Latest press releases…
Press Release Marine Conservation Society warns Welsh Local Authorities not to fail future generations by resisting Deposit Return Scheme
8 May 2019
The Marine Conservation Society has warned Welsh Local Authorities and elements within government that they will be failing young people if they refuse to back a money-back recycling system which encourages consumers to return their empty glass and plastic bottles and cans.
Press Release Michael Gove urged to follow Scotland’s lead for an all-inclusive money back recycling system
8 May 2019
The CEO of the UK’s leading marine conservation charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), has urged Michael Gove to follow the example set by Scotland today in designing an ambitious all-inclusive money-back recycling system for bottles and cans.
Press Release 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.
Press Release Cyrus Todiwala becomes an Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society
20 Mar 2019
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says it’s delighted to welcome celebrity chef, Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL, as the charity’s latest Ocean Ambassador.
Press Release No UK fisheries go ‘green’ in latest Good Fish Guide ratings
15 Mar 2019
The UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says it is disappointed that not one single UK fishery has moved off its Good Fish Guide ‘Fish to Avoid’ list in its most recent ratings update.
Press Release Assembly Members try out deposit return machine
30 Jan 2019
Wales’ leading marine charity has taken a deposit return machine into the Senedd to give Assembly Members the opportunity to see how a deposit return scheme (DRS) could work.
Press Release Cornish fish and chip shop batters the competition for the best sustainable fish supper
25 Jan 2019
Penzance-based Frasers Fish and Chips, won the Marine Conservation Society (MCS)-sponsored Good Catch Award.
Press Release MCS response to Resources and Waste Strategy
18 Dec 2018
Dr Chris Tuckett, Director of Programmes at the Marine Conservation Society, comments on the Resources and Waste Strategy announced today by DEFRA.
Press Release Three women, a boat, the Atlantic and whole load of plastic
11 Dec 2018
Team Status Row take on the world’s toughest row to increase awareness of plastic pollution, raising funds for the Marine Conservation Society.
Press Release Prestigious UK sporting venues and clubs come together to tackle single-use plastic pollution
4 Dec 2018
A meeting organised by the British Association for Sustainable Sport, the Marine Conservation Society and the #OneLess campaign gathered senior figures from leading sports venues, clubs and events to address the issue of single-use plastics and explore ways to reduce them from their venues and events.
Press Release Record numbers clean up in 25th Great British Beach Clean around Welsh coasts
29 Nov 2018
Over 1,300 volunteers in Wales have taken part in this year’s Great British Beach Clean, organised by the Marine Conservation Society. The charity has published the event’s report online and not only does it show record breaking volunteer and beach event numbers it also re-emphasises the shocking amounts of plastic litter on UK beaches.
Press Release Record numbers clean up in Scotland’s 25th Great British Beach Clean
29 Nov 2018
The charity has published the event’s report online which re-emphasises the shocking amounts of plastic litter on Scottish beaches. Volunteers removed 2,503kg of litter across the Scottish coastline.
Press Release Record numbers clean up in 25th Great British Beach Clean
29 Nov 2018
The charity has published the event’s report online and not only does it show record breaking volunteer and beach event numbers it also re-emphasises the shocking amounts of plastic litter on UK beaches.
Press Release Calling all divers - competition prize will help conserve reefs
7 Nov 2018
The UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and Biosphere Expeditions, in partnership with Reef Check, is offering a free place on an expedition to dive and observe some of the most fabulous reefs in the world.
Press Release New fish finger guide reveals that some brands are more sustainable than fresh fish
2 Nov 2018
The UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), says the sustainability of the nation’s favourite entry level fish product – the fish finger – isn’t as bad as may be imagined. The majority of fish in 48 retail own-brand and branded fingers it investigated came from sustainable green rated ‘Best Choice’ sources when the charity’s Good Fish Guide ratings were applied to the fish ingredient*
Press Release There’s always a catch when it comes to sustainable seafood
4 Oct 2018
The Marine Conservation Society publishes its latest seafood ratings today. MCS says the key to making the right seafood choices is understanding what it is, where it is from and how it is caught or farmed, and using the Good Fish Guide website, app and pocket guide.
Press Release Helpers flock to the aid of 25th national coastal clean up
18 Sep 2018
Well over 1,000 people took part around Wales over the weekend at this year’s Great British Beach Clean, at 60 different beaches spread all around the coast.
Press Release Taking country to the beach
10 Sep 2018
Chart-topping country duo, Ward Thomas, will be putting down their guitars and grabbing a pair of litter pickers to help clean up two beaches on the south coast as part of Great British Beach Clean.
