Charities

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the only charity working uniquely to protect UK seas, shores and wildlife.  We work for clean and litter free seas, sustainable fisheries and protected marine life.  

Over the last decade litter has greatly increased on British beaches and this effects marine life at every level - from tiny microscopic organisms through to the very largest animals such as whales and turtles.

Every week, a staggering 150,000,000 plastic shopping bags are used in the UK. This is equivalent to every person in the UK using over 290 bags each year. During the Marine Conservation Societies Beach-Watch 2007 (see picture below) they found more than 7,500 plastic bags on UK beaches – that’s over 40 bags for every kilometre of beach surveyed.



Plastic bags can be easily mistaken for food by marine animals, especially those that consume jellyfish or squid. A plastic bag floating in the water and a jellyfish are very difficult to tell apart and marine wildlife such as turtles, whales and sea birds frequently die after eating them by mistake.

Supporting our ‘Clean Seas and Beaches’ campaign will help the younger generation to learn about and enjoy our seas, shores and wildlfie through the beach watch volunteer program, helping to raise awareness of the problem and preserve the many wonderful species of animals found in the UK.

Please help support the Marine Conservation Society.

Find out more information on the 'Clean Seas and Beaches' project.