Latest news items…
News Experts back 'latte levy' in Scotland
18 Jul 2019
A panel of environmental experts in Scotland has recommended putting a charge on each disposable coffee cup - a ‘latte levy’ - to help cut down on waste. The panel advised introducing a national, mandatory requirement to sell drinks and disposable cups separately to include an initial minimum price of between 20-25p per cup.
News Environment Secretary says he supports fully inclusive Deposit Return Scheme.
17 Jul 2019
MCS has welcomed a public show of support from the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, for a fully inclusive Deposit Return Scheme. He said he personally backed a scheme which which included plastic, glass, cans and cartons of all sizes. But although warm words are encouraging, what’s needed is urgent government action says MCS Director of Programmes.
News No butts when it comes to filters say MCS and ASH Scotland
11 Jul 2019
MCS and ASH Scotland have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, telling her that cigarette filters must not be left out of Scotland’s plastics debate any longer.
News MCS and clothing brand, Mint Velvet, join forces in ocean partnership
4 Jul 2019
British womenswear retailer, Mint Velvet, has chosen MCS as one of its charities to support. The collaboration will focus on reducing single-use plastic in the retailers online supply chain. Mint Velvet have launched an exclusive jewellery piece to mark the partnership with 100% of the profits from the sale being donated to the charity.
News Cod crisis – North Sea cod numbers fall to critically low levels
28 Jun 2019
MCS has joined ClientEarth and WWF in calling on UK governments to introduce emergency measures to secure the future of North Sea cod. The call comes after marine scientists say species numbers are at dangerously low levels, putting the future of the fishery in doubt.
News MCS backs challenge to illegal management of Dogger Bank
24 Jun 2019
MCS is one of a number of NGO’s calling on the European Commission to challenge the Netherlands, the UK and Germany over a proposed management plan for the Dogger Bank. The NGOs are challenging the “incomprehensible” proposal to allow illegal fishing activities in the North Sea nature reserve.
News Gove urged to rethink 'unlawful' move on wildlife protections
24 Jun 2019
Now that Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, has been eliminated from the Conservative leadership contest, MCS is asking him to focus urgently on reversing what we believe is an unlawful move by the government.
News Cargo spill results in world-wide trainer wash-up
21 Jun 2019
Beachcombers from Cornwall to Orkney have been picking up hundreds of pairs of unworn trainers and flip flops after a container ship lost some of its cargo in stormy seas.
News MCS and ClientEarth legal challenge to Brexit powers over wildlife risk
20 Jun 2019
MCS has joined forces with environmental lawyers, ClientEarth, to launch a High Court challenge to the UK government’s Brexit laws, over sweeping new powers that may weaken protection for seas and wildlife and breach promises of a “green Brexit”.
News Can you detox your plastic life and smash the Plastic Challenge?
20 Jun 2019
Our annual Plastic Challenge, where we throw down the gauntlet and encourage the nation to try and go single-use plastic free during July, is right around the corner. 9,000 people gave it a go in 2018 - will you join them this year? There’s no such thing as failing, it’s the taking part that counts!
News Highly Protected status review must result in action
10 Jun 2019
Just a week after Michael Gove expanded England and Northern Ireland’s network of Marine Conservation Zones with 41 new areas, the Environment Secretary has now announced a review to examine whether and how the strongest protections for areas of sea, Highly Protected Marine Areas, could be introduced. They’re the most effective tool for marine wildlife recovery and this review must result in action say MCS experts.
News Five threats to the ocean and how you can help
7 Jun 2019
Our oceans give us so much – food, energy, oxygen, a place of work and a place of adventure - without them we couldn’t survive, but they are also being pushed to the point of catastrophe by human activity.
News Four new Scottish marine protected areas considered
7 Jun 2019
Some of Scotland’s most iconic ocean species could face additional protections under proposals for four new marine protected areas (MPAs), proposed by Scottish Government today.
News Celebrating our supporters this #VolunteersWeek
4 Jun 2019
Most charities rely heavily on volunteers and MCS is no different. Since our small beginnings over 35 years ago in a garden shed, volunteers have been our life-blood. From just a handful of like-minded people our volunteer base is now in the thousands – and we couldn’t function without them!
News 41 new Marine Conservation Zones created
31 May 2019
MCS says it welcomes the designation of 41 new MCZs but warns that proper investment in their management and monitoring must be made if they are to benefit both people and wildlife. Creating them is just half the job.
News Leading retailers not embracing wet wipe ‘flushability’ standard
30 May 2019
New MCS research reveals 10 retailer, own-brand ‘flushable’ wet wipes can’t carry the new ‘Fine to Flush’ logo because they’re unflushable. So far, some retailers have started testing, some are planning to test, whilst some haven’t yet decided to test their wipes against the new water industry standard.
News Native oysters heading back to European waters
22 May 2019
15 European countries have agreed to develop a ‘blueprint’ for native oyster reef restoration at a conference in Edinburgh. Native oysters were wiped out by overfishing as much as a century ago from seas around countries including Sweden, France, Germany, England, Wales, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Croatia and Scotland.
News New rules on sales of some single-use items in England announced
22 May 2019
New measures covering the sale of plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton bud sticks will come into force in England next April. Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, said a recent consultation revealed “overwhelming” public support for the move. MCS Head of Clean Seas, Dr Laura Foster, says further action by retailers and government is now required to reflect the changing public mood.
News Damaged Scottish reef gets permanent protection
20 May 2019
Loch Carron on Scotland’s north west coast has been granted permanent Marine Protected Area’ status. Its flameshell and maerl beds will now be allowed to recover after scallop dredging damaged the area in 2017. MCS hopes this will be a springboard to urgently needed improvements to fisheries management and protection of all Scotland’s inshore waters.
News Overwhelming support for Bottles For Change
14 May 2019
The 12-week consultation on the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has now closed and our Bottles For Change campaign gathered tremendous public support to introduce the best system possible.
News Ocean policy promises hit rough seas
10 May 2019
The UK’s failure to protect and restore our seas has been condemned by Environment Links UK, a major coalition of conservation and environmental groups, including the Marine Conservation Society.