Press Release Call for beach lovers to join 25th annual coastal clean up
7 Sep 2018
A clean-up is being run at Gwithian beach on Saturday 15th September 2018, at 12:30pm, and the Marine Conservation Society says volunteers are needed to help clean and take part.
Press Release New map of Scotland's hidden coastline will help in fight against beach litter
28 Aug 2018
The SCRAPbook project has been mapping the extent of litter around the Scottish coastline, today is launching a map to display the aerial photography captured.
Press Release Record breaking consultation reveals British people want the ‘plastic tax’
20 Aug 2018
Environmentalists celebrate the mass participation to what was dubbed the ‘plastic-tax consultation’ in the largest response to a call for evidence in the Treasury’s history. Over 220 organisations and 400,000 citizens have responded to the Treasury’s call for evidence on the introduction of tax or charges on single use (throwaway) plastic items. The Treasury has released today its analyses of the responses and the evidence received.
Press Release In the Year of the Sea, be part of the biggest ever Wales-wide beach litter pick!
17 Jul 2018
Marine Conservation Society seeks hundreds of volunteers for its 25th annual clean-up
Press Release Be part of the biggest ever Scotland-wide beach litter pick!
17 Jul 2018
The Marine Conservation Society seeks thousands of volunteers for its 25th annual clean-up
Press Release Government's post-Brexit fisheries proposals are vague on how they will achieve world leading sustainable fisheries say conservationists
4 Jul 2018
The long-awaited Government White Paper outlining post-Brexit plans for fisheries management in its waters has been published. MCS says the resulting Fisheries Bill seems like it will be far too narrow in scope, missing an opportunity to make our future fisheries truly world-leading and sustainable.
Press Release Check your scrub – personal products containing microbeads are banned from sale from today
19 Jun 2018
Now ban must be extended to cleaning and other products says Marine Conservation Society
Press Release Ross-on-Wye marine charity takes part in Prince of Wales' Countryside Parade
13 Jun 2018
Marine Conservation Society attends the Royal Cornwall Show to help celebrate its President’s lifelong contribution to rural life
Press Release Help give Langland a litter free start to summer
13 Jun 2018
Marine Conservation Society hopes volunteer cleaners will come and give Gower beach a spruce-up after a busy spring
Press Release Third round of Marine Conservation Zone designation could result in 40% of English seas being protected
8 Jun 2018
Today’s announcement that the designation of 41 proposed Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) for English waters will be open to public consultation over the next six weeks has been welcomed by the UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).
Press Release 25th Great British Beach Clean has the opportunity to break records, says marine charity
7 Jun 2018
Cleaning more beaches could tip the balance when it comes to stopping the plastic tide says Marine Conservation Society
Press Release Devon resorts aim to be plastic straw-free with support from UK's leading marine charity
21 May 2018
It could be the final straw soon for three Devon towns as they bid to make their businesses plastic straw free. Teignmouth, Dawlish and Dawlish Warren will host the Marine Conservation Society’s straw monster, to raise awareness of single-use plastic.
Press Release Seaside Scavenge takes beach cleaning to new audience
8 May 2018
The Seaside Scavenge is being launched at Watergate Bay Beach, on Wednesday 30 May. The Cornish beach will become a trading station where beach cleaners can swap tokens for pre-loved items donated by the public to help bring the concept of the circular economy to life.
Press Release UK authors come together to tackle ocean plastics
24 Apr 2018
50 of the UK’s best-known children’s authors and illustrators have joined forces to launch AUTHORS-4-OCEANS, a campaign to encourage both the book industry and young readers to ditch the plastic.
Press Release Join marine and river charities as they clean up the Thames with supermarket staff
19 Apr 2018
Join marine and river charities as they clean up the Thames with supermarket staff. Marine Conservation Society and Thames21 invite volunteers to spruce up the river at Slough as part of Waitrose partnership. Members of the public are being urged to join staff from Waitrose as they help investigate the link between river and marine litter.
Press Release 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.
Press Release Give Langland a litter free start to Spring
5 Apr 2018
After a battering from winter seas and winds, Langland Bay on the Gower needs help to get rid of the beach litter that has washed up or blown onto the shore in recent months.
Press Release Deposit Refund System announced for England
28 Mar 2018
The Marine Conservation Society is delighted at the Environmental Secretary’s announcement today, that a scheme for deposit returns on plastic and glass bottles and metal cans is to be introduced in England.
Press Release 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.
