To turn the page either click your mouse in the bottom corners, or use the arrow keys on your keyboard.

You can click on the little submarine at any time to take you back to the Contents page.

Look out for this button throughout the guide and click on it to find out what Sea Champions can do specific to that issue.

Welcome to the Sea Champions Volunteer Guide. Here are a few tips to help you find your way around.

How to use this guide

Become part of the movement to save our seas

Protecting our seas, shores and wildlife

Sea Champions Volunteer Guide

The Marine Conservation Society has a record of sustained achievement and deserves the wholehearted, passionate support of everyone who cares about our marine environment. Our special bond with our coastline and the sea, developed and nurtured over many generations, deserves nothing less.”

HRH The Prince of Wales, Marine Conservation Society President.

phot

o: R

icha

rd H

arrin

gton

/MC

S

Our UK seas are rich in wildlife, from brightly coloured cold water corals and delicate jewel-like anemones to giant basking sharks, leatherback turtles and dolphins. Beneath the waves, we have some of the finest marine habitats in Europe. Rocky reefs covered in soft corals, brightly coloured seafans and sponges, shallow beds of delicate maerl, seagrass, flameshell and horsemussel...but these habitats and the wildlife they support are under threat.

Our seas need you, right now! Be part of the Sea Champions programme and help shape the future of UK seas.

It’s in your hands...…

phot

o: R

yan

Tow

nley

/MC

S

Thanks go to Marks & Spencer for providing funding to allow us to recruit a whole team of passionate people to support Sea Champion volunteers in the South and South East of England, the South West of England and Scotland. We would like to extend the project to all parts of the UK in the future, watch this space for developments as the Sea Champion programme grows!

The funding is part of a partnership with Marks & Spencer through their Forever Fish Campaign, which aims to protect our fish stocks and the marine environment for the future. The Sea Champions programme is a key element of the Forever Fish campaign, through building a network of volunteers to support our marine conservation initiatives in their local communities.

Thanks

Contents

phot

o: T

ori W

illia

ms/

MC

S

Our wonderful seas, shores and

wildlife are under threat

There’s hardly anywhere in our seas where marine wildlife is completely safe from harm. It is vital that Marine Protected Areas are established around the coast to allow plants and animals to recover and flourish.

We must turn the tide on beach litter – levels of litter on our beaches have doubled over the last decade. Not only is marine rubbish unsightly, it is also dangerous to sea life, including seabirds, whales and dolphins.

Currently, more than three quarters of world fish stocks are fully or over exploited from fishing. Fish we once took for granted on our plates, like skate and cod, are not as common as they used to be. The future of fish stocks depends on bringing an end to overfishing which is devastating the life in our seas, and promoting sustainable alternatives to threatened favourites.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the voice for everyone who loves the sea and our work ensures that the sea’s rich wildlife can be restored, fish stocks grow more plentiful, and our beaches and seawater become cleaner.

Passionate people make all the difference!Ensuring a safe and productive future for our seas is no small challenge. MCS is up to the task, but we understand the value of helping hands. Volunteers have always been a really important part of our charity. We believe there are lots of people out there who share our passion and have the skills to help us achieve our goals – and this belief lies at the heart of the Sea Champions programme.

As a Sea Champion you will be part of a growing community of people working with MCS to protect our seas.

phot

o: P

atric

k Jo

es/M

CS

MCS was started by volunteers. The charity grew from the hard work and foresight of a small group of people, many of whom still actively support MCS today.

In the early 1970s there was serious disquiet about the state of UK seas, especially amongst scientists and SCUBA divers. 1977 became Underwater Conservation Year. This year long event was championed by the late Bernard Eaton of Diver Magazine, together with eminent scientists and public figures including HRH The Prince of Wales - who continues to support MCS today as our President.

So great was the momentum, that the Underwater Conservation Society was created, with a single paid project officer. In 1983, the name Marine Conservation Society was officially adopted and registered with the Charity Commission. Since then, MCS has taken on staff and achieved major successes in protecting marine wildlife, tackling sewage problems, helping consumers make sustainable seafood choices, and influencing Government and industry. But little of this would have been possible without our many supporters and volunteers.

• Today, more than 6,000 supporters fund our work through membership, and turtle adoption schemes.

• Almost 10,000 MCS volunteers clean up our beaches each year, and help us tackle marine litter at the source.

