and often ends up in landfill.
News Is the final straw coming?
18 Jan 2018
In the last 48 hours Wagamama, Pret a Manger and Costa have all announced they will stop offering plastic straws to customers. Their announcements follow similar moves from pub chain JD Wetherspoon and bar group All Bar One, whilst Waitrose and Morrisons have said they will stop selling plastic straws.
News Are ministers clutching at straws when it comes to re-usable coffee cups?
17 Jan 2018
Members of the Cabinet have been given reusable coffee cups by the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, following Prime Minister Theresa May’s pledge to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste within 25 years in the Government’s long-term plan for the environment. But as some left Downing Street with their cups still in their boxes, are the just paying lip service to the issue?
News Europe plots to bring down plastic waste
16 Jan 2018
MCS welcomes two new initiatives announced by the EU today to try and stem the tide of plastics entering our oceans. Firstly, it has published its Plastics Strategy, describing how the European Commission intends to improve plastic recycling and cut marine litter. Separately, new measures to improve how ports manage waste disposal have been proposed.
News Iceland to freeze out plastic from its packaging
16 Jan 2018
MCS is delighted that the shopping chain Iceland has committed to removing, or drastically reducing, plastic packaging from its own-label products by the end of 2023. Other supermarkets and retailers must follow if we are to stop the tide of plastic polluting our oceans.
News Surfers and bodyboarders more likely to have antibiotic resistant E-coli in guts
15 Jan 2018
New research has revealed that regular surfers and bodyboarders are three times more likely to have antibiotic resistant E. coli in their guts than non-surfers. The research highlights how important it is to continue to reduce the amount of pollution reaching our seas and to look at how we can change our practices on land to achieve this.
News Tesco backs bottle deposit refund scheme
12 Jan 2018
Tesco has become the first major supermarket to support a deposit refund scheme for plastic bottles to help cut waste. Smaller supermarkets, Iceland and the Co-op have already backed such a move. Plastic bottles have been blighting UK beaches for years with over 32,000 picked up during the MCS Great British Beach Clean since 2013.
News UK Government's plan for nature fails to deliver
11 Jan 2018
PM Theresa May has revealed her government’s plan to protect the natural environment, which she said her party has always taken very seriously. But will the plans ‘enhance and protect’ the environment, or do they lack immediacy with no mention of coffee cup levies and bottle deposit refund scheme which are vital to #StopthePlasticTide
News Scotland will ban plastic cotton buds
11 Jan 2018
Plastic cotton bud sticks, which are consistently listed in the top ten beach litter finds by MCS volunteers, are to be banned under new Scottish government plans. 3602 cotton bud sticks were found during our 2017 Great British Beach Clean on Scotland’s beaches having been wrongly flushed down the loo contributing to the rising tide of plastic on our beaches.
News 5p plastic bag charge could be extended in England
10 Jan 2018
It’s being reported that the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan, to be published tomorrow, will set out plans to run a consultation to extend the carrier bag charge in England to cover shops with fewer than 250 employees. Smaller shops in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland already charge 5p, so why didn’t England follow suit in the first place?
News 99% of these sea turtles are turning female - here’s why you should worry
9 Jan 2018
Green sea turtles from the Pacific Ocean’s most important green sea turtle rookery in the northern Great Barrier Reef now outnumber males by at least 116 to 1.
News No more microbeads in UK manufactured personal care products
9 Jan 2018
A UK-wide ban on the manufacture of products containing microbeads has come into force. It’s being described by the Government as a landmark step in the introduction of one of the world’s toughest bans on these harmful plastic pieces. MCS hopes it’s a first step and further actions to combat plastic waste will swiftly follow.
News SNP politician calls for plastic straw ban
8 Jan 2018
The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch says Scotland could be throwing out just under three billion straws every year based on US estimates of how many are used on average. Kate Forbes is calling on Scottish and UK Governments to ban plastic straws as she launches her ‘Final Straw’ campaign.
News MPs call for 25p 'latte levy’ to cut cup waste
5 Jan 2018
An Environmental Audit Committee report out today says a cappuccino charge should help pay for improved recycling facilities. It says if 100% of single-use cups aren’t recycled by 2023 then there should be an outright ban on providing them.
News 250 million flame shells discovered at the bottom of a Scottish loch.
3 Jan 2018
Divers discover the world’s largest known colony of flame shells in Loch Carron. These small bivalve molluscs with fiery orange tentacles spend most of their lives hidden away inside nests. Now ministers consider making emergency measures to protect them permanent
News Jellyfish could be a "huge" food source for one of the North Sea's most commercially important catches say scientists
3 Jan 2018
Norway lobsters’ filmed feasting fast and furious on helmet jellyfish carcasses which they located in under 25 minutes, scaring other scavengers away almost immediately and then eating over half of the remains.
News Are you buying the wrong lobster?
23 Dec 2017
Many will be tucking into a lobster this festive season, Canada’s top seafood export. Landings of this species have increased sevenfold in 40 years, but although it is not considered to be endangered, its fishery is far from perfect.
News Help support the families of South Caicos devastated by the hurricanes
23 Dec 2017
Turks and Caicos suffered catastrophic damage after two hurricanes hit the islands last September. Here’s how MCS is helping rebuild local communities.
News UK needs urgent action on plastic bottle waste, says new report by committee of MPs
22 Dec 2017
MCS welcomes a new report from the Environmental Audit Committee today, which calls for a UK-wide bottle deposit return system and other measures to reduce plastic bottle waste. The report backs up our litter findings on beaches, as well as our recent surveys showing public opinion in favour of deposit return systems.
News Why Scratchy, White Stripe, and Topless are causing a stir in south west waters
20 Dec 2017
They’re three members of England’s newly discovered and only resident population of bottlenose dolphins, identified following analysis of thousands of sightings and photographs from the south west of England between 2007 and 2016 by researchers.
News Plastic packaging weighing the same as 3.3 million Emperor Penguins will be thrown away this Christmas
19 Dec 2017
114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging will end up in the bin, and not recycled, over the festive period. Our message - recycle as much plastic, glass, paper, card, metal, foil and wood as you can and don’t let Christmas strangle our oceans.
News A single plastic carrier bag could be shredded into over a million and half microscopic fragments in our seas says new research
18 Dec 2017
Scientists have examined the rate at which plastic bags are broken down by marine organisms - and the results are truly shocking. Unwittingly, marine wildlife is actually contributing to the spread of microplastics in our seas.
News From kitchen to coast - don’t cause a stink down your festive sink!
18 Dec 2017
As millions of households, restaurants and eateries get set to serve up a fabulous festive roast on the 25th, we’re warning that putting leftover fat down the plughole could be a disastrous Christmas present for our seas.
News Reports herald the start of turtle stranding season
14 Dec 2017
A leatherback turtle found tangled in rope off Orkney, and a rare Kemp’s Ridley discovered injured on a Cornish beach, could be just the start of a number of turtle strandings around the UK says an MCS turtle expert.
News Fishing levels set too high as Government claims boost for fishers
13 Dec 2017
After annual negotiations in Brussels, a number of stocks will continue to be fished above levels advised by scientists this year says MCS. Some species are found in UK waters including haddock in the Southern Celtic sea and English Chanel, herring in the Irish sea, Celtic sea and off the South West of Ireland and whiting stocks in the West of Scotland and Irish sea.
News Wet wipes causing serious problems to the environment, new study
13 Dec 2017
A new report by Water UK, the membership body for UK water providers, reveals wipes made up around 93% of the material causing the sewer blockages which the study investigated. A high proportion are baby wipes which are designed not to be flushed. It back the MCS call for only putting the 3Ps down the loo - pee, poo and paper.
News 'Six pack' holders and discarded fishing gear - guilty of killing marine turtles according to new research
12 Dec 2017
The rise in plastic refuse in the ocean and on beaches is killing turtles of all species, with a disproportionate impact on hatchlings and young turtles, according to new research by the University of Exeter.
News No long transition on fishing rights post Brexit says fishers leaders
11 Dec 2017
The leader of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has said a ‘bridge’ of no more than nine months is required to protect fishing interests as Britain leaves the EU, whilst MCS says that regardless of the length of the transition period, there’s a huge amount of work to be done to replace the work of numerous EU bodies
News A sad story about turtles and plastic bags
11 Dec 2017
Our supporter Saeed Rashid’s visit to the Red Sea uncovered the sad truth about what plastic bags can do when they get into the sea.
News 12 tips for a plastic-free Christmas
8 Dec 2017
Start your New Year’s Resolutions this side of the festive season and follow these 12 tips for a plastic-free Christmas!
News UN calls for plastic bottle deposit return schemes as part of ocean pollution pledge
8 Dec 2017
Delegates at the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, Kenya have called for deposits on plastic bottles as part of a resolution pledging to stop pollution in the world’s oceans.
News Chinese ban on plastic waste imports – UK business opportunity or a risk of environmental pollution?
8 Dec 2017
In January, China is expected to ban imports of 24 grades of rubbish. The UK has exported 2.7m tonnes of plastic waste to China and Hong Kong since 2012. So are we facing an environmental crisis or will the recycling industry step up to the plate and improve processes on home soil?
News The UK’s marine "Blue Belt" is expanding to protect rare seabirds' habitats.
5 Dec 2017
Nearly 150,000 rare seabirds, including the little tern and black-throated diver will benefit from moves to expand the Blue Belt, which is made up of classified Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
News eDNA – the 21st century way to keep an eye on shark populations
4 Dec 2017
Scientists say that traces of DNA in the sea can be used to monitor shark populations. It means that current costly, invasive and time consuming methods could be replaced with samples of seawater that provide identifiable ‘tracks’ of numerous species of shark.
News Largest marine reserve in the world comes into effect in Antarctica
1 Dec 2017
The world’s biggest marine reserve in Antarctica officially comes into effect today and it’s being called a “watershed” moment in conservation. The marine protected area in the Ross Sea covers 1.5 million square km and some 72% is a “no-take” zone where all fishing is forbidden.
News Two supermarkets back bottle deposit refund scheme and urge others to 'do the right thing'
30 Nov 2017
On the day MCS reveals a 10% rise in beach litter around English, Welsh and Scottish coasts, Iceland and the Co-op have come out in favour of bottle refund schemes (DRS) to help tackle ocean plastic pollution.
News Great British Beach Clean 2017 results
30 Nov 2017
Litter recorded on beaches has risen by 10% in a year.
The clean-ups and surveys of almost 340 beaches also show ‘on the go’ litter items from our eating out and about lifestyle made up 20% of all the rubbish found. We’re calling on UK governments to put a levy on disposables now
News MCS and Glenmorangie recognised for project to restore native European oysters to the Dornoch Firth
27 Nov 2017
The Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project (DEEP), a partnership between MCS, Scottish distillery Glenmorangie and Heriot-Watt University has been recognised at the Nature of Scotland Awards 2017.
News UK government to investigate single-use plastic tax
22 Nov 2017
The Chancellor says the move is to help prevent pollution in the world’s oceans and to protect the environment. Every year 20% of the litter we record on UK beaches is made up of single-use plastics and, despite years of anti-litter campaigns, litter levels aren’t falling and recycling levels are stagnating. We can’t hang around when it comes to making changes – the evidence is already clear and action has to be taken now.
News Seahorse clutches at a cotton bud
20 Nov 2017
Wildlife photographer Justin Hofman’s photograph tells a sickening story in just one glance.
News Monsters from the sewers take to the roads across the east of England
17 Nov 2017
A fleet of water recycling vans, complete with monstrous graphics that warn of the dangers of flushing wipes and putting fat down the sink, take the roads in the Anglian Water region from today. The monsters have been created as part of the MCS “unflushables” campaign, with the support of Anglian Water.
News Nurseries ban glitter to protect the environment
17 Nov 2017
MCS says a glitter ban at a group of children’s nurseries across the south of England due to concerns about the damage it does to the environment, is a small step that could lead to greater and has praised the proactive approach.