Press Release Targeting the Thames in the Waitrose Beach and River Clean-up series
15 Feb 2018
The UK’s leading marine charity, will be cleaning up river banks and recording the litter found for the first time, thanks to the support of one of the country’s leading supermarkets.
Press Release Deposit returns will cut #wildbottlesightings
31 Jan 2018
We’ve handed our #wildbottlesightings report to Scotland’s Environment Cabinet Secretary. In less than two years we’ve received 6,000 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.
Press Release UK Government's plan for nature fails to deliver
11 Jan 2018
The Marine Conservation Society says today that Defra’s 25 year plan lacks ambition, urgency and coherence
Press Release ‘Cappuccino charge’ and ‘latte levy’ must just be stepping stones to a 100% of single use coffee cups being recycled
5 Jan 2018
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says it welcomes the recommendations in a report out today from the Environmental Audit Committee calling for a ‘latte levy’ of 25p on disposable coffee cups with the revenue raised paying for improved recycling facilities.
Press Release UK needs urgent action on plastic bottle waste, says new report by committee of MPs
22 Dec 2017
The Marine Conservation Society backs demands for Deposit Return Systems, as a Parliamentary Committee calls for Urgent Action on Plastic Waste
Press Release From kitchen to coast - don’t cause a stink down your festive sink!
18 Dec 2017
With millions of households, restaurants and eateries serving up a fabulous festive roast on Christmas Day, we warn people not to pour leftover cooking fats and oils down the sink. Sewers clogged up with fat stops waste water reaching treatment works and can ultimately result in untreated sewage ending up on our beaches and sea.
Press Release Fishing levels continue to be set too high in penultimate December council meeting before date set for Brexit
13 Dec 2017
The Marine Conservation Society says that this year a number of stocks will continue to be fished above levels advised by scientists. MCS says it’s particularly concerned about the lack of progress on these stocks ahead of Brexit.
Press Release Beach litter rises 6% around Scottish coasts in just a year, shocking report reveals
30 Nov 2017
The UK’s largest and most influential annual beach clean-up and survey report released. Scotland beach litter rose and the country had the fourth highest litter density for a third year in a row.
Press Release Beach litter rises 10% in the UK, shocking report reveals
30 Nov 2017
The UK’s largest beach clean-up survey is released. The 2017 event saw 6,944 volunteer beach cleaners pick up record amounts of litter from 339 UK beaches – on average, a staggering 718 bits of rubbish from every 100 metres cleaned.
Press Release Fife marine conservation volunteer on a mission to stop people putting the wrong stuff down the loo
13 Nov 2017
Take the 3P Pledge and put only pee, poo and paper down the pan, says Jo!
Press Release Seahorse show stopper to grace 'Cake International'
3 Nov 2017
Cornish cake company creation will be cut up to raise funds for Marine Conservation Society
Press Release Marine Conservation Society launches colourful cartoons to highlight coastal poo-llution issues
2 Nov 2017
The UK’s leading marine conservation charity has launched a campaign to highlight how little things we do in our daily lives – often miles away from the coast – can have a massive effect on the quality of our coastal waters.
Press Release There may be bigger fish to fry, but now small sprat are big on sustainability!
6 Oct 2017
Marine Conservation Society gives these hardy little fish from the Baltic a green Good Fish Guide rating
Press Release Big support for coffee cup charges in Scotland
4 Oct 2017
New poll suggest over 70% would happily pay deposit on single-use takeaway cups
Press Release Environment Minister Joins Volunteers Armed With Litter Pickers For The Great British Beach Clean At Aldeburgh
16 Sep 2017
The UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), was joined by the Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey at Aldeburgh beach today when she took part in the charity’s Great British Beach Clean.
Press Release Portuguese Man O' War Washing Up On UK Shores
12 Sep 2017
Beachgoers warned not to touch these stinging jellyfish-like creatures
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS), is urging autumn beach visitors to look out for a bizarre stinging creature, the Portuguese man o’ war, but advises people not to touch.
Press Release Leading marine charity says there's widespread support to ditch 'flushable' claim from wet wipe packaging
5 Sep 2017
As a monster made out of wet wipes heads to the Thames, the UK’s leading marine charity says there’s widespread support to ditch ‘flushable’ claim from wet wipe packaging.
Press Release Volunteers needed for Fisherrow Sands beach clean!
21 Aug 2017
Visiting eXXpedition crew and Wild About Scotland bus will be calling in to look for litter on the East Lothian beach.
Press Release Can you help create one of the biggest beach cleaning event ever in Wales?
14 Aug 2017
Marine Conservation Society bidding to clean up to more beaches than ever before across the country in just four days
Press Release Can you help create Scotland's biggest beach cleaning event?