News Scotland announces all-in DRS as MCS urges Gove and Welsh Government to follow suit
8 May 2019
The Scottish Government has confirmed the country’s Deposit Return Scheme will include glass, cans and some plastic containers - tetrapaks and pouches aren’t initially included. MCS has called on Michael Gove to introduce the same in England and urged Welsh Local Authorities not to resist a similar scheme
News Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds inspires classroom learning
2 May 2019
Norfolk’s Marine Conservation Zone has been brought to life with salty tales and beach trips for a nearby primary school. As part of the MCS led Agents of Change project, fishermen visited the school, whilst the pupils carried out beach cleaning and lug worm digging - all within a stones throw of Europe’s most extensive chalk reef.
News Overwhelming Scottish support for glass bottle returns
27 Apr 2019
A poll for MCS has revealed that people in Scotland want to see glass bottles included in a Deposit Return Scheme even more than plastic ones. Some sections of UK industry have been resisting the inclusion of glass bottles. MCS says ministers must listen to consumers instead of those in industry with vested interests.
News MCS tells leading supermarkets – don't de-rail ‘all-in’ DRS
18 Apr 2019
Sandy Luk, CEO of MCS, has told the heads of the UK’s top ten supermarkets that they must support a comprehensive ‘all in’ Deposit Return Scheme for drinks bottles and cans and warns ministers not to give in to behind-the-scenes lobbying, which could be a death sentence for marine life. Her warning comes as MCS launches its #BottlesforChange campaign.
News Olympic find at Cramond clean
11 Apr 2019
Over 100 wet wipes were picked up by MCS volunteer beach cleaners from a 100m stretch of Cramond beach near Edinburgh. But one of the most startling finds was a Coca Cola can from 1988 – supporting the Olympics, held that year in Seoul, South Korea.
News Plans to protect at least 30% of international waters revealed
4 Apr 2019
A network of marine reserves could be rolled out across the high seas to protect wildlife hotspots and save species from extinction says a new report. Protection for 30% of international is a target scientists say is needed to conserve wildlife and tackle climate change.
News Helping children sea-weed differently
4 Apr 2019
MCS has created a programme to bring a vital, yet often overlooked and misunderstood part of our coast to life for seven to eleven-year olds. Seaweed is so much more than slippery, slimy, smelly stuff.
News Single-use plastics ban across EU member states by 2021
28 Mar 2019
The European parliament has approved a new law banning single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws and cotton buds sticks. Member states must also reach a 90% collection target for plastic bottles by 2029, and plastic bottles will have to contain at least 25% of recycled content by 2025 and 30% by 2030.
News Military sonar affects whales even at long distance, study finds
22 Mar 2019
Sonar technology used in British military activities is shown to have a clear and sudden impact on beaked whales over 25 miles away from its source.
News Celebrity chef, Cyrus Todiwala, becomes MCS Ocean Ambassador
20 Mar 2019
Restaurateur, TV chef, and sustainability campaigner, Cyrus Todiwala, has joined MCS as an Ocean Ambassador. The Chef Patron of Café Spice Nemaste says we must take precautions to leave a good legacy behind with an abundance of fish. He joins a long line of high profile MCS Ambassadors including Deborah Meaden, Chris Packham and Simon Reeve.
News No UK fisheries go ‘green’ in latest Good Fish Guide ratings
14 Mar 2019
Our latest seafood ratings update reveals not one single UK fishery has moved off the Good Fish Guide ‘Fish to Avoid’ list and none have moved on to the green rated, Best Choice, list either. Despite improvement in fisheries management over the last decade – progress seems to have stalled.
News Ascension – reserve gives lasting protection to marine wilderness
14 Mar 2019
MCS is among conservationists welcoming the creation of the largest fully protected marine reserve in the Atlantic around Ascension Island. The protection will safeguard green turtles, swordfish, sharks, tuna, marlin, frigatebirds and terns.
News Microplastics found in reef-dwellers off Scotland’s west coast
11 Mar 2019
Fragments of fishing equipment and microplastics have been found inside animals living on Scotland’s only inshore deep-water coral reef. It highlights the massive challenge of preventing plastic getting into the ocean, and of trying to remove what’s already there.
News Conservation Heroes - Capturing the deep
8 Mar 2019
On International Women’s Day - we’re celebrating one woman who’s underwater photography was featured in our recent membership magazine on underwater heroes.
News World Ocean Summit – need for speed
8 Mar 2019
A three-day conference in Abu Dhabi to confront issues of pollution, overfishing and climate change in the world’s oceans has ended with experts saying the move from talk to action needs to be accelerated – but there is cause for cautious optimism.
News The UK’s best beaches revealed from TripAdvisor reviews
4 Mar 2019
The ten best British beaches have been announced in the Travellers’ Choice Awards. From the Isle of Harris to Cornwall, Pembrokeshire to Norfolk, expanses of golden sands to cleanliness and family friendliness. Is your favourite in the Top 10?
News Five sharks found in UK waters
3 Mar 2019
Celebrate some of the ocean’s most captivating – and often misunderstood – creatures, sharks! Sharks aren’t just great whites and hammerheads – did you know there are more than 400 known species of shark in the world?
News Entries open for the Scilly Kayak Challenge
28 Feb 2019
We’re running our sixth Kayak Challenge this year, around the magical and magnificent Scilly Isles.
News Sussex behaviour project gets cash boost
25 Feb 2019
A project, in which MCS is one of five partners, has received cash support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Sussex by the Sea Partnership will look at how human behaviours that have found to be contributing to the decline of marine life off the Sussex coast can be positively changed.
News River Thames - polluted by single-use items
21 Feb 2019
A series of river cleans, carried out by MCS and Thames21, along the Thames and its tributaries has revealed that more than 80% of litter found in the UK’s most iconic river, and 78% on its tributaries, was made up of single-use items such as metal drink cans, food packaging and plastic drinks bottles.
News Sturgeon - reusable sanitary products will tackle pollution in Scottish seas
20 Feb 2019
A campaign to promote reusable sanitary products has been announced by Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, as part of moves to protect the marine environment. MCS Beachwatch data shows Scotland’s beaches have double the national average of litter that’s wrongly flushed down toilets.