News Bathing water results for England announced
14 Nov 2017
England’s beaches keep a consistently good level of water quality, according to results of this season’s testing announced today
News Rare “prehistoric shark” found off the coast of Portugal
14 Nov 2017
Researchers have accidentally captured a frilled shark, a “living fossil” dating back at least 95 million years. The prehistoric fish was found in a pile of unwanted catch, where it unfortunately died shortly after being caught.
News 6 fun facts you didn’t know about corals
10 Nov 2017
Who said corals can’t be fun? Here are 6 fun facts you (probably) didn’t know about corals.
News Body of 'Thames Dolphin' found washed up at Wandsworth
10 Nov 2017
A two-metre long dolphin that had been spotted swimming down a stretch of the River Thames for over a week has died. Preliminary results from a post-mortem revealed the creature was undernourished, probably quite old and missing some of its teeth
News Celebrating our Blue Planet
9 Nov 2017
8th November 2017: A packed house of MCS supporters and friends enjoyed a night to remember, celebrating our blue planet with special guests, film clips and stories linked to the landmark Blue Planet II BBC series. Top of the bill, two of the series producers showed clips and out-takes, and told their intriguing tales in making this epic TV event.
News Crime-scene technique used to track turtles
6 Nov 2017
Scientists have used satellite tracking and techniques used in crime-scene detection to discover an important feeding ground for green turtles in the Mediterranean. Researchers measured “stable isotope ratios” – a chemical signature also used by forensic scientists.
News MCS joins 150 organisations backing call to ban oxo-degradable plastic packaging
6 Nov 2017
Oxo-degradable plastic packaging is often marketed as a solution to plastic pollution because it degrades into harmless residues. But new research reveals significant evidence that it actually fragments into tiny plastic pieces, contributing to microplastic pollution.
News Take a trip into the deep ocean
4 Nov 2017
You may think the life you lead is high-pressure and full of weird characters, but we’ll take a look at the deeper parts of the Atlantic ocean to put this into perspective!
News Seahorse show stopper to grace 'Cake International' in support of MCS
3 Nov 2017
A huge cake in the shape of a seahorse is set to wow visitors at an international caks show this weekend. Created by Cornish luxury cake makers, Peboryon, it’ll be cut up and sold off to raise funds for MCS
News Get to know your 'Poos and Don'ts with our new campaign
2 Nov 2017
We’ve launched our ‘Poos and Don’ts’ campaign today! It’s all about highlighting how little things we do in our daily lives - often miles from the coast - can have a massive effect on the quality of our coastal waters.
News Are cod and haddock set to leave the waters of Scotland's west coast?
1 Nov 2017
New research reveals cod, herring and haddock may vanish from the west coast of Scotland due to global warming.
The findings show cod and herring off Scotland’s west coast are already nearing the edge of their temperature tolerance range.
News 10 incredible sea creatures to get to know this Halloween
31 Oct 2017
Who needs make-believe monsters this Halloween when we have our real life scary sea creatures? Read on for the Marine Conservation Society’s top 10 things that go bump in the night …or splash!
News Five fish you shouldn't eat
31 Oct 2017
90% of the world’s fish stocks are either fully or overexploited, but we can stop feeding demand for seafood from badly managed or damaging fisheries and fish farms by picking the right fish. Here’s 5 you should avoid!
News Canada achieves important 5% marine conservation milestone
30 Oct 2017
The Government of Canada has said it’s reached its target of increasing the protection of marine and coastal areas to 5%. It’s part of the Government commitment to a marine environment protected from human activity.
News MCS adds voice in welcoming moves to ramp up protection of endangered species
27 Oct 2017
Moves to increase protection of species ranging from sharks to chimpanzees have been welcomed by wildlife campaigners including MCS.
News Cutting ocean plastic pollution can start at home – all our homes – says new report
27 Oct 2017
New figures released today shine a light on the massive scale of the single use plastic problem in Europe, a problem that is contributing significantly to the global ocean plastic pollution crisis.
News Yummy! New research reveals it's the taste of plastic not the look that drives corals to eat it
26 Oct 2017
A new study of plastic ingestion by corals suggests there may be an additional reason for the potentially harmful behaviour. Visual cues may not play such a part because corals have no eyes - it may be down to taste.
News Washing-up liquid bottle made from 50% ocean plastic goes on sale
25 Oct 2017
A detergent bottle made of 50% plastic collected from the ocean has gone on sale in the UK. It’s a limited edition – shame the plastic in the ocean isn’t limited too.
News The three UK chippies doing the most to save our fish stocks revealed
24 Oct 2017
Three of the UK’s leading sustainable fish and chip businesses have been revealed as part of the 30th anniversary National Fish & Chip Awards.
News MCS gives evidence to Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into single-use drinks cups and bottles
24 Oct 2017
The Environmental Audit Committee has relaunched its predecessor’s inquiry into disposable coffee cups and plastic bottles. The general election was called before the previous Committee could complete its inquiry.
News MCS Scotland Conservation Officer is one of 20 Young Scots of the Year
24 Oct 2017
MCS’ Edinburgh-based Catherine Gemmell has been named as one of 20 outstanding 20-somethings living and working in Scotland.
News Sex in the sediment
13 Oct 2017
We’re on a mission to discover more about the love life of the lugworm, whose opportunities to mate are few and far between.
News A minion and a tiny toy lorry - winners in our beach litter photo competition
12 Oct 2017
During this year’s Great British Beach Clean event, we threw down the gauntlet to our volunteer beach cleaners to come up with some fantastic pictures of their weird finds.
News New report shows Deposit Return Systems could save town halls across England millions of pounds a year
11 Oct 2017
Cash-strapped councils across England could save up to £35 million a year from the introduction of a deposit return system (DRS) for drinks bottles and cans, says a report launched today at the House of Commons.
News There may be bigger fish to fry, but now small sprat are big on sustainability!
6 Oct 2017
The hardy little fish from the Baltic gets a green Good Fish Guide rating from MCS
News Come join us at Kidtropolis this October half term
5 Oct 2017
We’re bringing the sea to London! Join us this October half term at Kidtropolis - a family and schools event - for virtual rockpooling, beach cleaning, games and to meet our life sized leatherback turtle, Tallulah.
News MCS President gives keynote speech at international ocean conference
5 Oct 2017
MCS President, the Prince of Wales, has told a major global marine conference that the growing threat to the world’s marine ecology has reached a critical point where plastics are “now on the menu”.
News Microbeads ban under pressure
5 Oct 2017
Industry bodies are seeking to water down measures for plastic microbeads in rinse-off products - we respond.
News 74% of Brits would support a charge on single use coffee cups
4 Oct 2017
A YouGov survey for MCS has revealed that 74% of people across Britain would support a charge on single use coffee cups. That’s almost three out of four people questioned.
News Welsh Government disappoints on the protection of sealife, again
3 Oct 2017
Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths fails to commit resources for marine protected areas despite recommendations from the Assembly.
News Action on drinks containers tabled for England
3 Oct 2017
Commitment to look into a deposit return system given by Minister at party conference.
News Wales could have Deposit Return Scheme by 2018
28 Sep 2017
Wales Environment Minister tells Sky News that a deposit return scheme for the country, and a groundbreaking “plastic tax” on producers could be introduced “as early as next year”.
News BBC DG says Blue Planet II "makes you aware of the fragility of the marine world."
27 Sep 2017
As the landmark documentary receives world premiere, Sir Tony Hall tells an audience invited to view the first episode that it will bring us closer than ever to life hidden beneath the waves.
News The final straw
27 Sep 2017
Pub chain Wetherspoon’s has announced they’ll stop using plastic straws across its 900 pubs in the UK and Republic of Ireland by the end of the year. Now MCS will be working to ensure it’s the end of the road for straws at other outlets too. Will you stop sucking?
News Environment Minister gets handy with a litter picker
16 Sep 2017
Thérèse Coffey, the Environment Minister, and MP for the Suffolk Coastal constituency, joined us today to clean up Aldeburgh beach as part of this weekend’s Great British Beach Clean.
News Good news for lobsters as England set to ban landings of egg bearing females
13 Sep 2017
Following a consultation on the prohibition of landing eggbearing lobsters and crawfish in England, which included a response from MCS, the Government has announced that it will introduce a ban by October 1st this year.
News Latest Portuguese man o' war strandings - biggest for years. Serious stingers can deliver powerful punch and must not be touched.
12 Sep 2017
Reports of Portuguese man o’ war washing up on beaches over the last week have been steadily incressing. MCS jellyfish expert, Dr Peter Richardson, says this is now the biggest mass Portugugese man o’ war stranding since 2012!
News MCS mourns the loss of Dr Duncan Huggett
12 Sep 2017
Duncan was a very active trustee for MCS over the period to 2005-2015, using his expertise and enthusiasm to help us shape our conservation policies and strategic directions. He brought particular nature conservation skills and knowledge of Government and its agencies, having previously worked closely with us when we campaigned together with the RSPB on marine nature conservation legislation.
News Ambitions for Scotland announced - MCS comment
5 Sep 2017
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set out a big Programme for Government in Scotland’s Parliament, with a range of new bills and policies designed to help meet the challenges of the twenty first century head on, including recognition of a ‘moral obligation to tackle climate change’.
News Deposit returns to be a reality for Scotland
4 Sep 2017
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) welcomes the commitment to a bottle deposit return system made by Scottish Government, as reported by the Daily Mail and Sky News this morning.
News A Sky plastic whale and a powerful MCS message
15 Aug 2017
Our CEO Sandy Luk becomes an #oceanhero by joining Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Jodie Kidd at Sky’s Plastic Whale launch in London. A beautiful whale with an ugly truth.
News Welsh Government must improve to protect our seas
11 Aug 2017
We welcome a new report by the National Assembly’s Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee. The Welsh Government seriously need to up its game on Marine Protected Areas in Wales.
News Mr Gove confirms plans for microbead ban
21 Jul 2017
Microbead ban confirmed for cosmetic products
The government confirmed today that it will be banning microbeads form use in “rinse-off” products, following a recent consultation on its proposals.
News Over 5,000 People Give Up Single-use Plastic In Support Of Herefordshire Charity: Marine Conservation Society 'delighted' with national take-up
5 Jul 2017
The Ross-on-Wye based Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the UK’s leading marine charity, says its 2017 Plastic Challenge has been the most successful yet and shows there’s a growing understanding of the effect plastic pollution is having on our oceans.
News Deposit returns a step closer for Scotland
30 Jun 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham, announced today that the Scottish Government has commissioned detailed work on how a potential é’deposit return scheme’ might operate in Scotland.
News High street restaurant chains rated
29 Jun 2017
Our survey finds high street chains are falling short on seafood sustainability.
News Beluga II sailing tour comes to an end
27 Jun 2017
Greenpeace crew finds plastic pollution blights shores and harms wildlife around Scotland A scientific voyage by Greenpeace crew has been researching ocean plastic around Scottish coastlines over the last two months with the support of staff and volunteers from the Marine Conservation Society at key points in the journey.
News Endangered skates and sharks on our dinner plates
26 Jun 2017
Are endangered skates and sharks ending up on our dinner plates? Despite threatened status some species are seemingly fetching good money when landed.
News Brexit and our seas June 2017
8 Jun 2017
Brexit as a whole will be enormously complicated. Laws and measures related to fisheries and environment are complex areas in themselves.
News Research on seabed beneath Eddystone shows early signs of recovery
6 Jun 2017
We are excited to report that surveys of the seabed beneath Eddystone, 12 miles off the coast of South West of England, is showing early signs of recovery following protection from bottom-towed fishing gears.
News Cleaning up Mull's beaches
23 May 2017
On Monday 22nd May, we teamed up with the crew of the Greenpeace boat “Beluga II” together with three primary schools - Ulva, Lochdonhead and Dervaig - to clean up Kilninian beach, a beauty spot on the North West coast of Mull.
