The Marine Conservation Society is the UK's leading marine environment, not-for-profit organisation. It works for the increased protection of the seas around the United Kingdom, via the creation of well managed marine protected areas. It works with fishermen and industry to find more sustainable ways of fishing and with retailers and consumers to buy and choose more sustainable seafood. It involves volunteers to carry out hundreds of beach cleans and surveys annually whilst also working with water companies and local communities to ensure UK bathing waters are of an excellent standard. MCS runs a number of high-profile campaigns including: Beachwatch - the largest volunteer beach cleaning and litter survey in the UK. It includes the annual Great British Beach Clean which takes place every third weekend in September. Don't Let Go - a campaign to stop the indiscriminate release of balloons and sky lanterns which end up on our beaches and in the sea and can lead to death of marine creatures. Scrub it Out - with partners Fauna and Flora International it aims to get manufacturers and retailers to stop making and selling personal care products which contain microbeads. Protecting UK seas - working to establish a network of marine protected areas around the UK and ensuring they are well managed once created. Good Fish Guide - the guide includes the MCS Fish to Eat and Fish to Avoid lists and advice on choosing the most sustainable fish - it is widely used by the public and industry. MCS is a membership organisation and relies on income from members, individual donations and corporate support. MCS runs a successful volunteer outreach programme called Sea Champions These volunteers work on the ground to promote all MCS projects, programmes and campaigns.
Timeline
1975 – Bernard Eaton proposed an "Underwater Conservation Year" with the help of such key figures as David Bellamy. The first meeting was held in the Wig and Pen Club in Fleet Street.
1977 – The first "Conservation Year" with the Prince of Wales as President. Hundreds of divers surveyed marine habitats.
1978 – The "Underwater Conservation Society" was established in Ross-on-Wye on the success of the "Conservation Year". Bob Earl was the new UCS Project Co-ordinator.
1983 – Name changed to Marine Conservation Society and registered with the Charity Commission
MCS involves volunteers in surveys and other projects such as Beachwatch, Seasearch, wildlife sightings, fundraising, reporting overflowing sewage pipes.
MCS Cool Seas Roadshow visits hundreds of schools and sees thousands of children every year.
MCS Campaigns against balloon releases, plastic bags, for Marine Reserves, sustainable fisheries.
The Society won a coveted "Coast Award 2011". It achieved the award of "Best Green Marine Campaign" for its Beachwatch project, the marine litter survey and its clean-ups held at beaches all around the UK. The MCS's Great British Beach Clean project has been shortlisted by the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards for the Conservation Success of the Year 2018. In 2018, the Marine Conservation Society has expressed concern over deaths of the creatures at a Sea Life centres. Mortality figures across eight centres in Birmingham, Blackpool, Great Yarmouth, Hunstanton, London, Manchester, Scarborough and Weymouth included jellyfish, sharks and endangered undulate rays, which are on the “red list” of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Registered charity no. 1004005, Registered charity no. SCO37480