News Ocean optimism at London Fashion Week
18 Feb 2019
Fashion and multimedia designers VIN + OMI have debuted their eco-fashion show ‘Planet Rewind’ at London Fashion Week. Bags and belts from the collection and proceeds made from their sale are being donated to MCS in a fish meets fashion collaboration.
News Deposit Return Scheme consultation launched
18 Feb 2019
The government must not capitulate to industry pressure pushing for a less than adequate deposit return system warns MCS expert. Consumers should get their money back on all sizes and materials of bottles and cans. From today the public can have it’s say on what a scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland should look like.
News Team Status Row – Home and Dry!
12 Feb 2019
Massive congratulations to Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challengers, Team Status Row, who have taken on and finished the world’s toughest row! Susan, Jess and Caroline have been raising funds for MCS and the profile of ocean plastic. It’s been a roller-coaster - physically, emotionally and mechanically.
News Lords Environment committee criticises Government failure to monitor fish caught under discard ban
8 Feb 2019
A report published today by the House of Lords is highly critical of government failure in implementing EU rules for the UK fishing industry, which have been designed to reduce the quantity of fish caught and wasted by being thrown back at sea, known as the landing obligation.
News Seal pups threatened by ‘nurdles’ used to make plastic items
8 Feb 2019
Researchers say that seal pup hotspots are being threatened by some of the estimated 53 billion nurdles that end up in our oceans each year.
News Scotland to increase carrier bag levy and place charge on disposable drinks cups
4 Feb 2019
With Brexit all over the parliamentary agenda at Westminster, it’s almost gone unnoticed that the Scottish Government’s budget deal has included a commitment to increase Scotland’s carrier bag charge to 10p and an agreement ‘in principle’ to putting a new charge on disposable drinks cups.
News Spanish government to give final go-ahead to enlarge Cabrera National Park
1 Feb 2019
Spain is to create the second-largest marine national park in the Mediterranean, south of Mallorca. It will protect marine life at risk of extinction. MCS MPA expert says this new expansion is important in terms of scale, level of protection, and what it protects.
News Earth’s last great wilderness
1 Feb 2019
The kelp forests that wrap around the UK coast are an underwater wilderness facing a crisis. The growing market for products containing kelp could result in their decimation. Could farming it be the answer?
News Salt and vinegar on your shark and chips?
1 Feb 2019
Chippies are selling endangered species of shark to unsuspecting consumers, a new study says. MCS has highlighted the issue of spiny dogfish being served up as rock salmon in the past. Needless to say, it’s red rated by us on the Good Fish Guide.
News Scientists find plastic in 100% of marine mammals examined from UK waters
31 Jan 2019
A study of dolphins, seals and whales washed up on UK shores found plastic in the digestive system of every one of them. It shows the omnipresence of this pollution and why we must reduce our usage says MCS pollution expert.
News Assembly Members try out deposit return machine
30 Jan 2019
MCS has taken a Reverse Vending Machine into the Senedd to give Assembly Members the opportunity to see how a deposit return scheme could work and explain the impact putting value on bottles and cans could have on reducing plastic pollution in Welsh seas.
News Microplastics cause mussels to lose their grip
29 Jan 2019
A new study shows that microplastics are affecting the ability of mussels to attach themselves to their surroundings – potentially having a devastating impact on ocean ecosystems as well as a worldwide industry worth between 3-4 billion US dollars per year.
News Mixed picture of environmental ambition from England’s water companies
29 Jan 2019
New scorecards, analysing how successful English water company plans for the next five years are likely to be in protecting and improving the environment, have revealed a mixed picture in terms of ambitions.
News Penzance chippy lands sustainable Good Catch Award
24 Jan 2019
A Cornish chippy that has only been trading for just over three years has landed the prestigious Good Catch Award for sustainability at the 2019 National Fish and Chip Awards. The MCS-sponsored award recognises sustainable sourcing in the chip shop industry.
News ‘Fine to Flush’ logo launched to fight fatbergs
11 Jan 2019
Consumers will soon be able to buy wet wipes bearing an official water industry symbol and be confident their purchase has passed strict scientific tests. The ‘Fine to flush’ logo will eliminate customer confusion that results in millions being spent on sewer blockages every year.
News 5 tips for sustainable seafood this Christmas
20 Dec 2018
The Christmas tree doesn’t have to be the only thing that’s green in your household this Christmas. As well as ditching the plastic straw with your Christmas cocktail, or using recycled paper to wrap presents, choosing sustainably sourced green rated seafood can make for a truly ocean conscious Christmas.
Here are some tips for making the most sustainable choices for festive fish favourites this Christmas:
News Mixed bag for final EU Council meeting on fishing limits for the UK
19 Dec 2018
The last fisheries December council negotiations in the EU before the UK leaves have just come to a close. The discussions lead to catch limits being set for the coming year and are meant to lead to sustainable management of fisheries, but just like previous years, a real mixed bag of agreements have been reached on the quantities of fish that can be caught by EU national fishing fleets next year.
News EU agrees unprecedented cuts to single-use plastics
19 Dec 2018
After months of intense negotiations, the EU has agreed much-anticipated laws to slash single-use plastics in the EU.
News Government Waste and Resources Strategy 'will make recycling easier’
18 Dec 2018
The Government has released its new Waste and Resources Strategy. Michael Gove says it will make recycling easier, but although a deposit return scheme will be consulted on, among other fresh recycling plans, there are too few measures to address the continued production of single use plastic items.
News Keep the FOG monster at bay this Christmas
17 Dec 2018
Fatbergs in UK sewers cost water companies (and their customers) millions of pounds to remove. But we can all help fight the bergs by not putting fats, oils and greases down the drain and keep the festive FOG monster at bay.
News Join our research in the Maldives and Oman
7 Dec 2018
Manta rays, whitetip reef sharks, and large swirling schools of snapper all frequent the coral filled waters of the Maldives below the vast shadows of whale sharks. Even humphead wrasse make an appearance. Our frequently surveyed site Rasdhoo Madivaru coral reef, is known to be the only Maldives location for scalloped hammerhead sharks (though we haven’t spotted them yet).