News Action for Loch Carron must be start of further protections
19 May 2017
New protection measures for Scottish Sea Loch announced: MCS says action for Loch Carron must be just the start of further protections MCS was distraught to hear of the destruction caused by scallop dredging to flameshell beds in outer Loch Carron in late April.
News Native oysters back in Dornoch Firth
18 May 2017
Environmental first as Glenmorangie reintroduces native oysters to the Dornoch Firth: Oysters to work alongside new 6 million pound anaerobic digestion plant MCS is part of a ground-breaking environmental project which has seen Native European oysters reintroduced to coastal waters around Dornoch Firth after a century’s absence.
News Huge volume of debris discovered on remote Pacific Island
16 May 2017
Henderson Island, part of the UK’s overseas territory in the South Pacific, has been found to be littered with an estimated 37.
News Many uncomfortable asking for tap water
11 May 2017
A poll has found that more than one in seven people are put off from asking for tapwater when they are in public places, even though all licensed outlets are legally obliged to provide it.
News Maldives report 2016
2 May 2017
The 2016 Biosphere Expeditions Maldives Report is out and the results are shocking, with severe bleaching, crown-of-thorns starfush infestation, and overfishing threatening the reefs.
News Sign the Welsh petition for a war with waste
21 Apr 2017
We’re asking people in Wales to sign our petition to introduce a Deposit Return System on bottles and drinks containers, and to ensure takeaway containers are fully compostable. Sign up before the 18 April to help reach our target!
News It is bad news for haddock, but American lobster claws its way up the latest seafood ratings lists
17 Mar 2017
Takeaway favourite from North Sea and west of Scotland area no longer the best partner for chips Our latest seafood ratings on the Good Fish Guide website have seen three haddock fisheries in the North Sea and West of Scotland area downgraded, due to a change in scientific advice.
News Good Fish Guide App that helps makes sustainable fish choices simple gets design award
23 Feb 2017
Our Good Fish Guide app is a 2016 Gold winner in the prestigious London Design Awards, which recognise creativity and leading design across a range of categories.
News Celebrating our seas - event report<
23 Feb 2017
Bringing people together that care passionately about our seas is core to what we do here at the Marine Conservation Society.
News Great news for Sussex Seas: marine protected areas for people and wildlife
16 Jan 2017
Friday saw the announcement of better protection for Sussex seas.
News Eastbourne MP backs call to keep iconic coastal waters special
13 Dec 2016
Caroline Ansell, MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon, is giving her support for our campaign to protect the sea and its special wildlife around the famous East Sussex chalk headland Beachy Head! Together we’re calling for a new Marine Conservation Zone called Beachy Head East.
News Great news for British beaches as bathing water results are announced
18 Nov 2016
It might be a bit too nippy to take a dip today, but 564 (that’s 91%) of UK designated bathing waters (beaches and a few inland waters) tested this summer have attained é’Excellent’ or é’Good’ results based on their water quality over the last four bathing seasons.
News Kayak Cornwall Challenge 2017
30 Sep 2016
Stunning scenery, fascinating wildlife, highly experienced guides and all in aid of the UKs leading marine conservation charityDate: Saturday 6th May - Wednesday 10th May 2017Location: Based from Port Mylor, Nr Falmouth Group size: 6 - 18 people plus guidesAccommodation: Camping (own equipment required) 0 isError = true if (isError alert(errorString) return !isError } //— by paying an initial deposit of ú95 and pledging to raise a further ú600 for the Marine Conservation Societyor pay for their trip in full at a cost of ú695.
News Citizen scientists needed:
30 Sep 2016
You can help shed light on the sex-life of lugworms We are asking the public to keep an eye out for signs of passion in the lugworm population this Autumn! Lugworms (Arenicola marina) spend most of their lives in muddy or sandy places, burrowed deep in the sediment.
News Super news for porpoise but more needs to be done!
29 Sep 2016
More protected areas should be created to help keep porpoise safe! Earlier this year many of you took action to achieve better protection for harbour porpoises in Scottish waters.
News Take action for Falmouth Bay!
28 Sep 2016
Help us keep this wondrous underwater world safe.
News Misleading wet wipes labelling
19 Sep 2016
Complaint lodged with the Advertising Standards Agency MCS has joined forces with Wessex Water and other partners to highlight the issue of wet wipe labelling to the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA).
News Colour for Marine Conservation
14 Sep 2016
ok Curious Creatures uncovers the world’s most visually fascinating underwater species, has partnered with us as part of our campaign for more and better managed Marine Protected Areas across the UK.
News Government announces ban on microbeads - Joint NGO response
3 Sep 2016
A coalition of environmental groups has welcomed a government announcement that it intends to ban microbeads from personal care products but pointed out that the current proposals don’t go far enough.
News MPs recommend microbead ban
24 Aug 2016
Responding to the Environmental Audit Committee’s report on microplastics today, a joint statement by the Marine Conservation Society, Environmental Investigation Agency, Fauna & Flora International, and Greenpeace UK, said: An estimated eight million tonnes of plastic goes into our seas every year - and microbeads in household products including face scrubs, toothpastes and detergents are a part of this problem.
News Referendum response
24 Jun 2016
The Marine Conservation Society is hugely disappointed that the UK will be leaving the European Union, as the results of the referendum confirm today (24th June 2016).
News MCS at Commons EAC
24 May 2016
Microbeads under the spotlight MCS presented at a meeting of the Commons Environmental Audit Committee today.
News The EU - In or Out?
19 May 2016
The UK public is heading to the ballot box on June 23rd to vote in the referendum that will decide if the UK should remain in the European Union.
News EU Directive gives UK bathers a cleaner deal
12 May 2016
Without forty years of European legislation, we could still be swimming in sewage The tragic death of six year old Caroline Wakefield from polio, contracted after swimming in sewage-contaminated sea off Gosport in 1957, raised the profile of bathing water pollution.
News Microbeads to be scrubbed out at last?
6 May 2016
Microbeads to be scrubbed out at last? MCS is delighted to hear that the UK Government is considering a ban on the use of microbeads in cosmetics and other products following many years of campaigning by MCS, our partners and supporters.
News Help us push for a ban on microbeads throughout Europe
14 Apr 2016
Thousands of people have helped us push for a ban on microbeads in the UK.
News Sperm whale strandings
11 Feb 2016
Sperm whale strandings Six male sperm whales have died on the coast of Norfolk and Lincolnshire recently.
News Funds available to clean up beaches affected by printer cartridges
27 Jan 2016
Funds available to clean up beaches affected by printer cartridges A storm at sea in 2014 resulted in the loss of HP printer cartridges which are being found washed up on UK and European coastlines.
News Environment (Wales) Bill Part 5 - Urgent action needed to protect our seas
7 Jan 2016
Environment (Wales) Bill Part 5 - Urgent action needed to protect our seas The Environment (Wales) Bill is at a crucial stage with the Welsh Government.
News Point The Fish Finger - update on our action
18 Dec 2015
Point The Fish Finger - update on our action We are delighted to say that Bella Italia and JD Wetherspoons have positively responded to our action! Bella Italia have now published a sustainable fish policy on their website.
News MCS response to European fisheries agreements, December 2015
16 Dec 2015
It’s that time of the year again when the Council of Ministers gather to discuss and agree the TAC’s and quotas for the following year, just in time for Christmas.
News Exclusive whisky raises funds for marine conservation
7 Dec 2015
MCS company supporter Glenmorangie have announced an exclusive collaboration with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.
News Pulse trawling trials are out of hand
30 Nov 2015
Pulse trawling trials hardly scientific says MCS: That’s why we’re supporting a ban now - and you can help! 85 Dutch supertrawlers are currently taking part in so-called scientific trials on electric é’pulse trawl’ fishing.
News New ratings: Some restaurant chains failing basic seafood sustainability test
17 Nov 2015
We’ve teamed up with Fish2Fork, the online guide that rates restaurants on seafood sustainability.
News Industry body recommends European companies drop use of microplastics
29 Oct 2015
We are pleased to report that a major industry association, “Cosmetics Europe” is now recommending that its 4,000 members phase out the use of microplastics in wash-off cosmetic and personal care products.
News Duo of loggerhead turtles seen close to shore in Dorset
23 Oct 2015
Duo of loggerhead turtles seen close to shore in Dorset Two loggerhead turtles have been spotted together by a group of walkers from the coast path at Durlston Head, Dorset on Sunday, October 18th.
News Conservationists ask Government to step up for nature
13 Oct 2015
An ambitious and inspirational long-term plan is urgently needed to save nature and improve our well-being as the Government considers its spending priorities - that is the clear message from the Response for Nature report published today by a coalition of leading conservation organisations including MCS.
News North Sea cod moves off the red list
24 Sep 2015
North Sea cod - out of the red at last But nine other cod stocks are still in a bad way The iconic European cod fishery which collapsed in the 1980s and has been ailing ever since, has finally increased above dangerously low levels and hauled itself off the MCS Fish to Avoid list.
News Photo offers a rare glimpse into underwater family life
26 Aug 2015
Photo offers a rare glimpse into underwater family life Diver and underwater photographer Paul Kay, from the Marine Conservation Society, has recently returned from a summer trip diving in Scottish sealochs.
News Emergency Conservation Order for Wester Ross
20 Aug 2015
Emergency Conservation Order for Wester Ross After evidence emerged of a scallop dredger towing in a protected area, the Scottish Government has put in place an urgent Marine Conservation Order (MCO) to safeguard fragile seabed habitats off Wester Ross in northwest Scotland.
News Date for England's plastic bag charge
18 Aug 2015
Date for England’s plastic bag charge A new law which requires large shops in England to charge 5p for all single-use plastic carrier bags comes into force from Monday 5 October 2015.
News Ocean Plastics Awareness Day: Royal Couple To Support Solutions To Protect Beautiful Beaches in Cornwall From Marine Litter
20 Jul 2015
Ocean Plastics Awareness Day: Royal Couple To Support Solutions To Protect Cornwall’s Beautiful Beaches From Marine Litter MCS received a visit from Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall today, when the royal couple visited Fistral beach as part of their summer visit to Cornwall.
News Seabass sinking into deep trouble as European states fail to agree on adequate rescue package
9 Jul 2015
Seabass sinking into deep trouble as European states fail to agree on adequate rescue package Iconic fish faces uncertain future says MCS and drastic measures are required to protect the stock MCS says a fish that has become a restaurant favourite in recent years requires urgent help from European states if the fishery is to be saved from a complete crash.
News Unique mapping project to capture the sounds of our shores
7 Jul 2015
Unique mapping project to capture the sounds of our shores ó Project aims to capture sounds from the whole of the 10,800 mile UK coastline ó Sounds uploaded on the map will be added to the British Library’s Sound Archive ó Martyn Ware from Human League and Heaven 17 will use sounds to create a new piece of music inspired by the coast The public is being asked to record the sounds that shape and define our relationship with the coast across the UK in a three-month crowd sourced sound project - é’sounds of our shores’ - being launched today by the National Trust, National Trust for Scotland and the British Library.
News New report describes European seas as "not healthy or clean"
24 Jun 2015
New report describes European seas as “not healthy or clean Ø A report published by the European Environment Agency today shows that human activities and climate change are putting increasing pressure on European seas.
News How sustainable is the fish on your fork?
19 Jun 2015
How sustainable is the fish on your fork? MCS partnership with campaigning restaurant guide Fish2fork will make finding out easier Choosing a restaurant where you can eat seafood with an easy conscience can be a bind.
News Stronger seabed protection measures unveiled in response to widespread support for Scottish MPAs
11 Jun 2015
Stronger seabed protection measures unveiled in response to widespread support for Scottish MPAs Thousands said they didn’t want marine é’paper parks’ and the Scottish Government listened.
News Political sea views
20 Apr 2015
Political sea views With the political parties setting out their respective manifesto pledges over the past week, positions on issues such as the economy, NHS and immigration have unsurprisingly grabbed the headlines.