• Thousands of volunteer divers participate in Seasearch – unlocking the secrets of our seas by recording what they see when diving.

• Hundreds of thousands of people have shown their support for marine conservation by participating in marches, signing petitions and voting for better protection for our seas.

More and more people are aware of the threats facing our seas. MCS depends on the generosity, passion and enthusiasm of supporters and volunteers to spread the word and help involve even more people in protecting our seas, shores and wildlife.

We would love YOU to become a Sea Champion and feel proud to be doing your bit for our seas.

Volunteeringthe heart of MCS

Introduction

Want to become a Sea Champion?

Stay informed at the click of a mouse

Decide how you’d like to help

Getting support

Introduction

Want to become a Sea Champion?

Stay informed at the click of a mouse

Decide how you’d like to help

Getting support

This guidebook has been put together to provide you with a background to the work of MCS and to give you some ideas and guidance to get the most out of your role as a Sea Champion – look out for the “action boxes” throughout the guidebook. Our Sea Champion Volunteer Coordinators are ready to support you and are looking forward to hearing about how you’d like to work with us to help save our seas. Click here to meet the Sea Champions team.

Do you have the dedication, passion and drive to become a Sea Champion? Would you like to meet like-minded people, gain new skills and do something worthwhile and rewarding? Then you can register your interest in becoming a Sea Champion by filling in our application form. Completing this form does not mean that you are making a commitment to do anything – it is just telling us that you have the desire to give it a go! We will then contact you to find out how we can support you through the provision of resources and training, to help you deliver on the ground conservation action and promote MCS messages.

The MCS website www.mcsuk.org is the perfect place to catch up on news and find out more about current projects and campaigns. As a Sea Champion, you will receive our quarterly Sea Champions national e-newsletters and monthly regional e-bulletins to find out what other Sea Champions are up to, and how you can get involved in our work. You also have the opportunity to have your say, communicate with other Sea Champions and spread the word about MCS through our facebook pages, Twitter, our forum and on the Sea Champions blog. We also arrange regular training and networking opportunities where you can meet other Sea Champions in your area.

Because everyone is different, you may have your own clear idea on how you would like to get involved. Or why not pick from some ideas and suggestions we have come up with in this guidebook? Once you have some ideas of how you’d like to help, get in touch with your Volunteer Coordinator so they can support you. We will also be communicating with you regularly letting you know what projects and campaigns are running each month with actions you can take to get involved.

Once you’ve told us what you are interested in, we will work with you to match your skills and experiences to the activities and opportunities available within MCS. We will offer you one-to-one support, training and networking opportunities, and all you need to get started as an active Sea Champion and to become a successful ambassador for MCS in your local area. A Sea Champions Welcome pack, including a car sticker, banners, event materials and equipment, membership recruitment packs, a collection box, conservation programme briefs, and “How to” guides are just some of the resources and equipment that we can provide you with.

http://www.mcsuk.org/seachampions/Seachampions/Meet%20the%20team/Meet%20the%20teamhttp://www.mcsuk.org/forms/seachampions_registration.phphttp://www.mcsuk.orghttp://www.mcsuk.org/seachampions/Seachampions/Resources/Resourceshttp://www.mcsuk.org/seachampions/Seachampions/Resources/Resources%20Password%20Protected

Championing the cause

Put yourself at the heart of volunteering to save our seas. There are lots of ways Sea Champions can help:

Spreading the wordEventsFundraisingMembership recruitmentCampaigningEducational activitiesGiving talksGetting into the media

Whether you’re fundraising, promoting an event or campaign, or raising awareness to help people change their behaviour, social media such as Facebook and Twitter can play an important role in getting the word out. Follow Sea Champions on Twitter and keep an eye on the Sea Champions Facebook pages and Blog for posts to share. You could also help by displaying MCS banners on your blogs or websites! Check out our social media help sheets.

Spreading the wordOne way to boost local awareness and support of MCS is to tap into your community and find regular outlets for membership leaflets and other materials. Businesses such as pubs, hotels, campsites, restaurants, dive shops… all may be happy to help by displaying materials or placing an MCS collection box on the counter. If you find an outlet that is keen to help us, ask them to get in touch with our team on info@mcsuk.org. We can provide what they need, or, we can provide you with all you need to distribute MCS literature in your community.