News Microplastics present in all marine turtles examined in new study
6 Dec 2018
Researchers have found microplastic in the digestive systems of every turtle examined in a study. They say that, while the effects of the plastics are not known, they could harm turtles in several ways.
News Sporting venues team up to show single-use plastics the red card
3 Dec 2018
A dozen sporting bodies and venues have met to look at ways to eliminate single-use plastic from their match-day and non-match day operations. Representatives from sports including tennis, football, cricket and athletics were at Lord’s to discuss the challenges, hear from sector trailblazers and look at how collaborations within the sector could result in single-use plastic free events.
News Billions of nanoplastic particles seep into mollusc organs within six hours
3 Dec 2018
Shocking new research reveals how billions of tiny plastic particles become distributed throughout the major organs of an important marine mollusc after just six hours of exposure. This is yet more evidence that systems like deposit return schemes must be implemented, says MCS expert.
News Record breaking Great British Beach Clean and survey - results
29 Nov 2018
Our Great British Beach Clean 2018 was the biggest mass participation beach clean and survey event the UK has ever witnessed and re-emphasised the shocking amounts of plastic litter on UK beaches. Plus, with an average of 16 glass and plastic bottles and drinks cans found per every 100 metres of beach surveyed, shows the need for a comprehensive Deposit Return System in the UK.
News 12 tips for a plastic-free Christmas
27 Nov 2018
Start your New Year’s Resolutions this side of the festive season and follow these 12 tips for a plastic-free Christmas!
News "Status Quo" for Scottish salmon farming not an option report finds
27 Nov 2018
MCS welcomes the launch today of the long awaited findings of the Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) Committee on the future of salmon farming in Scotland.
News Vote to protect Scotland's kelp today a victory for people power
21 Nov 2018
During the final stage of the Crown Estate (Scotland) Bill progressing through the Scottish Parliament today, Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) voted to ban the removal of entire kelp plants from Crown Estate seabed for commercial use. However concerns were raised over the legitimate level of protection due to the lack of definition of the term ‘commercial use’ and the loosely defined nature of the amendments put forward.
News Proposals to dredge Scottish kelp forests would be conservation calamity
20 Nov 2018
MCS and other Scottish conservationists are outraged by plans to dredge kelp forests off the country’s coast. It’s not the only problem facing kelp, as new research says kelp forests in the UK and further afield will function differently as waters warm.
News 97.9% of English bathing waters meet minimum water quality standards
19 Nov 2018
The latest results on the state of English coastal and inland bathing waters reveals 281 out of 420 tested have reached the ‘excellent’ standard of the Bathing Water Directive, whilst just nine have been labelled ‘poor’.
News Wetwipes are flushable? No they're not!
13 Nov 2018
New research, commissioned by the water industry but carried out independently, puts paid to the notion that wetwipes can be flushed down the loo. The findings show that, despite many wipes on supermarket shelves being commonly labelled and sold as flushable, their claims of flushability are misleading the public. All wet wipes sold as “flushable” in the UK have so far failed the water industry’s disintegration tests.
News Single-use. Is the 2018 word of the year the new taboo?
7 Nov 2018
An independent study has found that nearly six in 10 Brits believe single-use plastic will become socially unacceptable by 2021. It’s no surprise as ‘single-use’ is the Collins Word of the Year – but 64% of those questioned say they still buy or accept single-use plastics multiple times a week.
News Salmon farms could face closure under strict new rules
7 Nov 2018
Medicines used at Scottish salmon farms are more widely spread around sites than had previously been found and are having a significant impact on marine environment. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency says tighter regulations to protect marine life are needed – something MCS has been calling for, for some time.
News NEW Good Fish Finger Guide launched
2 Nov 2018
We’ve launched the Good Fish Finger Guide today and there are some surprising findings. Some brands are more sustainable than fresh fish, with 85% of fish in the fingers we investigated coming from green rated ‘Best Choice’ sources when matched with our Good Fish Guide ratings.
News Government proposes better monitoring of fishing vessels
30 Oct 2018
Our marine wildlife is under threat – whether it’s climate change, habitat damage, overfishing or pollution, there’s danger around every corner for the species and habitats of the ocean. It seems these threats are only getting worse, something must be done, and quickly, before the effects of our damaging activities are deemed irreversible.
News Charity advent calendar launched to benefit marine conservation
29 Oct 2018
The countdown to Christmas will soon begin and we are very excited to talk about the brand new Advent of Change charity advent calendar.
News Eco- moorings project could result in seagrass recovery
25 Oct 2018
Five traditional moorings at Cawsands Bay in Devon have gone eco in a collaboration between MCS, the National Marine Aquarium and Princess Yachts. The ‘helical’ moorings have been shown to allow seagrass beds to recover after damage caused by mooring methods using chains dragged along the seabed.
News Government's Post-Brexit plans for fisheries published
25 Oct 2018
The highly anticipated new Fisheries Bill has been released by Defra today, which sets out how UK fisheries will be managed after we leave the EU.
News How will climate change impact the UK's marine life?
22 Oct 2018
You might have seen the latest news on global warming; findings released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warn how we are completely off track in preventing the world’s global temperature from rising by 2C, or even by 1.5C, by the year 2100.
News Plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds could be banned within a year
22 Oct 2018
The Environment Secretary Michael Gove has launched a consultation which could result in plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds being banned from sale within a year. But MCS CEO, Sandy Luk, says action is needed much more widely than on just these three items if the spread of global pollution is to be addressed.
News The UK must better protect harbour porpoises - court ruling
19 Oct 2018
The European Court of Justice has ruled the UK has failed to propose a sufficient number of special areas of conservation for harbour porpoises under EU legislation. MCS marine protection expert says ability to designate Marine Protected Areas over decades has been missed.
News Groundbreaking project returns oysters to their original habitat
12 Oct 2018
Native oysters Ostrea edulis were common in the Dornoch Firth until they were fished to extinction over a hundred years ago. Now, as a partner in the Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project (DEEP, with Heriot-Watt University and Glenmorangie) we are helping to return the oyster beds here to their natural state.