News Second round of Marine Conservation Zone designation will leave English waters woefully under protected
30 Jan 2015
Second round of Marine Conservation Zone designation will leave English waters woefully under protected MCS joins forces with the National Trust to warn that promised network of protection is not even close as vital sites don’t even get to public consultation MCS says it is hugely disappointed that, in the same week the Government has been warned how England’s declining natural environment is harming the economy, it has failed to deliver on promises to better protect English seas.
News Lost turtles found on beaches in North West England
23 Dec 2014
‘Lost’ turtles found on beaches in North West England Pair are thousands of miles from traditional feeding grounds Two turtles have been washed ashore in the North West of England, thousands of miles from their usual feeding grounds in the Caribbean.
News Newly reformed Common Fisheries Policy stumbles at first hurdle
17 Dec 2014
Newly reformed Common Fisheries Policy stumbles at first hurdle MCS Fisheries Policy Officer, Debbie Crockard, reflects on another closed door meeting to set fishing quotas We were hopeful that the ministers would look to the future and apply the new CFP in a way that would ensure sustainable and profitable fisheries for the future of fish and fishermen.
News First marine plan - a step-change for Scottish seas
15 Dec 2014
First marine plan - a step-change for Scotland’s seas Scottish Government reveals ‘trail-blazing’ high-level plan for managing Scotland’s seas Scotland’s National Marine Plan is the first ever overarching strategy for planning the wide-ranging activities in Scotland’s sea.
News Urgent action is needed now to prevent sea bass stock crashing
10 Dec 2014
Urgent action is needed now to prevent sea bass stock crashing Fishing pressure on European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) has increased significantly in recent years, and the biomass of this stock is set to decrease.
News Committee of MEPs votes to undermine discard ban
3 Dec 2014
Committee of MEPs votes to undermine discard ban Today (3rd December 2014) European Parliament ignored the voice of the public and stepped back from the sustainable fishing reform agreed last year.
News The sound of silence on dying coral reefs disorientates fish larvae
3 Dec 2014
The sound of silence on dying coral reefs disorientates fish larvae You can hear the sound of former bustling coral reefs dying due to the impact of human activity, according to new research from the Universities of Essex and Exeter.
News Discard ban - dead in the water before it has even started?
28 Nov 2014
Discard ban - dead in the water before it has even started? MCS says MEPs must vote against changes that will leave ban useless Tweet your MP! A European ban on the practice of discarding (when fish are thrown overboard, usually dead) is due to be phased in from 2015 to 2019.
News Discard ban - dead in the water before it has even started?
27 Nov 2014
Discard ban - dead in the water before it has even started? MCS says MEPs must vote against changes that will leave ban useless Tweet your MP! A European ban on the practice of discarding (when fish are thrown overboard, usually dead) is due to be phased in from 2015 to 2019.
News University acknowledges MCS positive impact work
25 Nov 2014
University acknowledges MCS positive impact work The work MCS has done on ensuring the so-called é’Special Areas of Conservation’, set up under EU laws, are well-managed, has been recognised by the University of West of England.
News Marine Charter attracts parliamentary support from all parties
19 Nov 2014
Marine Charter attracts parliamentary support from all parties But will signatures translate into manifesto promises? There was widespread support for a full and well-managed network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around the UK at a marine event in Westminster yesterday (Wednesday19th November).
News MCS joins forces with Woodland Trust over carrier bag charge
18 Nov 2014
MCS joins forces with Woodland Trust over carrier bag charge MCS and the Woodland Trust say cash from the carrier bag charge revenue from retailers must benefit the environment.
News First ever all-Maldivian Reef Check survey
14 Nov 2014
First ever all-Maldivian Reef Check survey MCS Senior Biodiversity Policy Officer, Dr Jean-Luc Solandt, is celebrating today (14th November 2014) as the first all-Maldivian Reef check survey takes place just to the south of the Maldives capital, Male’.
News 120 MPs unite in call for better protection of UK seas
11 Nov 2014
120 MPs unite in call for better protection of UK seas On the fifth anniversary (12th November 2014) of the Marine & Coastal Access Act, Over 125 MPs and 20 peers have signed up to a Marine Charter calling for a full network of Marine Protected Areas in UK seas.
News MCS tells Scottish Government not to take the "P" out of marine protection
11 Nov 2014
MCS tells Scottish Government not to take the ‘P’ out of marine protection New proposals to manage fishing in Scotland’s recently established Marine Protected Area (MPA) network could deny protection to some of Scotland’s most precious sea areas, because some fishing methods such as scallop-dredging and bottom-trawling would be allowed to continue.
News MCS publishes new research on making Marine Protected Areas more effective
11 Nov 2014
MCS publishes new research on making Marine Protected Areas more effective MCS’s marine protection expert, Dr Jean-Luc Solandt has collaborated with international scientists to publish research, using evidence from around the world, on how to make Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) work more effectively.
News Leatherbacks drown after getting entangled with creel ropes
4 Nov 2014
Leatherbacks drown after getting entangled with creel ropes But tragedy allows scientists to discover more about these majestic animals A post-mortem has been carried out by the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme on a second leatherback turtle found entangled in creel ropes off Dunbar.
News MCS heads to Oman to dive two new Marine Protected Areas
27 Oct 2014
MCS heads to Oman to dive two new Marine Protected Areas Will a year’s protection have paid off? In two secluded bays in the coral-rich waters of the Musandam Peninsula in Oman, all fishing except local handline fishing have been banned for almost a year.
News Protection for Musandam peninsula in Oman
27 Oct 2014
In two secluded bays in the coral-rich waters of the Musandam peninsula in Oman, all fishing except local handline fishing has been banned for almost a year.
News Save Our Waters
10 Oct 2014
Save Our Waters We’ve teamed up with other conservation organisations to influence how streams, rivers and other watery resources will be managed by the Environment Agency (in England and Wales) in years to come.
News Breeding seabirds in Welsh waters to get better protection
7 Oct 2014
Breeding seabirds in Welsh waters to get better protection MCS says an announcement made today (7th October 2014) by the Welsh Government is good news for internationally important populations of breeding seabirds in Welsh waters.
News Avoid eating wild-caught UK salmon is latest fish advice from MCS
24 Sep 2014
Avoid eating wild-caught UK salmon is latest fish advice from MCS but latest fish ratings also reveal better news for mackerel, herring and halibut stocks.
News Scottish seas - the referendum
16 Sep 2014
Scottish seas - the referendum Posted 16th September 2014 Will Scotland vote to stay part of the UK, or will it become independent? We thought we’d share what the “Yes Scotland” and “Better Together” camps have said to MCS supporters in the most recent edition of Marine Conservation magazine, as we head towards Thursday’s historic vote.
News UNITED IN MANIFESTO ASK FOR UK SEAS
16 Sep 2014
UNITED IN MANIFESTO ASK FOR UK SEAS As the Government’s response to the Environmental Audit Select Committee’s Marine Protected Area inquiry is published, MCS is one of 19 organisations that have come together united on the actions needed to help UK seas recover.
News Scottish Marine Litter Strategy launched
19 Aug 2014
Scottish Marine Litter Strategy launched Environment Secretary goes down on the beach to reveal plans on tackling marine litter MCS Scotland Programme Manager, Calum Duncan, joined Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead at Portobello West Beach, Edinburgh today (19th August 2014) for the launch of the first ever strategy setting out how to tackle the problem of marine litter around the country’s coasts and waters.
News Scottish seas set for 30 new Marine Protected Areas after historic announcement
24 Jul 2014
Scottish seas set for 30 new Marine Protected Areas after historic announcement MCS staff and supporters have been a major influence in lengthy process Calum Duncan, MCS Scotland Programme Manager and Convenor of Scottish Environment LINK’s marine taskforce, says the Scottish Government’s announcement to more than double the size of an emerging network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is welcome news for country’s hidden underwater wonderlands and a great step forward in the right direction.
News Scottish seas set for 30 Marine Protected Areas after historic announcement
24 Jul 2014
Scottish seas set for 30 Marine Protected Areas after historic announcement Calum Duncan, MCS Scotland Programme Manager and Convenor of Scottish Environment LINK’s marine taskforce says the Scottish Government’s announcement to more than double the size of an emerging network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is welcome news for country’s hidden underwater wonderlands.
News MCS investigates potential dredge damage
24 Jul 2014
MCS investigates potential dredge damage Fears for traditional fishing industries MCS has spent the day with Falmouth handline fisherman David Thomas, and local marine biologist Dr Miles Hoskin on a trip to see the areas likely to be affected by proposed dredging in the Fal estuary.
News MCS REPORT TAKES STOCK OF JELLYFISH IN UK SEAS
22 Jul 2014
MCS REPORT TAKES STOCK OF JELLYFISH IN UK SEAS 2013 proved a record year for jellyfish sightings, and large number of sightings have already been reported in 2014 A new report by MCS and the University of Exeter takes stock of where and when jellyfish occur in UK seas for the first time in over 40 years.
News Sharks found dead on Gower and Isle of Wight beaches
15 Jul 2014
MCS has been sent evidence of two separate incidents where shark species have been found on the shore in mysterious circumstances.
News The ecosystem of the English Channel has been transformed by fishing, report shows
11 Jul 2014
The ecosystem of the English Channel has been transformed by fishing, report shows A new report (10th July 2014) shows that many fish species, especially those at the top of the food chain, are faring badly in the English Channel.
News New report provides cast iron case for protecting basking sharks in the West of Scotland
4 Jul 2014
New report provides cast iron case for protecting basking sharks in the West of Scotland MCS welcomes evidence that shows a Marine Protected Area is merited to protect these gentle giants The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says that the case for setting up a basking shark Marine Protected Area in West Scotland waters is now cast iron, following shark tagging research which shows how important the area is for this species.
News MPA Inquiry Report says Government must show more commitment to protecting English seas
20 Jun 2014
MPA Inquiry Report says Government must show more commitment to protecting English seas Report must act as a wake up call says MCS We welcome the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee’s Marine Protected Area Inquiry Report, published today.
News Royal Mail identifies something fishy when it comes to public understanding of sustainable fishing
5 Jun 2014
Royal Mail identifies something fishy when it comes to public understanding of sustainable fishing UK fish stamp set highlights the threat to UK fisheries The Royal Mail has issued a set of UK stamps today (June 5th 2014), featuring five species threatened in UK waters and five that come from sustainable populations.
News Good Catch - The Sustainable Seafood Award 2015
2 Jun 2014
Good Catch - The Sustainable Seafood Award 2015 Three sustainable chippies make it through to final The three outstanding chippies leading the way for sustainable seafood this year have been revealed.
News Scottish carrier bag charge approved by Scottish Parliament
29 May 2014
Scottish carrier bag charge approved by Scottish Parliament 29 May 2014 MCS is pleased to see that a charge on single-use carrier bags will be introduced by law across Scotland in October this year.
News MCS divers says Falmouth waters will be 'severely impacted' by further dredging
16 May 2014
MCS divers says Falmouth waters will be ‘severely impacted’ by further dredging With MCS’s ongoing concerns over Falmouth Port’s application to dredge a deeper shipping channel, MCS divers have surveyed both sides of the Carrick Roads deep water channel in the Falmouth estuary.
News MCS shortlisted in prestigious national awards
8 May 2014
MCS shortlisted in prestigious national awards Marine Conservation Society in final three in conservation category We’re absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted in the annual Charity Awards 2014, which are organised by Civil Society Media.
News A record number of UK bathing beaches receive our top water quality award after the driest summer since 2003
11 Apr 2014
A record number of UK bathing beaches receive our top water quality award after the driest summer since 2003.
News Killer Bags Still Threaten the Environment.
9 Apr 2014
Killer Bags Still Threaten the Environment.
News First regional Marine Plan published
2 Apr 2014
2nd April Marine Conservation Society response to Government announcement on East Marine Plan: England’s first regional Marine Plan published One hundred years later than terrestrial planning, the UK at last has its first Marine Plan.