EventsLocal fairs, events and meetings are a fantastic opportunity to encourage more people to join MCS, raise money, promote campaigns and get more people involved in surveys and projects. Check out our tips for attending an event.

http://www.twitter.com/seachampionshttp://twitter.com/mcsukhttp://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/seachampions/Sea_Champion_Banners.pdfhttp://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/seachampions/Sea_Champion_Social_Media.pdfmailto:info%40mcsuk.org?subject=Sea%20Championshttp://www.mcsuk.org/seachampions/Seachampions/Resources/Sea%20Champions%20tips%20and%20actions#eventhttp://www.mcsuk.org/seachampions/Seachampions/Resources/Sea%20Champions%20tips%20and%20actions#event

FundraisingAs a charity, fundraising is key to continuing our essential work. It can be an extremely rewarding experience and MCS has a dedicated fundraising team that can support you. How about organising a Big Blue Day? Or taking part in the Coastal Challenge? Or why not let your imagination run wild and come up with your own fundraising ideas? For more information and inspiration check out our fundraising pack.

Do you work for a company that supports charities or have contacts for companies who do? If so, why not suggest the Marine Conservation Society to them as their charity to support. Contact our Corporate Fundraising team on 01989 566017 to find out more about how your company can support us.

Membership recruitmentThe value of membership to MCS cannot be overstated. Passionate local Sea Champions can make a huge difference to the number of supporters joining MCS. Sea Champions can actively help us recruit new members, or can encourage people to sign up to our Adopt-a-Turtle scheme. If you are interested in helping MCS recruit new members, let your Volunteer Coordinator know and we will provide you with all the training and resources you need to get started. Check out our tips for encouraging new members.

http://www.mcsuk.org/support_mcs/Fundraise+for+MCS/Big+blue+day/Big+blue+dayhttp://www.mcsuk.org/support_mcs/Fundraise+for+MCS/Coastal+challenge/Coastal+challengehttp://www.mcsuk.org/support_mcs/Fundraise+for+MCS/Coastal+challenge/Coastal+challengehttp://www.mcsuk.org/support_mcs/downloads/downloadshttp://www.mcsuk.org/support_mcs/downloads/downloadshttp://www.mcsuk.org/support_mcs/Join+Donate+Adopthttp://www.mcsuk.org/support_mcs/Join%20Donate%20Adopt/Adopt%20a%20turtle/Adopt%20a%20turtlehttp://www.mcsuk.org/seachampions/Seachampions/Resources/Sea%20Champions%20tips%20and%20actions#members

CampaigningLocal knowledge and passion can make all the difference in successful campaigning. Check out our current campaigns in our three main areas of work:

• Taking action towards sustainable fisheries• Taking action towards clean seas and beaches• Taking action to protect marine wildlife

We will let you know about new campaigns via our quarterly e-newsletters and monthly e-bulletins, and will provide you with materials if you would like to champion our campaigns locally.

Educational activitiesSea Champions can help to spread knowledge and awareness about marine issues by taking part in local events and talking to local groups and schools. We can provide you with training and support to arm you with the skills you need to deliver schools assemblies and workshops. Check out our Cool Seas Explorer Centre for some inspiring, educational activities that your local schools can get involved in.

Giving talksPublic speaking isn’t for everyone but it is a great way to spread the word. Local community groups, such as Soroptimists, Women’s Institute or local interest groups are always on the look out for speakers. We can provide you with a readymade Powerpoint presentation on wildlife protection, sustainable seafood and clean seas and beaches. Have a look at our tips for planning a talk.

Getting into the mediaThe MCS Communications Team works hard to keep stories about our seas in the media and in the public eye. Sea Champions provide an important local focus for the national charity and some even act as MCS spokespeople in their local area. Check out our tips for getting into the media.

http://www.mcsuk.org/coolseashttp://www.mcsuk.org/seachampions/Seachampions/Resources/Sea%20Champions%20tips%20and%20actions#talkhttp://www.mcsuk.org/seachampions/Seachampions/Resources/Sea%20Champions%20tips%20and%20actions#presshttp://www.mcsuk.org/seachampions/Seachampions/Resources/Sea%20Champions%20tips%20and%20actions#press

Taking action towards Clean

seas and beaches

Taking action towards Clean

seas and beaches

Taking action towards clean seas

and beaches

The Earth’s largest rubbish dump is floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, known as “the North Pacific Gyre”. It’s estimated to be bigger than the size of Texas and it contains millions of tonnes of rubbish. Vast rotating currents in our oceans, known as gyres, allow debris, particularly plastics, to get stuck in this swirling vortex where they break down into smaller and smaller fragments.