News I volunteer - Giving time to the ocean
9 Oct 2018
As the Seasearch dive programme reaches its 30-year milestone, Beachwatch tops 25 years and Capturing our Coast completes its planned three-year run, we celebrate the army of volunteers, past and present
News Our latest seafood ratings are published today
3 Oct 2018
Do you really know where you stand when it comes to choosing seafood? The latest version of the MCS Good Fish Guide is online today using our simple 5-step rating system to identify fish sustainability-where 1 is a Best Choice and 5 is a Fish to Avoid. But there’s always a catch - so we’re urging consumers to use the Guide to help get the full sustainability story
News Let’s ban single-use plastics says Liz Bonnin
1 Oct 2018
The presenter of BBC1’s ‘Drowning In Plastic’ documentary (BBC1 tonight 8.30pm), has called for a ban on single-use plastics in the UK. The programme investigates the effect plastic material is having on marine animals and the extent of the problem of polluted seas.
News Blue Planet II's lasting legacy
28 Sep 2018
BBC One returns to marine conservation this autumn with another big documentary, presented by biologist Liz Bonnin, on the effects of plastic on marine life. Meet Commissioning Editor Craig Hunter.
News Today is National Refill Day!
27 Sep 2018
On the first ever National Refill Day, John Lewis and Morrisons have become the latest high street chains to sign up to provide free drinking water for everybody, whilst Heathrow has also signed up to the ‘Refill’ scheme. There are now 12,000 locations across the UK offering free water fill-ups without a paid-for purchase.
News No major concerns for Benny the beluga
26 Sep 2018
A beluga whale has been spotted thousands of miles from its usual Arctic home pottering around in the Thames near Gravesend in Kent for the second day running. Rescue teams are on standby but animal welfare experts say it’s “swimming strongly and feeding normally” and on Wednesday afternoon said there were no major concerns for its welfare.
News UK backs protection for 30% of world's oceans
25 Sep 2018
As countries meet at the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss ocean conservation, the UK is expected to take a historic stand for marine protection. But MCS experts say ambition needs to start at home - 30% of our seas as paper parks will never lead to ocean recovery.
News Will you explore our blue planet with us?
21 Sep 2018
Seasearch trains divers to record marine species and habitats around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. But you don’t have to be a SCUBA diver to get involved. How so? You can carry out Seasearch recording while snorkelling!
News Thank you for taking part in the Great British Beach Clean 2018!
18 Sep 2018
We’d like to say a super-massive “thank you” to everyone who got out on to a beach over the weekend to take part in the Great British Beach Clean. Your support is amazing and not only leaves the beaches cleaner but provides us with the data to push for change.
News Waitrose to remove loose fruit and veg bags and 5p single use carriers
15 Sep 2018
Customers will no longer be able to pop loose fruit and veg into plastic bags or pick up a 5p single use carrier bag at Waitrose from spring 2019. The supermarket says the move will save 134 million plastic bags - the equivalent of 500 tonnes of plastic a year.
News Great British Beach Clean off to a flyer
14 Sep 2018
The MCS annual nationwide beach clean event has kicked off with thousands of volunteers expected at over 60 cleans on the first of four days of beach cleans and surveys. It’s hoped at least 10,000 volunteers will attend over 400 cleans around the UK over the weekend. One of the first cleans was at Gosport where a Government minister and members of the HMS Sultan Defence College all took part.
News Defra not ready for no-deal Brexit
12 Sep 2018
A report by the National Audit Office (NAO), which scrutinises public spending for Parliament, evaluates public spending and helps government improve public services says that, while Defra has made “good” progress in preparing to Exit the EU, the department “is now not able to deliver everything it originally intended for a ‘no-deal’ exit.” MCS says that there is now a real danger that some key environmental legislation and policies will be lower on the priority list for the department.
News It’s the last straw at Jenners as ‘Slurper’ pays a visit!
8 Sep 2018
We’ve changed last year’s “wet wipe” monster - which highlighted the dangers of flushing wet wipes - into this year’s “straw” monster to help show why the millions of straws that are given away are causing a massive threat to our oceans. Slurper is currently visiting iconic Edinburgh store, Jenners, who have already started to reduce the number of single use items in their cafes.
News Paris talks fail to finalise deal to end English Channel scallop wars
8 Sep 2018
Industry leaders say they have been unable to agree a compensation package to bring an end to hostilities over scallops in the English Channel. It follows talks to try and finalise a deal between British and French fishermen in Paris yesterday. Captains of small British boats had voluntarily agreed not to forage in the disputed Baie de Seine until a deal was struck. Whether this voluntary action will remain is unclear. Further talks could take place next week.
News MCS response to Scotland’s Programme for Government 2018-19
6 Sep 2018
With Scotland home to 61% of UK seas, and marine conservation and fisheries being devolved matters, plans by the Scottish Government have the potential to contribute greatly to UK marine conservation. Here, MCS Head of Conservation Scotland Calum Duncan welcomes commitments in the Scottish Government’s latest Programme for Government 2018-19…
News Progress to end scallop wars
6 Sep 2018
A deal in principle has been reached to end the scallop wars in the English Channel following lengthy discussions between British and French fisherman. But, the finalised agreement hinges on a “reasonable compensation package” for smaller British boats to be discussed in Paris meaning the deal could still be sunk.
News Lord Peter Melchett: Obituary
5 Sep 2018
We are to report the sad news that Lord Peter Melchett, a long standing supporter of the Marine Conservation Society as well as a high profile campaigner and well-known advocate for environmental causes, has passed away at the age of 71.
News Endurance swimmer completes swim for better marine protection
29 Aug 2018
Lewis Pugh has completed a wild swim along the length of the English Channel as part of his campaign to get 30% of the world’s oceans to be protected. Pugh says he’s angry that waters set aside as conservation zones in the UK have little protection.
News British and French fishing boats clash in Channel as ‘scallop war’ erupts
29 Aug 2018
Rocks,and other projectiles are reported to have been thrown at English and Scottish vessels during a confrontation with French fishing boats in the English Channel. It’s an escalation of the long-running dispute over a scallop-rich area of the Channel that French fishermen are prevented from fishing due to domestic environmental laws.