News British beaches are the final resting places for mountains of litter with more arriving on every wave and gust of wind
25 Mar 2014
British beaches are the final resting places for mountains of litter with more arriving on every wave and gust of wind Beach litter is increasing and behaviour needs to change.
News The Natural Captial Committee's second State of Natural Capital report identifies economic gains from increased fish stocks
11 Mar 2014
The Natural Captial Committee’s second State of Natural Capital report identifies economic gains from increased fish stocks MCS says the Committee’s call for a long term framework to improve the health of our natural environment, and the Committee’s recognition that failure to do will result in society losing out on enormous benefits is to be welcomed.
News MCS celebrates as its turtle conservation recommendations are adopted by Caribbean islands
11 Mar 2014
MCS celebrates as its turtle conservation recommendations are adopted by Caribbean islands Turks and Caicos Islands turtles now set for a brighter future After five years of working alongside the fishermen and authorities of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) in the Caribbean, MCS says it’s delighted that the regions turtles face a much safer future.
News Thanks for signing our petition to stop the most destructive fishing practices in the Northeast Atlantic.
27 Feb 2014
Thanks for signing our petition to stop the most destructive fishing practices in the Northeast Atlantic.
News MCS joins willdife groups calling for ban on propellers that cause fatal 'corkscrew' injuries
26 Feb 2014
MCS joins willdife groups calling for ban on propellers that cause fatal ‘corkscrew’ injuries MCS Scotland Programme Manager, Calum Duncan, says the Scottish Government must be more pro-active in trying to prevent fatal injuries to seals and porpoises where the animals bodies are sliced up ‘corkscrew’ style.
News 37 more Marine Conservation Zones to be considered
24 Feb 2014
37 more Marine Conservation Zones to be considered We are pleased to hear this afternoon’s (24th February 2014) announcement by Defra that a further 37 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) are being considered for designation in 2015.
News Success of marine protected areas found to depend on five key features
6 Feb 2014
Success of marine protected areas found to depend on five key features A paper just published in the journal Nature gives some insights into just how well marine protected areas (MPAs) are faring in delivering on their conservation potential.
News Government must listen to inquiry findings if bag charges in England to work
5 Feb 2014
Government must listen to inquiry findings if bag charges in England to work MCS backs recommendations to make scheme as simple as possible MCS says it is delighted at the conclusions of the Environmental Audit Committee’s (EAC) inquiry into the plastic bag charge in England.
News When it is safe to go back on the beach - why not treat your favourite bit of coastline to a winter clean-up?
27 Jan 2014
When it’s safe to go back on the beach - why not treat your favourite bit of coastline to a winter clean-up? After a Christmas and New Year period that saw Britain battered by high winds, lashing rain and storm waves believed to be amongst the most extreme in living memory, many of the UK’s beaches have been left strewn with huge amounts of litter.
News Fleetwood chippie leads the way when it comes to a sustainable fish supper
24 Jan 2014
Fleetwood chippie leads the way when it comes to a sustainable fish supper MCS applauds efforts as Lancashire business scoops seafood award MCS says the performance of a Lancashire fish and chip shop in recent industry awards highlighting sustainability is a credit to staff who are converting customers to making smarter fish choices over the fryer.
News Mexican visitor washes up on Carmarthenshire coast
16 Jan 2014
Mexican visitor washes up on Carmarthenshire coast Cefn Sidan is final resting place for critically endangered marine turtle more at home in the Gulf of Mexico A rare marine turtle has been washed up on Cefn Sidan beach, Pembrey, Carmarthenshire.
News Explore the shore after New Year storms
15 Jan 2014
Explore the shore after New Year storms We’ve been experiencing some pretty stormy weather lately here in the UK, with strong winds, big waves and high spring tides at the coast.
News First MCZs designated
20 Dec 2013
First MCZs designated After our huge public campaign in support of a network of Marine Conservation Zones for English Seas, the Government finally announced in November that the first 27 sites will be set up in 2014.
News Old school negotiations see fishing quotas set behind closed-doors for the last time
18 Dec 2013
Old school negotiations see fishing quotas set behind closed-doors for the last time Fishing quotas for 2014 have been set at a meeting in Brussels of European Union fisheries ministers (17th December 2013).
News A Christmas facial - a treat for your skin but a disaster for our seas
18 Dec 2013
A Christmas facial - a treat for your skin but a disaster for our seas Exfoliating particles flushed down the sink are adding to the seas’ é’plastic soup’ Lots of people will treat themselves to some extra beauty therapies over the festive period, or give facial products as a pampering gift - but although these items may make our skin look and feel good, they’re giving our seas anything but a make-over.
News Scapa Flow Reveals Rare Sighting Of Flame Shell Molluscs
13 Dec 2013
Scapa Flow Reveals Rare Sighting Of Flame Shell Molluscs Previous records off Orkney date back to the 1950’s say divers Scuba divers say they have found rare flame shells - a small scallop like species - in Scapa Flow, Orkney, just two years after a scarce giant fan mussel was recorded by divers in the same area.
News Deep sea loses out, despite passionate support by some MEPs for a phase-out of destructive fishing practices
10 Dec 2013
Deep sea loses out, despite passionate support by some MEPs for a phase-out of destructive fishing practices In a very close vote in the European Parliament today (10th December 2013) MEPs have rejected the phase-out of destructive deep sea trawling by just 16 votes - a move that would have protected the deep sea long into the future Trawling is probably the most destructive practice in the deep sea - which unlike shallow waters is characterised by a pace of life so slow it is almost static.
News More backing for offshore power is good news provided any potential harm to marine life is minimised
4 Dec 2013
More backing for offshore power is good news provided any potential harm to marine life is minimised Floating and gravitiy based turbines - not piling says MCS The winds of change are blowing for .
News 27 Marine Conservation Zones to be designated in English seas
22 Nov 2013
27 Marine Conservation Zones to be designated in English seas.
News 27 MCZs must be seen as just a first step towards a network of marine conservation sites in English seas.
21 Nov 2013
27 MCZs must be seen as just a first step towards a network of marine conservation sites in English seas.
News MCS backs call for Prime Minister to do more for nature
19 Nov 2013
MCS backs call for Prime Minister to do more for nature The Government is failing to deliver nearly a third of its natural environment commitments, despite huge public support for action for nature, wildlife and the countryside.
News Will it be pollock or pilchards, seabass or salmon tonight?
13 Nov 2013
Will it be pollock or pilchards, seabass or salmon tonight? New research shows British consumers still unsure about which fish to eat MCS seafood app is now available for Android If you’re trying to eat the most responsible seafood about, then the MCS Good Fish Guide app has got the most up to date advice and is now available on Android - downloadable from the playstore for FREE.
News North Sea cod still a no go
13 Nov 2013
For Cod’s Sake - North Sea Cod remains off the menu despite huge efforts to improve stocks MCS urges consumers to choose a different accompaniment to chips MCS has not changed its advice on North Sea cod in the latest version of its sustainable seafood guide - fish caught in that area should remain firmly off the menu, despite an encouraging rise in stocks.
News MCS welcomes George Eustice MP to his new position of Parliamentary Under-Secretary within the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
8 Oct 2013
MCS welcomes George Eustice MP to his new position of Parliamentary Under-Secretary within the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
News An increase in mackerel stocks is so no green light for increasing fishing pressure
7 Oct 2013
An increase in mackerel stocks is so no green light for increasing fishing pressure No new assessment on mackerel stocks will be made available until next year despite a report suggesting that numbers of the iconic fish have been increasing in recent years.
News MCS welcomes increasing mackerel stocks, but case not closed
7 Oct 2013
MCS welcomes increasing mackerel stocks, but case not closed Interim advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), suggests that stocks of mackerel may have increased in recent years, but unexpectedly, the body will be making no formal assessment available until next year.
News Seas south of Oban reveal some "jewels"
27 Sep 2013
Seas south of Oban reveal some é’jewels’ Divers report rise in marine species following scallop dredging ban Divers have discovered that colourful reef life in the Firth of Lorn, south of Oban, may be recovering following a six-year closure to scallop dredging in the area.
News Plans for a plastic bag charge for England announced
14 Sep 2013
Plans for a plastic bag charge for England announced MCS is pleased to announce some excellent news.
News Join us in making Scotland seas litter free!
30 Aug 2013
Join us in making Scotland’s seas litter free! MCS has been working hard over the past four years to make sure the Scottish Government follows up on its commitment to implement a marine litter strategy.
News First sighting of a loggerhead turtle off Dorset since 1938
21 Aug 2013
First sighting of a loggerhead turtle off Dorset since 1938 MCS has been alerted to a sighting of a loggerhead turtle off Portland Bill near Weymouth.
News Suzie is back on track
21 Aug 2013
Suzie is back on track After being off the radar, Suzie, our first tagged turtle from the Turks and Caicos Islands, pops up! Last week the MCS Biodiversity team were amazed to hear about a sighting of a long lost friend.
News Wibble wobble - you wouldn't want these jellies on your plate!
30 Jul 2013
Wibble wobble - you wouldn’t want these jellies on your plate! Increasing numbers of moon, compass, blue and lion’s mane jellyfish reported in UK waters as the summer finally arrives.
News Historic summer to save Scotland's seas
25 Jul 2013
Historic summer to save Scotland’s seas The heat is on for the public show of support for marine protection for Scotland’s fabulous seas MCS in Scotland says today’s launch (25th July 2013) of a public consultation on a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), both around the coast and further offshore, could be the turning point in reversing the decline of Scottish seas - so vital to the economy of the country.
News Marine Conservation Society says local support is key if Sound of Barra to be successful Special Area of Conservation
19 Jul 2013
Marine Conservation Society says local support is key if Sound of Barra to be successful Special Area of Conservation Charity welcome Scottish Government announcement of Western Isles site The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says the announcement that the Sound of Barra will become a marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the European Habitats Directive after the scientific case for protection was accepted by the Scottish Government is good news for marine life in the area.
News Support for Barra as Special Area of Conservation will help long-term sustainability says Marine Conservation Society
19 Jul 2013
Support for Barra as Special Area of Conservation will help long-term sustainability says Marine Conservation Society The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says the announcement that the Sound of Barra will become a marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the European Habitats Directive after the scientific case for protection was accepted by the Scottish Government is good news for marine life in the area.
News Report suggests fish stocks are turning a corner
19 Jul 2013
Report suggests fish stocks are turning a corner MCS says enough time must given before we can start getting some stocks back on the menu A new report published today by the University of Aberdeen indicates that some fish species in the North East Atlantic region are showing signs of recovery, with stock numbers beginning to stabilise and showing signs of growth The authors of the paper go so far as to link this encouraging news with the management measures laid out in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) over the last decade.
News "Monitoring" - the Government's new word for inaction on carrier bag charge
18 Jul 2013
Monitoring’ - the Government’s new word for inaction on carrier bag charge The Break the Bag Habit campaign group says there are no credible reasons left for the Government not to introduce a charge on all carrier bags in England.
News Government making 'grave error' in not backing full MCZ network around England
16 Jul 2013
Government making ‘grave error’ in not backing full MCZ network around England The Government has published it’s responses to the English MCZ consultation.
News Cleaning your favourite beach will make you part of a global marine litter movement
16 Jul 2013
Cleaning your favourite beach will make you part of a global marine litter movement International coastal clean-up could take place on your doorstep - are you ready to take it on? The UK’s leading marine charity is urging people who love the coast and enjoy nothing better than a barefoot stroll along the beach to do their bit in the worldwide fight against marine litter.
News Scottish seas are worth their weight in gold to economy and public well-being says new report
16 Jul 2013
Scottish seas are worth their weight in gold to economy and public well-being says new report Monetary and emotional value of protecting our seas cannot be ignored, says MCS For the first time a study of divers and anglers has revealed that the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in UK seas will not only benefit habitats and wildlife, but will also bring considerable economic benefits and have a positive effect on the well-being of sea and coastal users.
