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Help MCS make Beachwatch 2010 the biggest ever
Beachwatch Big Weekend 2010 takes place in September and MCS hopes more people than ever will clean up >> More
Swift reaction as charity bans balloons
A charity whose balloon entangled a swift in flight has told MCS it won't do any further balloon releases >> More
MCS outlines fears for Gulf oil spillage
MCS reveals the damage to wildlife and habitats that could result from continuing Gulf oil spill disaster >> More
Big beach clean success for MCS and Radio 1
North Wales students get down and dirty as they collect 50 bags of rubbish in return for tickets > > More
MCS in Radio 1 volunteer initiative
MCS help Radio 1 listeners clean a North Wales beach in return for Big Weekend tickets >> More
MCS and Coast magazine clean up in Norfolk
The 'Coast' annual Beachclean in Wells - 80 litter pickers braved the weather to spring clean >> More
Hard to swallow - the real horror of plastic litter
View with caution - shocking footage of a herring gull mistaking a plastic bag for food >> More
MCS on the dangers of sewage overflow pipes
MCS Coastal Pollution Officer, Tom Bell tells BBC R4 'You and Yours' why overflow sewage pipes need tighter regulation. Listen here >> More
'Shore' is a load of rubbish!
Visit Bay Art Gallery in Herne Bay between the 25th May and 5th June to see an exhibition on beach litter that might make you think slightly differently about it! www.bayartgallery.co.uk
MCS and Fred join forces to tackle trash
Litter traveller, Fred the Monkey, has arrived at MCS to help promote our beach clean efforts. Read his story here >> More
MCS blog from Coastal Cleanup meeting in Mexico
Emma from the MCS and Fred are at the ICC conference in Cancun - follow her blog here >> More
UK beaches under a plastic tide
Latest MCS Beachwatch Report reveals plastic litter up 121% since 1994 as political parties take up marine litter challenge >> More
MCS in scallop dredger success
MCS helps protect Welsh waters from damaging scallop dredging > > More
Plastic rubbish gathers in Atlantic
Floating Atlantic dumping ground is result of throw away culture says MCS >> More
MCS Beachwatch 2010 - 18th/19th September
Beachwatch Big Weekend 2010 will be over the 18th and 19th September. Register now to clean your favourite beach >> More
Wales going plastic bag free
The Welsh Government plans to introduce a charge on all plastic bags by 2011. You can help your town go "bag free">> More
Competition winner
Congratulations to Jacki Clark, who wins our "Face of Beachwatch" photo competition. Hover over the Beachwatch tab to see the photo in all its glory!
What do you think?
Plastic manufacturers are trying to find out what impact their products have on the environment. "About time" we say! They have launched a group called Plastics 2020 Challenge and want you to say what you think the plastics industry should do >> More
Charity kicks out balloons
The charity Pancreatic Cancer UK has agreed not to release balloons. Find out why we’re working on balloons >> More
MCS storm sewer campaign
MCS, in association with The Sunday Times magazine, has kicked off a new sewage pollution campaign. We're asking beach visitors to report to MCS any sewer overflow pipes that you see polluting beaches or the sea >> More
Our precious cool seas
Sea life around the coast of the British Isles is just as colourful, fascinating and beautiful as that found anywhere else in the world. Our underwater landscapes are teeming with life and amazingly varied, from rocky reefs and muddy bottoms, to deep-water channels and sea-grass meadows.
They support everything from valuable fish stocks to delicate jewel-like anemones and giant basking sharks, leatherback turtles and seals. The wealth of our seas lies in their diversity.
What is the problem?
Sadly, decades of industrial exploitation have taken their toll, and now all UK seas and their delicate marine habitats are under immense pressure. Only a tiny fraction of our seas are protected from damaging activities, and only eight of a total of 47 fish stocks are known to be in a healthy state and 22 of our marine vertebrates are now considered to be threatened with extinction.
What needs to be done?
The UK needs to better understand, respect and protect its marine wildlife. We must ensure that vulnerable species and habitats are properly protected and that fisheries targeting commercially important species are better managed. We need to allow areas of our sea to recover from the relentless, damaging fishing activities that have scoured much of the seabed habitats and the wildlife that depends on them.
MCS Action
For over 25 years MCS has campaigned for better protection of our marine wildlife. We have successfully lobbied for the protection of spectacular species such as the basking shark, and are at the forefront of the movement calling for Marine Acts from the UK and Scottish Governments.
We are now pushing for establishment of a network of marine protected areas in UK waters, while we carry out national surveys of vulnerable marine species and habitats.
MCS also runs the Cool Seas Roadshow, which tours primary schools and public events inspiring young and old about the importance of looking after ours seas. We have so much to lose, please help us protect our amazing marine wildlife.