News A big marine conservation night out at the museum
28 Aug 2018
A big marine conservation night out at the museum. The MCS AGM will be held as part of this event. Glenmorangie are sponsoring this event and will provide a taste of whisky. Meal included.
News Plastic bag tax - to be increased and extended say reports
25 Aug 2018
Reports in several of today’s papers suggest the Prime Minister is set to announce the plastic bag charge is to be extended to all shops. Up until now, small businesses with fewer than 250 staff have been exempt in England. It’s also expected that Mrs May will consult on in increasing the charge from 5p to 10p
News Did you know we clean rivers too?
24 Aug 2018
Waitrose has donated £500,000 from its carrier bag funds to MCS allowing us to put on more beach clean-ups and mobilise larger numbers of volunteers than ever before. And it’s led to a partnership with river charity Thames21 to investigate the link between river rubbish and beach litter.
News Volunteers needed for the Big Seaweed Search
24 Aug 2018
Looking for something to do this bank holiday? We need volunteers to help us unlock the secrets of British seaweeds.
News How the snapping shrimp developed its snap
24 Aug 2018
Several kinds of shrimp can snap their claws to make a seriously loud sonic burst. New research suggests that the various shrimp species have evolved their snapping abilities separately.
News Pebble theft creates ripples in Cornwall
23 Aug 2018
The story of a holidaymaker, told to return stolen pebbles to Crackington Haven beach to avoid a fine, has emerged amongst complaints of heavy-handed signage threatening prosecution at the Cornish beach. The practice is actually illegal under the Coastal Protection Act 1949 and highlights our message to “take only memories, leave only footprints.”
News Sea monsters - The whale, lost in translation
17 Aug 2018
Terror and punishment (and eventually rebirth) are synonyms of “the sea-monster”, ready to swallow you whole, and trap you in a dark and wet stomach/dungeon. But how did a highly intelligent, social, docile marine mammal join the undesired club of mean marine horrors?
News Back the blue belt
17 Aug 2018
The Great British Oceans coalition channelled the flood of public concern inspired by Blue Planet II towards actions to protect four million km2 of ocean around the British Overseas Territories by 2020.
News Seawater temperature off San Diego hits all time high
16 Aug 2018
Scientists have recorded sea temperatures at an all-time high earlier this month and say that between 1982 and 2016, the number of marine heatwaves in the oceans have roughly doubled. Experts suggest the trend will only further accelerate with global warming.
News Brits are concerned about effects of marine pollution - new research
15 Aug 2018
Students from the University of Hull have staged a placard protest to raise awareness of their latest research. It found 92% of people admitted to being concerned about the negative impact that plastic pollution in the oceans will have on future generations.
News Plastic found inside washed up sea turtle
14 Aug 2018
A leatherback sea turtle has washed up on a beach in Cornwall with plastic in her stomach.
News We're tracking the secret lives of teenage sea turtles
10 Aug 2018
We are deploying four new satellite tags on teenage turtles in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Knowledge of their mysterious, epic journeys will reveal vital information: where they need protection
News Litter levels rise across England – new KBT report
8 Aug 2018
The latest Keep Britain Tidy report reveals litter has become worse across England since the last survey in 2014/15 with smoking litter, confectionery packaging, soft drinks containers and fast food packaging in the top four littered items - yet again.
News 30 Sperm Whales dead, but why?
7 Aug 2018
Thirty of the ocean’s largest predators, dead. A mass stranding of Sperm Whales, Physeter macrocephalus, in 2016, has led to one of the most extensive investigations of a Sperm Whale mortality event ever, with twenty-seven of the thirty whales examined. The results are out.
News Brexit spells big trouble for the Welsh fishing industry
5 Aug 2018
As with the rest of the UK, the main issues in Wales are access to water, sharing of quota and tariffs. But, unlike the rest of the UK, the impact of Brexit on trade flows could be dramatic.
News Everything you ever needed to know about fisheries
3 Aug 2018
We are currently going through the most significant legislative reform of the past 40 years; exactly how this will impact fisheries is unclear. There may be much to gain but also… so much to lose.
News Measures will miss 2020 clean and healthy seas target says European Commission
1 Aug 2018
Clean seas, plastic free beaches and an end to overfishing by 2020 are unlikely to be achieved by Member States because the measure they’ve put in place are weak, says a report from the European Commission.
News Dramatic drop in carrier bag use as charges now the 'norm'
28 Jul 2018
Campaigners, including MCS, say charges for throwaway coffee cups and plastic drinks bottles must be brought in as new evidence reveals a dramatic drop in carrier bag use since 5p charges were introduced. Estimates suggest that seven leading supermarkets issued 7.6 billion single-use bags in 2014 dropping to just over a billion in 2017-18.
News The last straw before it breaks the camel's back
25 Jul 2018
The UK is the biggest user of plastic straws in Europe. We suck on, then throw away, over an estimated eight billion each year, almost double our nearest sucking rivals in Germany. But is the tide finally turning?
News Thank you for telling the government to protect our seas
24 Jul 2018
THANK YOU - an amazing 21,520 of you took part in our campaign urging Environment Minister Michael Gove to designate 41 proposed new Marine Conservation Zones in English seas.
News All female eXXpedition against ocean plastic
23 Jul 2018
Imogen Napper is an accomplished researcher, and MCS Sea Champion, passionate about microplastics and their effects on the marine environment. She is the perfect crew member for all female “Exxpedition”, which, right now, is sailing through and documenting the extent of plastic pollution in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
News Water companies not doing enough to reduce serious pollution
12 Jul 2018
In a performance report, the Environment Agency has said water companies must do more to cut down on serious pollution that’s blighting rivers and beaches. But, despite that call, the majority of England’s nine water companies assessed delivered ‘Good’ or ‘Leading’ performance – with improvement in self-reporting of pollution incidents and delivery of environmental improvement schemes.
News 'Sustainable' Fisheries Bill a concern as White Paper published
4 Jul 2018
MCS says the Government’s post-Brexit fisheries proposals are vague on how they will achieve world leading sustainable fisheries, with a lack of detail on sustainability objectives for a new Fisheries Bill.
News Deposit Return in Scotland – how do you want it to look?