News English seas are worth their weight in gold to economy and public well-being says new report
15 Jul 2013
English seas are worth their weight in gold to economy and public well-being says new report Financial and emotional value of protecting our seas cannot be ignored, say conservation and user groups For the first time a study of divers and anglers has revealed that the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in UK seas will not only benefit habitats and wildlife, but will also bring considerable economic benefits and have a positive effect on the well-being of sea and coastal users.
News Have your say on draft Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland
11 Jul 2013
Have your say on draft Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland Posted: 11th July 2013 The Scottish Government has announced a draft Marine Litter Strategy which is now open to public comment.
News Draft strategy to tackle litter blight on Scotland's seas announced
4 Jul 2013
Draft strategy to tackle litter blight on Scotland’s seas announced posted: 4th July 2013 MCS today welcomes a new approach to tackling litter in Scotland’s marine environment.
News Marine Conservation Zones for English seas stalling, say MPs
3 Jul 2013
Marine Conservation Zones for English seas stalling, say MPs posted: 3rd July 2013 The Marine Conservation Society agrees with the findings of the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee that the Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) process seems to be stalling, and lacks a clear timetable that details when Government will designate the network of MCZs.
News Help end the blind spend on subsidies
1 Jul 2013
Help end the blind spend on subsidies As this video illustrates, subsidies are fuelling overfishing in European seas.
News MCS heads to Downing Street to hand in YOUR pledges
11 Jun 2013
MCS heads to Downing Street to hand in YOUR pledges Message to minister ‘don’t let the public down’ MCS was joined by the RSPB, WWF and the Wildlife Trusts in London today (12th June 2013) as the four charities handed in to 10 Downing Street over 350,000 pledges, calling for an ecologically coherent network of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs).
News MCS Chief Executive becomes first British woman to receive international environmental award for her "outstanding" leadership of UK sea charity
31 May 2013
MCS Chief Executive becomes first British woman to receive international environmental women’s award for her ‘outstanding’ leadership of UK sea charity MCS boss is the eleventh recipient of the Rachel Carson Prize Samantha Fanshawe has become the first British woman to receive the Rachel Carson Prize, an environmental award in memory of the American marine biologist and author, often called the mother of the modern environmental movement.
News MCS broadly welcomes crucial reforms to CFP
30 May 2013
MCS broadly welcomes crucial reforms to CFP The negotiations have been long and hard, finally ending in the early hours of 30th May 2013.
News Chilly UK seas could be keeping basking sharks away
28 May 2013
Chilly UK seas could be keeping basking sharks away Slow start to spotting season as plankton fails to bloom in cooler waters Basking sharks, which can grow to the size of a double decker bus, appear to be giving UK seas the cold shoulder probably because the water temperature here is lower than usual at this time of year.
News State of Nature report must be acted upon says conservation groups
22 May 2013
State of Nature report must be acted upon says conservation groups MCS among coalition calling on the Prime Minister to take action now MCS supports the State of Nature report launched today by Sir David Attenborough which reveals that 60% of UK wildlife species are in decline.
News Passion for plastic is leaving a legacy of litter on Britain's beaches
14 May 2013
Passion for plastic is leaving a legacy of litter on Britain’s beaches Plastic vies for space in the sand alongside sweet wrappers, cigarette stubs and drinks bottles as our beaches reveal anti-litter campaigns are now falling on deaf ears.
News Beachwatch Big Weekend 2012
13 May 2013
Beachwatch Big Weekend 2012 Results of the UK’s biggest beach clean and survey MCS Beachwatch Big Weekend is the only national volunteer beach clean-up and survey in the UK.
News MCS supports scientists' open letter to Government backing marine conservation zones
23 Apr 2013
MCS supports scientists’ open letter to Government backing marine conservation zones Posted: 22nd April 2013 Leading scientists, led by Professor Callum Roberts - a leading authority on Marine Protected Areas, are backing MCS’s call for Westminster to step up and protect English seas.
News MCS backs MPs report on MCZ process
11 Apr 2013
MCS backs MPs report on MCZ process MCS welcomes today’s (11th April 2013) Marine Science report from the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee which, through careful enquiry, methodically unpicks the Government’s preferred narrative as to why only 31 out of 127 Marine Conservation Zones have thus far been proposed for designation.
News 5p charge in Northern Ireland leaves England as only home nation not taking action on carrier bags
8 Apr 2013
5p charge in Northern Ireland leaves England as only home nation not taking action on carrier bags Six billion bags and rising - but still no action in England says Break the Bag Habit coalition The Break the Bag Habit (BTBH) Coalition, of which MCS is a member, says it welcomes the news that from today (Monday 8th April) Northern Ireland is taking action to prevent bag litter by bringing in a tax of 5p for single use carrier bags.
News 2012 - A bad year for Britain's bathing beaches as one of the wettest summers on record led to increased sewage in the sea
19 Mar 2013
2012 - A bad year for Britain’s bathing beaches as one of the wettest summers on record led to increased sewage in the sea MCS urges swimmers to beware as it recommends fewer beaches for excellent water quality One of the UK’s wettest summers on record has led to a worrying drop in the number of beaches around the country being recommended for their excellent bathing water quality in the annual MCS ‘Good Beach Guide’.
News Marine charity urges communities to help stop damaging balloon and lantern releases
13 Mar 2013
Marine charity urges communities to help stop damaging balloon and lantern releases Choking sea creatures and tangled up marine wildlife are the results of ‘letting go’ MCS is hoping to encourage communities to think again before organising balloon and sky lantern releases.
News Scotland's economy could get £10billion boost from network of marine protection
3 Dec 2012
Scotland’s economy could get £10billion boost from network of marine protection MCS says true value could be even greater Creating a network of Scottish marine protected areas (MPAs) could provide benefits to Scotland to the tune of ú10billion, and potentially more, according to a new report.
News Seasearch project wins national award
30 Nov 2012
Seasearch project wins national award Information gathered from previously unsurveyed sites in the north east Scarborough Sub Aqua Club’s Real Reefs Project has won this year’s Peter Small Jubilee Trust Award for the most worthwhile and ambitious BSAC project conducted in UK waters.
News Seafood traceability is integral part of top chippies says MCS
28 Nov 2012
Seafood traceability is integral part of top chippies says MCS Three fish and chip shops will compete for the prestigous Good Catch Award at next years National Fish and Chip Awards.
News Threatened species get a comedic facelift as MCS gives little-known creatures a voice from the deep
15 Nov 2012
Threatened species get a comedic facelift as MCS gives little-known creatures a voice from the deep Everyday drama stories from our oceans help highlight the need for Marine Conservation Zones in England A common skate with a below average love life and who is anything but common; a spiny lobster who is no oil painting; and a trembling sea mat, an animal that looks like a plant that’s only found in one place in England.
News New award to boost aquaculture innovation
1 Nov 2012
New award to boost aquaculture innovation MCS is delighted to hear that the Global Aquaculture Alliance has launched a new award to encourage innovations in aquaculture that reduce environmental impacts or increase sustainability.
News CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCE COMES UNDER BAG MONSTER ATTACK
9 Oct 2012
CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCE COMES UNDER BAG MONSTER ATTACK Zac Goldsmith MP shows support for protest against single use carrier bags Over 20 Bag Monsters - created from over 10,000 single-use plastic bags - ran riot outside the Conservative Party Conference today (Tuesday 9th October).
News Marine charity says the wider community must act to clean up the North West's dirty seas
17 Sep 2012
Marine charity says the wider community must act to clean up the North West’s dirty seas As stricter bathing guidelines loom more must be done to improve the worst performing part of the UK coast for bathers MCS is today (17th September 2012) telling a conference in Blackpool that the town’s future as an iconic seaside resort is under threat because not enough is being done to solve the problem of bathing water contamination.
News Stinging Portuguese Man of War wash up on UK shores
7 Sep 2012
Stinging Portuguese Man of War wash up on UK shores MCS warns beach visitors not to touch bizarre creature that’s not a single animal but a floating colony! MCS and Cornwall Council say they have received reports of several Portuguese Men Of War washing up on beaches in Cornwall just days after authorities in Ireland warned local beach goers about a spate of recent strandings of this potentially dangerous floating sea creature.
News Severn barrage is ego project for civil engineers who don't care about the environment says UK's leading marine charity
3 Sep 2012
Severn barrage is ego project for civil engineers who don’t care about the environment says UK’s leading marine charity Marine Conservation Society says barrage is wrong project in wrong place.
News Standby for jellyfish swarms as UK seas heat up
9 Aug 2012
Standby for jellyfish swarms as UK seas heat up After a slow start to jellyfish spotting season the Marine Conservation Society urges coastal visitors to report jelly sightings as ‘thermometers of the sea’ start to bloom MCS says there have been far fewer jellyfish sightings so far this year reported to our spotting programme which we run along with the national jellyfish survey.
News Campaign for a single-use carrier bag levy for Scotland!
6 Aug 2012
Campaign for a single-use carrier bag levy for Scotland! Eight years after MCS first supported the Environment Levy Bill proposed by Mike Pringle MSP, and six years after joining forces with WWF Scotland, RSPB Scotland and Friends of the Earth Scotland to support this Bill for a plastic bag levy, we are delighted that this issue is now within a package of measures being considered as part of the ‘Safeguarding Scotland’s Resources’ consultation.
News Supermarket trolleys, Russian toothpaste, and an old shop till - just a few of the weird items that have washed up on British beaches.
26 Jul 2012
Supermarket trolleys, Russian toothpaste, and an old shop till - just a few of the weird items that have washed up on British beaches.
News Public sightings suggest increase in basking sharks in British waters
23 Jul 2012
Public sightings suggest increase in basking sharks in British waters MCS data reveals more people are spotting these marine giants - and they’re getting bigger! The number of basking sharks recorded in Britain’s seas could be increasing, decades after being protected from commercial hunting in the late 20th century.
News MCS says landmark proposal to phase out deep-sea bottom trawling in North east Atlantic is massive step towards protection of the deep
19 Jul 2012
MCS says landmark proposal to phase out deep-sea bottom trawling in North east Atlantic is massive step towards protection of the deep The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) of which MCS is a member, has welcomed the proposal by the European Commission to phase out destructive deep-sea bottom trawling and bottom gillnetting by EU fishing fleets in the Northeast Atlantic.
News MCS urges Government to designate English Marine Conservation Zones now that the evidence is in.
19 Jul 2012
MCS urges Government to designate English Marine Conservation Zones now that the evidence is in.
News Friday the 13th - unlucky for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy?
13 Jul 2012
Friday the 13th - unlucky for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy? Friday the 13th doesn’t have the most auspicious ring to it.
News Blueprint for fisheries management gets MCS support
10 Jul 2012
Blueprint for fisheries management gets MCS support MCS says a new partnership which aims to balance conservation and the economic needs of fishermen in Lyme Bay reflects a fresh approach to fisheries management in the UK and it’s keen to see this bottom -up co-management approach adopted as a model elsewhere.
News Rio+20 must make a measureable commitment to save our seas and oceans
21 Jun 2012
Rio+20 must make a measureable commitment to save our seas and oceans Stop floundering and show us your jaws, Marine Conservation Society tells Rio + 20 Ministers As Ministers from around the world congregate in Rio de Janeiro to make global commitments at the United Nations Conferences on Environment and Development, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is urging them to amend their draft text to make three key measureable commitments rather than the present empty promises.
News Crawfish sightings off Lundy - clear evidence of the benefits of protecting our seas says MCS
14 Jun 2012
Crawfish sightings off Lundy - clear evidence of the benefits of protecting our seas says MCS Rare sea fans also recovering in an area free from damaging activities Divers say the reefs around Lundy Island off the North Devon coast are becoming healthier with recovery of sea fan populations clearly seen and nationally scarce species spotted in number.