10 Aug 2017
Marine Conservation Society bidding to clean up 150 beaches across the country in just four days.
Press Release New report says Welsh Government must show greater leadership to protect seas
9 Aug 2017
A National Assembly Committee has stressed the need for the Welsh Government to give “urgent” attention to Marine Protected Areas in Wales
Press Release Wallace, the wet wipe monster, heads to Newquay to highlight why 'flushing' is bad for bathing
7 Aug 2017
National marine charity teams up with South West Water to launch ‘Love Your Loo’ campaign
Press Release Marine Conservation Society and Waitrose aim to create biggest beach and river clean event series ever
18 Jul 2017
UK’s leading marine charity joins forces with supermarket to fight plastic beach pollution.
Press Release Could you spare a couple of hours to give Langland Bay a summer clean?
6 Jul 2017
Marine Conservation Society seeks volunteers to gather and record litter.
Press Release Over 5,000 people give up single-use plastic in support of Herefordshire charity
5 Jul 2017
Marine Conservation Society ‘delighted’ with national take-up
Press Release Former EA bathing water expert joins marine charity to head up conservation work
3 Jul 2017
Marine Conservation Society welcomes new Director of Programmes.
Press Release High Street Eateries And Pubs Falling Short On Seafood Sustainability
3 Jul 2017
High street restaurants and pubs need to do more to prevent seafood being overfished, analysis by Fish2fork and the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) shows.
Press Release High street eateries and pubs falling short on seafood sustainability
29 Jun 2017
Some big names risking future fish stock - whilst others are a great catch
Press Release Wallace, the wet wipe monster, heads to East Looe to highlight why 'flushing' is bad for bathing
25 May 2017
Marine Conservation Society brings answers to pollution problems at Looe Festival of the Sea
Press Release Conservationists and students clean up Kilninian beach
23 May 2017
Marine Conservation Society and Greenpeace join 25 primary school children on North West Mull as part of scientific expedition
Press Release New protection measures for Scottish Sea Loch announced
19 May 2017
Marine Conservation Society says action for Loch Carron must be just the start of further protections
Press Release Marine Conservation Society urges people to get through June without plastic
2 May 2017
Plastic Challenge will highlight our reliance on this substance of convenience
Press Release Marine Conservation Society urges people in Wales to sign up to a war on waste
7 Apr 2017
Charity has launched petition to tackle food and drink litter on beaches.
Press Release MSP recognised for her support of flame shell beds
3 Apr 2017
MSP Maree Todd has been recognised by local marine conservationists
Press Release Beach clean and litter survey to get Langland ready for Spring, Can you lend a hand?
29 Mar 2017
Could you spare a couple of hours to help the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) give Langland bay a Spring clean?
Press Release Has your council banned balloon releases?
23 Mar 2017
Marine Conservation Society urges public to back local bans as balloon litter on beaches rises by over 50%
Press Release It's 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
Press Release It's make or break time for the microbeads ban
28 Feb 2017
On the day the Government’s microbeads consultation closes, businesses have joined environmental campaigners in calling for a comprehensive ban on microbeads.
Press Release How your seafood dishes could help ensure there's plenty of fish in the sea
27 Feb 2017
Charity launches ‘Change for Fish’ scheme for restaurants to help raise awareness of seafood sustainability
Press Release Good Fish Guide App that helps makes sustainable fish choices simple gets design award
23 Feb 2017
The Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) 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.
Press Release Big loopholes for tiny microbeads in government's proposed ban
8 Feb 2017
YouGov polling for the microbeads coalition has shown that a large proportion of people wash make-up and skincare products down the drain.
Press Release Marine Conservation Society boosted by support of players of People's Postcode Lottery
26 Jan 2017
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is delighted to have attended the 2017 People’s Postcode Lottery annual Charity Gala this week, where it was announced that £66.3 million was awarded to charities and good causes in 2016 - all thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Press Release Devon based restaurateur, chef and author scoops sustainable fish supper award
26 Jan 2017
‘Rockfish’ batters competition for acclaimed chippie accolade
Press Release High Street Restaurant and Pub Chains Rated for Seafood Sustainability
19 Jan 2017
Lack of Clarity on the Menu leaves Diners in the Dark when making a Seafood Choice
Press Release New Year - New You?
23 Dec 2016
Feeling like a beached whale after Christmas? Clear away those winter blues with a beach clean at Langland!