2 Jul 2018
The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on the proposed deposit return scheme for drinks containers to find out, among other things, how much people think the deposit paid should be and what sort of containers should be covered.
News Are you ready to #GOPlasticFree this July?
28 Jun 2018
This July we launch our third Plastic Challenge, and it looks like it’ll be bigger than ever. Nearly 8,000 of you and counting have signed up.
News The animals that UK residents live unaware of
28 Jun 2018
Survey finds that few people are aware they can see whales and sharks in UK waters, and surprisingly few have spotted some relatively common species.
News Is #Bluebrexit an oxymoron?
25 Jun 2018
The first Brexit-related environmental test will deal with our beloved fish. A new bill on fisheries will land in Westminster soon: we must make sure they get it right.
News Fast fashion – cheap on the pocket but costing the earth
22 Jun 2018
Disposable clothing and its effect on the environment is to be the subject of a House of Commons inquiry. Clothes bought cheaply and worn only a few times can release toxic chemicals during production, release plastic fibres in the wash and then end up in landfill.
News Seafood mislabeling threatens fish stocks
22 Jun 2018
A new study has identified widespread mislabeling of seafood products after DNA-testing was carried out across the world – scientists say it’s threatening fish stocks. The same study also found poor trading practices and neglect of endangered species.
News Scottish Government urged to step in to save Coul Links
21 Jun 2018
Plans for a golf course at one of Scotland’s most important dune habitats have been passed by the local council despite a campaign against the development at Coul Links by a coalition of environmental groups including MCS. The group is calling on the Scottish Government to step in and save the dunes from permanent damage.
News Sark gives full protection to crawfish
20 Jun 2018
The smallest of the four main Channel Islands is the first place in the British Isles to fully protect the crawfish – also knows as the European spiny lobster. It follows underwater surveys by a local diver which showed the crustacean was making a comeback after being fished almost to extinction in the 1960s and 70s.
News Microbead ban starts today
19 Jun 2018
Face scrubs, toothpastes and shower gels that contain microbeads are banned from sale in England and Scotland from today. The government says it’s a final step in one of the toughest microbead actions in the world. MCS welcomes the ban but says it should now be extended to all products that contain the tiny plastic particles, including suncreams and household cleaners.
News McDonald's to ban plastic straws at all UK and Ireland outlets
15 Jun 2018
McDonald’s has become the latest food outlet to announce it is ditching plastic straws in favour of paper ones. The chain uses 1.8million straws a day in the UK and the decision comes after a successful trial in some of its restaurants earlier this year.
News The global marine litter crisis – who gets the blame?
15 Jun 2018
According to a Europe-wide study, the current litter crisis facing our seas is down to retailers, industry and government and not only that, none of them can be trusted to address the problem either. It’s scientists and environmental groups who are more likely to come up with solutions the new research reveals.
News Expedition from the Netherlands on mission to dive, study and clean English waters
13 Jun 2018
A group of divers from Holland are spending the next ten days exploring and cleaning wrecks at 20 locations in English and Dutch waters. The areas include some UK Marine Protected Areas following advice from MCS. The team say they want to bring the beauty, vulnerability and the litter of the North Sea to the attention of the public.
News We will stop the plastic tide
13 Jun 2018
In less than three months over 26,000 signed our petition to the Governments of the UK and to pubs, supermarkets and fast food chains. Time to ditch single-use plastic items
News Scuba-psyche: Fear, pain and the sea
8 Jun 2018
Beat gravity, depression and pain. Face and manage your darkest fears: Welcome to ‘blue-therapy’, a new way of using the ocean to address a wide range of pathologies.
News Proposed MCZs could mean 40% of English waters get protection
8 Jun 2018
The government’s announcement that the designation of 41 proposed Marine Conservation Zones is now open for public consultation means new sites with a potential to protect a wide range of marine wildlife and habitats could exist by 2019.
News A sovereign seascape - Sussex's marine haven
8 Jun 2018
Stretching eastwards from the towering Beachy Head chalk cliffs, all the way to the famous Hastings Pier, and reaching six nautical miles out to sea beyond the Sovereign Lighthouse, Beachy Head East recommended Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) promises to be one of our largest inshore MCZs.
News Organisers needed to run beach cleans on 14-17 September 2018
7 Jun 2018
This September, we’ll be running our 25th Great British Beach Clean event all around the UK and we want to make it as big as it can be.
We’re looking for people like you right now to get organised, choose a beach you love and run a clean-up in September!
News Covering the coastline with our fabulous volunteers #VolunteersWeek
6 Jun 2018
As hundreds of events and celebrations take place across the country to recognise the invaluable contribution volunteers make in the UK, MCS salutes our amazing supporters from beach cleaners to volunteer divers.
News Buy it now! Handy new book will help you tackle everyday plastic
6 Jun 2018
‘How to live plastic free – a day in the life of a plastic detox’, written by MCS and published by Headline UK, is full of tips and tricks about how kick your (often unrecognised) plastic addiction. It’ll help you detox your daily life of the substance that is so convenient on the one hand but is causing such distress in our oceans on the other.
News Wales coast path walkers to get free water bottle refills
5 Jun 2018
The 870-mile long Wales coast path is announced as the first location for rolling out a water refill scheme in the UK. MCS says it’s a welcome announcement by the Welsh Government, as part of a drive to make Wales the world’s first refill nation.
News Thousands of sea turtles killed by small-scale fishing in South America
5 Jun 2018
Tens of thousands of sea turtles are being killed each year by being accidentally caught in nets of small-scale fishing boats, operated from harbours in Ecuador, Peru and Chile. MCS says the UK-supported study shows how important it is for conservationists to grow relations with fishers.
News 'Trash-not-cash' market success at the Seaside Scavenge
1 Jun 2018
A recent beach market utilised trash not cash to purchase pre-loved items on Watergate Bay, Cornwall.
News What makes up 8.5% of all litter found on our beaches?
31 May 2018
The Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) 2017 Great British Beach Clean highlighted that 8.5% of litter found on the beach was related to what we flush away.
News Millions of recycled bottles to be turned into mattresses
31 May 2018
British bedmaker, Silentnight, say they’ll be preventing 105 million plastic bottles from going into oceans and landfill, by making them into eco-friendly mattresses. The company has also pledged financial support to MCS.