News Fisheries Council meeting agree discard ban
12 Jun 2012
Fisheries Council meeting agree discard ban EU Fisheries Ministers have agreed (13th June) to ban the practice of discards.
News MCS and IFFO back marine mammal and turtle conservation in South America
30 May 2012
MCS and IFFO back marine mammal and turtle conservation in South America MCS is backing an initiative by one of IFFO’s (the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation) members, the Compa ” “a Pesquera Camanchaca (Camanchaca), which aims to teach fishermen the art of environmental stewardship, better protecting marine animals including dolphins, sea turtles and sharks.
News Plastic debris on the increase in North Pacific
9 May 2012
Recent research from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (published in the journal, Biology Letters) has shown a big rise in the amount of plastic litter floating in Pacific waters - a 100 fold increase over the past 40 years.
News Anglers called on to clean up our coastline
13 Apr 2012
Anglers called on to clean up our coastline MCS welcomes a new initiative from the Angling Trust called the ‘Just Take 5’ campaign.
News Sign up to stop outdoor balloon and sky lantern releases in Wales
6 Mar 2012
Sign up to stop outdoor balloon and sky lantern releases in Wales Council and Leading environmental charities join forces in urging Government to adopt a ‘don’t let go’ policy MCS, Keep Wales Tidy (KWT) and Cardiff Council are supporting pupils from Eco-Schools who are calling on the National Assembly for Wales to ban balloon and sky lantern releases across Wales and eradicate the threat of choking and entanglement among marine wildlife and farm animals.
News Anchovy fishers get educated in protection of marine species
21 Feb 2012
Anchovy fishers get educated in protection of marine species Marine Conservation Society bring together key players to improve fisherman’s stewardship skills Teaching fishermen the art of environmental stewardship is just one of the achievements the MCS has brought about by working with a number of leading players in the Peruvian anchovy fishery.
News Love to eat fish? Romance the seas this Valentines Day and only choose sustainable seafood
13 Feb 2012
Love to eat fish? Romance the seas this Valentines Day and only choose sustainable seafood Marine Conservation Society updates its seafood advice to put consumers in control There’s good news for fish lovers as Valentines Day approaches with a number of new entries to the MCS Fish to Eat list in our popular Good Fish Guide.
News MCS calms fears of Barra Islanders over protection concerns
8 Feb 2012
MCS calms fears of Barra Islanders over protection concerns Support for Sound of Barra as Special Area of Conservation will not result in ‘no take zones’..
News Plastic bag levy in Northern Ireland will rise to 10p in 2014
31 Jan 2012
Plastic bag levy in Northern Ireland will rise to 10p in 2014 5p levy set for introduction in April 2013 Northern Irish Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has announced the introduction of a plastic bag levy in 2013.
News MCS backs Spanish ban on Chinese lantern sales
23 Jan 2012
MCS backs Spanish ban on Chinese lantern sales We’re calling on UK authorities to take similar action to stop damage to environment and harm to wildlife MCS says it’s delighted that Spain has become the latest in a number of countries banning the sale and use of Chinese (sky) lanterns, and wants to see a ban on the manufacture, sale and release of the lanterns in the UK.
News Young loggerhead washed up on Cornish beach is first report of 2012
17 Jan 2012
Young loggerhead washed up on Cornish beach is first report of 2012 Widemouth Bay is final resting place for endangered ocean traveller A small loggerhead turtle discovered dead on a beach near Bude is the first Cornish turtle record of 2012 and could play an important part in finding out more about these long distance ocean travellers.
News Two of the rarest marine turtle species found on a Vale of Glamorgan beach
6 Jan 2012
Two of the rarest marine turtle species found on a Vale of Glamorgan beach Dead turtles found just yards from each other The warm water Kemp’s ridley turtles were reported to MCS after we urged walkers to report sightings of dead or alive turtles, after one was found on a beach in Ceredigion in December.
News Red listed fish on our 'Fish to Avoid' list get the green light to be further overfished
21 Dec 2011
Red listed fish on our ‘Fish to Avoid’ list get the green light to be further overfished MCS appalled as scientific advice gives way to political pressure MCS says the latest decision by European Fisheries Ministers to set the amount of fish able to be caught at numbers exceeding scientifically recommended limits, is a disaster for the future of many fish stocks.
News MCS calms fears of St Mawes sailors
6 Dec 2011
MCS has just returned from a trip to St Mawes Sailing club near Falmouth where local sailors heard why the charity is unhappy with suggestions that mearl beds could be moved temporarily, to allow dredging in Falmouth Harbour to continue as part of the ports ongoing development.
News Falmouth fryer hails cod free week as a runaway success
6 Dec 2011
Falmouth fryer hails cod free week as a runaway success Confrimed cod eaters take the plunge and try sustainable alternatives The owner of Falmouth fish and chip shop, Harbour Lights, says his first cod free week has been a real success, with footfall up and customers happy to try alternative partners to chips.
News Greenest Government ever' claims are seriously undermined as Chancellor calls for EU rules on Habitats to be bent
29 Nov 2011
“Greenest Government ever” claims are seriously undermined as Chancellor calls for EU rules on Habitats to be bent Just a week after moving the goal posts surrounding the designation of Marine Conservation Zones around the UK, the Government has once again called into question its commitment to green issues and conservation by indicating it will water down its implementation of the Habitats Regulations.
News Improved sustainabilty ratings for UK restaurants driven by MCS advice
28 Nov 2011
Improved sustainabilty ratings for UK restaurants driven by MCS advice 27th November 2011 The restaurant-rating organisation Fish2fork has recorded an improvement in sustainability for more than forty five percent of the restaurants it surveys.
News MCS kicks up a stink over number of untreated sewage discharges throughout UK
14 Nov 2011
MCS kicks up a stink over number of untreated sewage discharges throughout UK “New research shows there are thousands more of these discharges in water company ownership than previously thought We have obtained new information from water companies and environmental regulators throughout the UK that reveals, for the first time, the full extent of the problem of discharges of raw sewage to the environment.
News Marine litter on the Rio agenda
4 Nov 2011
Marine litter on the Rio agenda MCS says it’s delighted that the development of a global action plan to combat marine litter and pollution is on the agenda at next years United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil.
News Aquaculture standard sets benchmark
1 Nov 2011
Aquaculture standard sets benchmark MCS has taken part in a new film from the International Fish Oil and Fish Meal Organsation.
News Turtle tracks reveal very different lifestyles
1 Nov 2011
If you’ve not yet signed up to follow our tagged turtles as they travel around the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands - now may be the time to do so, as things hot up!
News Untangling Grassholm's gannets
19 Oct 2011
Untangling Grassholm’s gannets The landscape at Grassholm, with colourful debris and affected gannets visible in foreground (above).
News Marine visitors head to Devon and Cornwall
13 Oct 2011
Marine visitors head to Devon and Cornwall A bright blue prawn and a blenny with a black face are recorded further west than ever before MCS divers have recorded two species of prawn and blenny in Devon and Cornwall for the first time.
News Third report of Portuguese Man o War for 2011 received MCS this week
11 Oct 2011
Third report of Portuguese Man o War for 2011 received MCS this week Three Portuguese Men o War were discovered washed up on Gwynver beach near Sennan Cove in Cornwall over the weekend.
News MCS Seasearch divers discover new sponge species
10 Oct 2011
Seasearch divers find previously unknown species of sponge Encrusting purple creature takes on shape of whatever it covers Diving off the east coast of the UK into the North Sea may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this summer a group of Seasearch divers quite literally chalked up some great finds in an area that gets little attention.
News Report on World Conference on Marine Biodiversity
4 Oct 2011
Politicians must listen to evidence from World Conference on Marine Biodiversity A team from MCS has just returned from the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity in Aberdeen with the message that the incredible research in the field must be used as a basis for change and improvement.
News Seasearch divers discover giant rarity in the Orkney Isles
9 Sep 2011
Seasearch divers discover giant rarity in the Orkney Isles One of only fourteen live fan mussels to be found in UK at Scapa Flow.
News RNLI calls to those rescued from rip currents to help with vital research
25 Aug 2011
RNLI calls to those rescued from rip currents to help with vital research Anyone who has experienced being caught in a rip current is being asked by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to help the charity with important research by completing an online survey about their experience.
News Did pollution warnings make your summer beach experience better?
22 Aug 2011
Did pollution warnings make your summer beach experience better? Over the summer 50 beaches in England and Wales have taken part in a trial to provide beach users with pollution warnings.
News Non-native marine hitchhikers are bad news for UK shore dwellers
17 Aug 2011
Non-native marine hitchhikers are bad news for UK shore dwellers Crabs with hairy pincers, constantly copulating limpets and skeleton shrimps are among some of the strange sights you may see lurking on our shoreline.
News North Sea leak should raise licensing questions
16 Aug 2011
MCS says it welcomes the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Marine Scotland’s decision to let natural processes take their course to disperse the oil leaking from the flow line beneath the Gannet Alpha oil platform, 113 miles (180km) off Aberdeen.
News Endangered Leatherback turtles arrive in UK waters to munch on jellyfish.
10 Aug 2011
Endangered Leatherback turtles arrive in UK waters to munch on jellyfish.
News Hugh's Fish Fight: the battle continues
8 Aug 2011
Hugh’s Fish Fight: the battle continues Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall made a series of programmes, broadcast on national television in January 2011 as part of a “Fish Fight” season.
News HUGE NUMBERS OF JELLYFISH SWARM IN UK'S SUMMER SEAS
21 Jul 2011
HUGE NUMBERS OF JELLYFISH SWARM IN UK’S SUMMER SEAS MCS urges beach goers and sea users to take part in a national survey as barrel, moon, compass, blue and lion’s mane jellyfish swarm in our seas.
News Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)
13 Jul 2011
Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) The future of European fisheries depends on decisions being made now.
News Moon jellyfish blooming in numbers forced the nuclear power station in Torness to close
4 Jul 2011
Moon jellyfish blooming in numbers forced the nuclear power station in Torness to close An enormous bloom of moon jellyfish has clogged up the sea around theTorness nuclear power station on the East Lothian coast.
News Historic Summit Promises a Cleaner Safer Future for Northern Ireland Beaches
4 Jul 2011
Historic Summit Promises a Cleaner Safer Future for Northern Ireland Beaches MCS says positive meeting could result in monumental agreements cleaning up the Province’s coastline As a direct result of the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Good Beach Guide published in May, Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, hosted the first ever ‘Good Beach Summit’ in the Province.
News Waste Review - a wasted opportunity
27 Jun 2011
The Government published its review of waste policy for England in June 2011.
News MCS part of coalition that has turned 400,000 Government workers onto sustainable seafood
17 Jun 2011
MCS part of coalition that has turned 400,000 Government workers onto sustainable seafood MCS says the Government commitment to 100% sustainable fish in its catering for Number 10, Whitehall, Government Departments, prisons and some parts of the armed forces is a vast improvement on it’s earlier target of 60% MCS was one a group of organisations led by Sustain.
News Sustainably farmed seafood holds key to future global food security
14 Jun 2011
MCS says a new report published today shows how important aquaculture is to global food supply, but highlights the need for the industry to develop in a way that minimises environmental impacts.
News MCS says row risks long term future of mackerel fishery
6 Jun 2011
MCS says row risks long term future of mackerel fishery MCS is keen to see a swift and reasonable solution to the current situation in the North-East Atlantic which has resulted in a deadlock over mackerel quotas.
News UK bathing waters on the brink of being cleanest ever
26 May 2011
UK bathing waters on the brink of being cleanest ever MCS demands communities, environmental regulators and water companies to embrace stricter standards In the latest edition of the Good Beach Guide, 461 UK beaches are recommended as having excellent bathing water quality - the third highest number in the Guide’s 24 year history.