Press Release Government must avoid loopholes in microbeads ban
20 Dec 2016
Responding to reports that the Government’s consultation on microbeads will be launched this week, a joint statement by the Environmental Investigation Agency, Fauna and Flora International, Greenpeace UK and the Marine Conservation Society, said: We are very pleased to welcome the launch of this consultation, and we look forward to working with the Government to ensure that these tiny harmful plastics no longer reach our oceans.
Press Release We're all ears, say campaigners against Falmouth dredging plans
15 Dec 2016
Licensing body remains silent despite thousands calling for end to Falmouth dredge saga.
Press Release 'Protect more of our sea around Beachy Head', says local MP
13 Dec 2016
MP Caroline Ansell backs call to keep iconic coastal waters special
Press Release Decade-long study of beach litter finds sharp rise in types of litter such as polystyrene foam, balloons and fishing nets
30 Nov 2016
Near-doubling of smaller plastic pieces likely to continue as items enter the sea and break down
Press Release Number of plastic bags on Scotland's beaches continues to drop
22 Nov 2016
Marine charity says 5p is a small price to pay for fewer carriers at the coast.
Press Release Number of plastic bags on UK beaches drops by almost half in just one year
22 Nov 2016
Marine charity says 5p has been small price to pay for fewer carriers at the coast
Press Release Government's scientists' new proposals to help restore England's seas are welcomed by leading conservation charities
18 Nov 2016
New Marine Conservation Zones proposed for English Waters The Government’s scientific advisors have provided proposals on where a final set of Marine Conservation Zones are needed around England.
Press Release Former national Seasearch coordinator receives recognition for spending thousands of hours under the waves
17 Nov 2016
A lifetime of diving and recording recognised with national award for Chris Wood
Press Release Environment campaigners welcome announcement of investigation into microplastics by Chief Medical Officer
14 Nov 2016
The Government has announced today that the Department of Health will review impacts of microplastic pollution on human health as well as harm to the marine environment, in response to a recent inquiry on microplastic pollution.
Press Release See Cornwall from a kayak!
8 Nov 2016
Fundraising expedition led by expert paddlers will give a sea view of the Cornish coas
Press Release Conservation charity says no damaging fishing activities should be allowed in Welsh marine protected sites
1 Nov 2016
Welsh government has revealed plans which could result in new parts of a protected site in our seas being opened up to damaging practices
Press Release MCS backs calls to end inappropriate marketing and labelling of 'flushable' products
25 Oct 2016
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has been leading calls for changes in the wet wipes labelled as ‘flushable’ and has been driving collaboration on this issue.
Press Release Increased number of Good Fish Guide ratings for squid, the prawn cocktail of the 21st century
19 Oct 2016
Squid from Japan gets the green light from Marine Conservation Society whilst diners should treat calamari from other fisheries with caution
Press Release Why do so many sharks like the Sea of the Hebrides?
12 Oct 2016
More sharks tracked in the proposed Sea of the Hebrides Marine Protected Area.
Press Release The secret life of Lugworms
29 Sep 2016
Citizen scientists needed to help shed light on the sex-life of this important coastal species Love is in the air along our coastlines this autumn and the Marine Conservation Society is asking the public to keep an eye out for signs of passion in the lugworm population.
Press Release Environment Minister cleans up at Porthtowan beach
28 Sep 2016
The UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), was joined by Environment Minister and local MP, George Eustice, for a clean-up on Porthtowan beach yesterday.
Press Release New campaign sees 1000s of people take action for Falmouth Bay
27 Sep 2016
Secrecy surrounds plans to destroy underwater nature reserve
Press Release Make Brighton your marine marathon and produce a run for our seas!
14 Sep 2016
Marine Conservation Society has charity places to fill The UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), is looking for three runners to take part in the Brighton marathon, one of the country’s favourite 26.2milers, whilst raising funds for better protected and cleaner seas.
Press Release We should not take marine life for granted, says nature and wildlife illustrator, Millie Marotta
14 Sep 2016
Colour for Marine Conservation and protect Britain’s underwater wonders.
Press Release Meet Wallace, a monster made from wet wipes, and find out why you should be a 'binner' not a 'flusher'
13 Sep 2016
Marine Conservation Society and South West Water set to reveal why misleading labelling must be wiped out
Press Release Cramond Cubs club together to clean up!
12 Sep 2016
The 82nd Craigalmond Cubs headed out to clean Cramond Beach last night after a workshop given by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).
Did you know?…
Our Communications Team handle enquires from local, national and international media
Our Communications Team is on hand for all media enquiries
Contact our press team
Press line 01989 561580
Email info@mcsuk.org
Clare Fischer,
PR Manager
Jack Versiani Holt,
Communications Team Support Officer