News Football leagues must tackle single-use plastic say MPs
31 May 2018
The chairmen of the football leagues in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are being asked by MPs to follow England’s Premier League and stop using single-use plastic.
News Join the debate on ocean plastic this World Environment Day
30 May 2018
The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) will be holding a series of evening screenings of the documentary A Plastic Ocean, followed by a debate between expert panellists working on this issue. These include Catherine Gemmell, MCS Scotland Conservation Officer and MCS Ocean Ambassador and Wildlife Cameraman Doug Allan.
News Single-use coffee cups banned from Scottish government buildings
30 May 2018
Hot on the heels of the EU proposed Single-use Plastic Directive to reduce marine litter, Scotland’s Environment Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, has announced single-use coffee cups will be banned from main government buildings from next week.
News The (wo)men and the sea: a love story
30 May 2018
Art began with a fish still life. Blue is the most loved colour of all. The gentle curvature of a wave is the natural antidote for the artificial geometric line we impose on ourselves. The ocean is the best synonym for freedom, the unknown and the uncontrollable forces of nature.
News Single-use plastic ban proposed by European Commission
29 May 2018
Common single-use plastics such as straws, cutlery, cotton buds and balloon sticks could be banned across Europe, the European Commission announced yesterday. There is no timeline yet for this world-first legislation to tackle plastic pollution at continental level.
News Can beach cleans be good for your mental health?
18 May 2018
The link between mental health and nature is one that is often discussed – it is well-known that people might go for a walk on the beach when they are feeling stressed, or go swimming in the sea to feel more at peace.
News Single-use plastic campaign: an apology
18 May 2018
On 2 May 2018 we could not wait to launch our call to you all to contact the Treasury on the proposed plastic tax. We got a little bit too excited about it, and accidentally sent an email to some of our supporters who had not asked to be contacted by us in relation to news regarding campaigns, and who only wanted to hear from us about volunteering and beach cleans.
News Taking a deposit return machine to the heart of Westminster
16 May 2018
MCS took a deposit return machine to Parliament today as part of an MP Drop-In Session to address plastic pollution.
News Watchdog formed to maintain environmental standards post Brexit
11 May 2018
Plans for a statutory watchdog ‘with teeth’ that will hold ministers publicly accountable on environmental standards during and after the Brexit transition, are proposed in consultation by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
News Wales set to tackle single-use plastic
8 May 2018
The Welsh government are gearing up to tackle the throwaway plastic crisis, as Environment Minister Hannah Blythyn announces plans to reduce their plastic waste.
News Will this be the end of wet wipes?
8 May 2018
Michael Gove’s crack down on plastic continues as wet wipes enter the focus of the Environment Secretary. News sources today have reported on the Secretary’s latest attack on plastic and highlighted the true trouble with wet wipes. Data from the Marine Conservation society (MCS) has revealed a 94% increase in wet wipes on UK beaches between 2016 and 2017. They are top of the league in personal hygiene products, but what do you do once you’ve finished with them?
News UK festival bans plastic bottles and straws
3 May 2018
Bestival will be selling recyclable cans instead of plastic water bottles at all of their festival bars starting this summer. This is another step in the right direction for the festival’s commitment to rid all single-use plastic from their sellers by 2021. Yet the cans are still single-use, so is this really a sufficient solution?
News Italian tourist hotspot bans certain single-use plastic items
3 May 2018
Local authorities in the Tremiti Islands, off Italy’s Eastern coast, have announced a new ban on single-use plastic items after finding so much plastic waste washed up on their beaches.
News Wimbledon bans plastic straws
2 May 2018
Plastic straws are to be banned from this year’s Wimbledon championships, the All England Lawn Tennis Club has announced.
News Is Scottish farmed salmon sustainable?
2 May 2018
We explain why the salmon farming industry in Scotland, as currently operated, poses serious environmental concerns and what you can do to help.
News Reefs have gone quiet and now fish can’t find them
1 May 2018
The Great Barrier Reef, once filled with the noise of its busy inhabitants, has gone silent. New research reveals how the silence among the corals is causing fewer young fish to make coral reefs their home.
News Superhuman divers forced to abandon their aquatic lifestyle
27 Apr 2018
New research surprised the scientific community as the Bajau people of South-East Asia became the first known humans genetically adapted to diving. But who are the Bajau and why should we worry about their livelihoods?
News Waitrose gives £1 million to tackle plastic pollution
26 Apr 2018
Last year saw 500 beaches and rivers across England cleaned of debris following a year’s successful partnership between Waitrose and the Marine Conservation Society. Today, a further half a million pounds of carrier bag levy funds has been pledged for another 12 months.
News Leading UK businesses pledge action against plastic
26 Apr 2018
Campaign group WRAP launches new “pact” to fight plastic pollution, with over 40 UK companies committing to take part.
News Morrisons takes steps to tackle plastic pollution
25 Apr 2018
Supermarket giant Morrisons has today announced plans to reduce its plastic pollution. It has also committed to making all of its own-brand plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
News Meet 5 of the world’s most endangered penguins
25 Apr 2018
Happy World Penguin Day! Or perhaps we should not sound so cheerful. Did you know 10 out of 18 of the world’s penguins are threatened?
News Join our free poetry evening in Edinburgh
24 Apr 2018
Our Poet in Residence Susan Richardson will be running a free evening of Poetry at Boda Bar in Edinburgh on 3 May at 7.30PM.
News Microplastic pollution in Arctic sea ice at an all-time high
24 Apr 2018
Record levels of microplastics have been found in Arctic sea ice. Up to 12,000 of these tiny plastic particles were discovered per litre of sea ice in samples taken from the Arctic Ocean in 2014 and 2015.
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 The underwater forest of life
3 Apr 2018
2018 is the International Year of the Reef, a worldwide campaign to raise awareness of the value and importance of coral reefs, of threats to reef health, and to motivate people to take action to protect them
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 North Sea bottlenose dolphin population is stable, says report
27 Mar 2018
The population of bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth and around the wider North Sea is stable, but remains vulnerable, according to researchers.
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 shoal - 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 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
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 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.