News MCS in group of conservation organisations calling for 30% protection of British marine areas
19 May 2011
MCS in group of conservation organisations calling for 30% protection of British marine areas MCS is part of the newly formed Marine Reserves Coalition which has launched a manifesto calling on the British government to commit to establishing an effective network of marine reserves that are fully protected from all potentially damaging activities and that encompasses at least 30 percent of Britain’s marine areas.
News MCS and Prince of Wales at Selfridges "Project Ocean" launch
12 May 2011
MCS and Prince of Wales at Selfridges “Project Ocean” launch “The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) recently published its latest seafood advice, guiding consumers towards making sustainable choices in seafood.
News Don't get the Royal Wedding blues, or reds or yellows - try some balloon alternatives
14 Apr 2011
Don’t get the Royal Wedding blues, or reds or yellows - try some balloon alternatives Marine Conservation Society says protect marine wildlife and ‘Don’t Let Go’ on April 29th With street parties planned to celebrate the nuptials of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is urging revellers not to release balloons as part of the fun because of the dangers they pose to marine wildlife.
News Defra launch review of designated bathing beaches list
29 Mar 2011
Defra launch review of designated bathing beaches list Defra is starting its annual review of the list of designated bathing waters in England.
News Beach lovers will benefit from better information on water quality
29 Mar 2011
Beach lovers will benefit from better information on water quality Beach profiles for bathing waters in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been published by the relevant environmental agency.
News MCS and other NGOs write to Fisheries Minister
22 Mar 2011
MCS and other NGOs write to Fisheries Minister MCS and a number of other NGO’s including WWF, Greenpeace, RSPB, ClientEarth and OCEAN2012, are joint signatories on a letter to Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon, outlining key priorities they have identified with regards to the reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.
News UK Marine Policy Statement published
18 Mar 2011
MCS says it welcomes the first ever UK Marine Policy Statement published today (18th march 2011).
News Public pressure looks to have encouraged early debate on discards
1 Mar 2011
Public pressure looks to have encouraged early debate on discards European ministers are meeting in Brussels today.
News MCS has a unique opportunity for a student looking for a MSc dissertation topic
11 Feb 2011
MCS has a unique opportunity for a student looking for a MSc dissertation topic Would you like to help in the vital work we do to protect our seas, shores and wildlife? MCS Aquaculture Officer, Dawn Purchase, is looking for a student who would like to get involved in a desk based literature review looking at the potential effects of climate change on aquaculture, with particular focus on containment of fish during increased wave energy in UK aqauculture.
News Feeding the Fish of the Future - lets go alternative!
10 Feb 2011
Feeding the Fish of the Future - lets go alternative! MCS is urging the UK aquaculture supply chain, from feed producers to retailers, to cooperate in reducing the heavy reliance on fish oil prevalent in the industry.
News Filling in the Good Beach Guide web survey wins Geoff a West Country break
8 Feb 2011
Filling in the Good Beach Guide web survey wins Geoff a West Country break Taking a few minutes to tell us what he thought about our Good Beach Guide website has won Geoff Willetts a short break on Dartmoor.
News Most underwater photographers are concerned to protect the environment in which they work
31 Jan 2011
Most underwater photographers are concerned to protect the environment in which they take their pictures and to avoid stressing marine creatures when they are taking their images.
News Ayrshire chippy wins MCS sponsored award for it's innovative menus and ideas
27 Jan 2011
Ayrshire chippy wins MCS sponsored award for it’s innovative menus and ideas The Chip Box, based in Stewarton, has been rewarded with a top industry accolade for serving up the perfect catch to it’s customers and offering a wide choice of sustainable fish on it’s menu.
News Jamie's Fish Supper
7 Jan 2011
As part of Channel 4’s Big Fish Fight , Jamie Oliver has been getting hands on with fish and showing us how we can make tasty fish suppers that don’t just involve cod, chips and salt and vinegar.
News Hugh's sustainable seafood feasts
7 Jan 2011
River Cottage guru, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall loves fish.
News Hugh's Big Fish Fight
23 Dec 2010
Hugh’s Big Fish Fight Having highlighted the issues of the rearing, selling and husbandry of chickens to a shocked public three years ago, celebrity chef and River Cottage guru, Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall, takes on a new challenge in 2011 - to focus public attention on the UK’s fishing industry and find out why your fish supper may not be all it appears.
News Seafood season
20 Dec 2010
MCS helps TV chefs encourage the UK to tackle more varied and sustainable fish dishes A week of programmes broadcast on Channel 4 last week was dedicated to catching, eating and cooking fish.
News A winter beach walk - it'll warm your cockles!
6 Dec 2010
A winter beach walk - it’ll warm your cockles! If you’re reading this snuggled up at home, then spare a thought for some of the wildlife living on, and arriving at, our beaches as the cold weather really takes hold! Winter is a great time for looking at wildlife on the beach - especially the wildlife that thrives in chillier weather.
News Seasearch divers have found what could be the world's longest chalk reef off East Anglia
26 Nov 2010
Seasearch divers have found what could be the world’s longest chalk reef off East Anglia Natural ‘Stonehenge’ discovered underwater MCS supporter and Seasearch diver, Rob Spray, has discovered what could be the world’s longest chalk reef off the coast of Norfolk.
News MCS backs Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's discard protest
16 Nov 2010
MCS backs Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s discard protest TV chef wants to see an end to ‘insane’ waste of perfectly edible fish MCS has put its name to a campaign, to be officially launched by River Cottage chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in early 2011, to highlight the much criticised practice of discarding.
News Isle of Man takes protection measures for fishing grounds
26 Oct 2010
Isle of Man takes protection measures for fishing grounds In support of the announcement described in the Isle of Man Government’s press release.
News First Census Shows Life in Planet Ocean to be richer, but more affected by human activities than previously thought
4 Oct 2010
The Annual Review describes some of the key activities and outcomes of the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) work during the year.
April 1st 2015 to 31st March 2016
MCS uses the funds donated by inividuals and organisations wisely, making good use out of every penny. To find out about how funds are spent, the Report and Financial Statements for the year:
April 1st 2015 to 31st March 2016 April 1st 2014 to 31st March 2015 April 1st 2013 to 31st March 2014
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held each year for the purposes of adopting the Annual Accounts and the appointment of auditors. MCS members, who are the Society’s members under company law, are entitled to attend the AGM and vote.
News Sign up now and join thousands of volunteers helping to turn the tide on UK beach litter
19 Jul 2010
Sign up now and join thousands of volunteers helping to turn the tide on UK beach litter The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) urgently needs volunteers to take part in the UK’s biggest beach clean and litter survey which takes place in September.
News Swift action shows that balloon 'Don't Let Go' campaign is vital
15 Jul 2010
Swift action shows that balloon ‘Don’t Let Go’ campaign is vital The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says a swift that fell to earth entangled in a spent balloon and its string, clearly shows the dangers of mass releases seen at many outdoor events during the summer.
News Brother raises money for Marine Conservation Society and urges water companies to be more accountable
10 Jun 2010
Brother raises money for Marine Conservation Society and urges water companies to be more accountable Cycling the UK in memory of sister killed by dirty seawater A man, who’s sister died in 1957 at the age of 6 after contracting polio from swimming in polluted seas, is cycling the length of the UK to raise funds for an environmental charity that continues the work his parents started in her memory.
News Radio 1 beach clean volunteers love the litter
21 May 2010
Radio 1 beach clean volunteers love the litter MCS says it was delighted with the response from students in North Wales who collected 79 bags of rubbish off a beach near Abersoch as part of a innovative volunteering project with BBC Radio 1.
News MCS in new Radio 1 initiative to highlight marine litter issues to students
13 May 2010
MCS in new Radio 1 initiative to highlight marine litter issues to students The Marine Conservation Society has been invited by the BBC to be part of a brand new initiative as part of the 10th BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend.
News Fishing fleet working 17 times harder than 1880s to make same catch
5 May 2010
Fishing fleet working 17 times harder than 1880s to make same catch The UK trawl fishing fleet has to work 17 times harder to catch the same amount of fish today as it did when most of its boats were powered by sail, according to new research.
News MCS is deeply concerned as oil continues to spill into Gulf of Mexico
4 May 2010
MCS is deeply concerned as oil continues to spill into Gulf of Mexico Following the explosion and subsequent sinking of the BP-leased Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico that killed 11 workers over a week ago, MCS says it is increasingly concerned about both the short and the long-term damage the continuing spill of oil will have on the area’s wildlife.
News CHOKING HAZARD - BUT GULLS CAN'T READ
29 Apr 2010
CHOKING HAZARD - BUT GULLS CAN’T READ Our beaches are being overwhelmed with plastic litter.
News Emma set to share her ideas on global beach cleaning
26 Apr 2010
Emma set to share her ideas on global beach cleaning Emma Snowden, from the MCS litter team, is currently in Mexico at the International Coastal Cleanup conference organised by Ocean Conservancy.
News Marine Matters for UK Government
20 Apr 2010
Marine Matters for UK Government The next few years will be critical for the protection of our seas.
News MCS welcomes biggest marine reserve in the world
8 Apr 2010
MCS says it’s thrilled that the UK Government has announced the creation of the largest marine protected area in the world.
News MCS welcomes new marine management body
1 Apr 2010
MCS has welcomed the establishment of the brand new Marine Management Organisation set to operate as the ‘national champion of sustainable development in marine and coastal areas’.
News Bluefin trade ban rejection is missed opportunity says MCS
19 Mar 2010
Following the rejection for a ban on the international trade of bluefin tuna at the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) in Doha, Melissa Pritchard, Fisheries Policy Officer at the Marine Conservation Society says she’s extremely disappointed with the vote “We are disappointed and disgusted that the vote on the CITES appendix 1 listing of the majestic bluefin was defeated this morning.
News MCS supports call to ban trade in Northern Atlantic Bluefin
10 Mar 2010
The Marine Conservation Society reports that the future of one of the most majestic species to make its home in European waters - bluefin tuna - could be decided within days, along with two other highly endangered fish, the spiny dogfish and porbeagle.
News MCS backs call for World's Largest Marine Reserve
5 Mar 2010
The Marine Conservation Society and other leading scientific and conservation organisations from around the world have been joined by more than 250,000 people calling on the UK government to establish a protected area in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which is made up of the Chagos Islands and its surrounding waters.
News MCS shows Minister Lundy at its best
5 Mar 2010
MCS has taken Fisheries Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies on a day trip to Lundy Island to see England’s only Marine Conservation Zone first hand.
News MCS rallies support in Marine Conservation Zone talks
2 Mar 2010
The Marine Conservation Society has found three highly qualified individuals who will be able to represent MCS at meetings to help plan new marine protected areas in the Northeast of England .
News MCS helps protect Welsh waters from damaging scallop dredging.
1 Mar 2010
The Marine Conservation Society has been involved in securing a groundbreaking agreement from the Welsh Assembly Government to restrict scallop dredging from current Welsh Marine Protected Areas.
News Throw away culture makes sea of plastic
26 Feb 2010
A mid ocean floating plastic dump, that’s just been discovered in the Atlantic, has been labelled a sad indictment of our throw away culture and a potential menace to marine wildlife and humans, by MCS.
News Fish food for thought
24 Feb 2010
MCS Aquaculture Office, Dawn Purchase, has told the EU Fisheries Commission in Brussels that environmental sustainability is not a barrier to industry growth.
News The UK Marine and Coastal Access Act
30 Nov -0001
The UK Marine & Coastal Access Act The UK Marine & Coastal Access Act commits the UK to an ambitious approach to managing the marine environment that will include establishing Marine Conservation Zones, a Marine Planning system, inshore fisheries reform, streamlining of licensing, establishment of a Marine Management Organisation (for England and UK matters) and coastal access provisions.
News Court hearing over a licence to pollute
30 Nov -0001
Court hearing over a licence to pollute Six of the biggest water companies in England and Wales are launching a legal appeal against the Environment Agency which has sought to impose licenses on 4,193 combined sewer overflows (CSO), 20 years after Parliament was promised that these sewage pipes would be properly licensed.