Marine Conservation Society

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Marine Conservation Society

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Contact Information
Marine Conservation Society
Wolf Business Park, Unit 3, Alton Road
Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 5NB, United Kingdom
Tel. +44-1989-566-017
Fax +44-1989-567-815

Type: Private - Not-for-Profit
On the web: http://www.mcsuk.org

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK national charity dedicated to protecting the marine environment and its wildlife. In addition to lobbying governments and educating the public on the plight of the seas, the conservation organization annually publishes its Good Beach Guide, which rates British beaches on the cleanliness and quality of their water. The society created a dust-up in 2004 with the publication of its annual Good Fish Guide, which recommended that Brits stop eating such fish as cod and haddock, and switch to pollock and flounder, in order to ensure future availability of the species that are traditionally consumed in the UK's favorite fast food, fish and chips. MCS was formed in 1983.

Officers:
Operations Manager: Pamela E. (Pam) Bridgewater
Enquiries Secretary: Ann Hunt
Communications Manager: Richard Harrington

Competitors:
The Conservation Fund
Conservation International
Wildlife Conservation Society

Wikipedia on Answers.com:

Marine Conservation Society

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Marine Conservation Society
Type Charitable organisation
Registration No. England and Wales: 100400 Scotland: SC03748
Founded 1983 (1983)
Location Unit 3, Wolf Business Park, Alton Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5N
Key people Charles,_Prince_of_Wales
Area served United Kingdom
Focus Marine Conservation, Overfishing
Revenue £ 2.2 million (2011)[1]
Motto Protecting our Seas, Shores and Wildlife
Website www.mcsuk.org

The Marine Conservation Society a UK charity for the protection of the seas around the United Kingdom, and for the protection of their shores and wildlife.[2]

According to their website MCS's Vision is:

"For seas rich in wildlife, abundant fish stocks and pollution free beaches and bathing waters – seas that are fit for wildlife to thrive in and for people to enjoy, and seas that will support future generations with abundant resources."

Their website also states:

"We champion the need for marine wildlife protection, sustainable fisheries and clean seas and beaches."

The society was first set up under the name of the 'Underwater Conservation Society' in 1977 when it was championed by Bernard Eaton, together with leading scientists and other public figures including HRH The Prince of Wales. The society later adopted the name “Marine Conservation Society” and was registered with the Charity Commission in 1983.[3]

The Charity's main current concerns about the UK seas are:

  • Too many fish are being taken out due to much fishing[4]
  • Too much rubbish is being thrown into the seas[5]
  • Not enough protection the marine wildlife and vital fish stocks [6]

To combat these the MCS have helped introduce many Marine Acts to better protect UK seas and marine life,[7] influenced sustainable seafood choices by major retailers and consumers through the Good Fish Guide[8] to help improve dwindling fish stocks, and have also brought together thousands of volunteers in their 'Beachwatch' projects to clean beaches of litter.[9]

Contents

Timeline

  • 1975 - Bernard Eaton (Editor of Diver mag) had the idea of holding an Underwater Conservation Year with the help of key figures like David Bellamy. The first meeting was held in the Wig and Pen Club in Fleet Street.
  • 1977 - The first Conservation Year with HRH Prince of Wales as President. Hundreds of divers got involved to survey marine habitats.
  • 1978 - The Underwater Conservation Society was established due to the success of the 'Conservation Year' in Bob Earll's shed in Ross on Wye, Herefordshire. Bob was the new UCS Project Co-ordinator.
  • 1983 – Name changed to Marine Conservation Society
  • 1986 - MCS start Seasearch with JNCC
  • 1987 - Published Golden List of Clean Beaches - now called the Good Beach Guide
  • 1988 - Office burns down in central Ross-on-Wye
  • 1993 – First Beachwatch weekend
  • 1998 – MCS wins protection for Basking sharks
  • 1999 - MCS starts lobbying for a review of marine nature conservation in UK
  • 1999 - MCS members magazine is first printed in colour
  • 2000 - Office opened in Scotland
  • 2001 - Launches Adopt-a-turtle scheme
  • 2007 - MCS staff and supporters march on Parliament calling for a strong Marine Bill
  • 2008 - MCS celebrates Silver Jubilee
  • 2009 - Marine Act passed
  • 2009 - Your Seas Your Voice Campaign launched
  • 2010 - Scottish Marine Act passed

Activities

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.[10]

Registered charity no (England and Wales) 1004005, Registered charity no (Scotland) SCO37480

References

  1. ^ [1], Marine Conservation Society, published June 2011
  2. ^ "The UK charity for the protection of our seas, shores and wildlife". http://www.mcsuk.org/. http://www.mcsuk.org/. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  3. ^ "Celebrating over 25 years of working to protect our precious seas". http://www.mcsuk.org/. http://www.mcsuk.org/information/About%20MCS/About%20MCS/History. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  4. ^ Ian Campbell. "Future of fishing: last chance to save fish stocks". http://neweconomics.org. http://neweconomics.org/press-releases/future-of-fishing-last-chance-to-save-fish-stocks. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  5. ^ Ben Bryant (April 21, 2011). "Huge rise in bathroom rubbish on UK beaches". http://www.guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/21/rise-bathroom-rubbish-uk-beaches. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  6. ^ Alison Benjamin (December 20, 2007). "Conservationists critical of new plans for marine protection". http://www.guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/dec/20/conservation.wildlife. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  7. ^ "Common Fisheries Policy Reform - Session 2010-12". http://www.publications.parliament.uk. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmenvfru/writev/fisheries/cfp01.htm. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  8. ^ "Marine Reserves". http://www.co-operative.coop. http://www.co-operative.coop/corporate/ethicsinaction/takeaction/Marine-Reserves/. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  9. ^ "Marine Conservation Society Wales beach clean-up". http://www.bbc.co.uk. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14959103. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 
  10. ^ "Coast award for Marine Conservation Society’s Beachwatch project". http://www.fishnewseu.com. http://www.fishnewseu.com/latest-news/uk/5534-coast-award-for-marine-conservation-societys-beachwatch-project.html. Retrieved December 30, 2011. 

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