In this ‘plastic soup’, microscopic plastics have been found to be six times the concentration of zooplankton.

This isn’t the only floating rubbish patch. There are five main gyres across the globe and all are known to trap debris that may stay there for hundreds of years.

The UK receives volumes of debris via the Gulf Stream, with litter from as far away as the Caribbean washing up on our shores.

phot

o: N

. Ew

ins

photo: N. Ewins

“Some of our best-loved marine wildlife is under threat from the waste and litter in our seas, with hundreds of species accidentally eating or becoming entangled in it. I’d like to thank Sea Champions who are instrumental in helping us tackle this problem.”

Lauren Eylesour Beachwatch Officer

“Over the past eighteen years nearly 50,000 volunteers have surveyed over 2,000km of UK beaches collecting nearly 4 million litter items.”

FACT

What are we doing about it?We have motivated tens of thousands of people to get involved in our annual Great British Beach Clean. This event is not just about helping people get stuck in to tackle the beach litter problem, it is about looking at the types and sources of litter washing up on our beaches.

By finding out where the litter comes from on UK beaches we can run targeted litter campaigns to influence policy makers and change peoples’ behaviour to try to stop it getting there in the first place.

What’s the Problem?Litter is swamping our oceans and is washing up on beaches. It kills wildlife through ingestion and entanglement, looks disgusting, is a hazard to our health and costs millions to clear up.

At least 177 marine species are known to have ingested litter.

The increasing use of plastics for the manufacture of goods and packaging, and increasing use of synthetic fishing nets, has only exacerbated the problem of beach litter. Plastic items now make up the bulk of the litter found during MCS beach litter surveys in the UK and account for around 70% of all litter.

Fishing Litter

What are we doing about it?We piloted the ‘Hang on to your Tackle’ campaign in Pembrokeshire and supported Coleraine Borough Council’s “Line Out” campaign in Northern Ireland. Friend of Cardigan Bay and Sea Champions in Scotland have also set up projects. Through these projects, purpose-made bins are located at angling hot spots around the coast, and top tips provided to anglers in leaflets and stickers to help highlight and reduce the impact of angling litter.

What’s the Problem?Lost or discarded fishing gear is one of the most hazardous forms of litter for seabirds, seals, dolphins, turtles and other marine wildlife through entanglement and ingestion, and also poses a threat to fishermen and other seafarers through fouling of propellers and fishing nets.

FACT

“Discarded or lost fishing nets are a particular problem as they can continue ‘ghost fishing’, catching and killing fish and marine animals.”

phot

o: C

arol

ine

Bate

man

http://www.mcsuk.org/wales/Working%20with%20you/Working%20with%20you/Hang%20on%20to%20your%20tackle%20campaign

Plastic Bag Free

What are we doing about it?Through the ‘Break the Bag Habit’ campaign we joined forces with the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Keep Britain Tidy and Surfers Against Sewage to call for a charge on single-use carrier bags in England, following the success of such levies in Wales and the Republic of Ireland. We called on Westminster to reduce litter and waste by requiring retailers to introduce a small charge on all single-use carrier bags. Our Beachwatch results formed the basis of evidence submitted to the Welsh Government which was instrumental in bringing in the 5p bag levy and supported the case for a single-use carrier bag levy in Scotland.

What’s the Problem?Single-use bags and plastic bags in particular are a menace to the amazing marine wildlife found in and around the UK’s coastal waters. Even when we dispose of them correctly, plastic bags are often blown out of bins and landfill sites and end up littering our land and oceans. They may never degrade so can remain part of the landscape forever. Animals get entangled in them and mistake them for food. This can lead to strangulation, starvation and even death.

“Each household in the UK uses around 400 plastic bags every year. In 2014, our volunteers found 5,199 plastic bags on our beaches over just one weekend.”

FACT

phot

o: S

tuar

t Ask

ew

http://www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Clean+seas+and+beaches/Campaigns+and+policy/Break+the+Bag+Habit

What are we doing about it?We’re working to get balloon and sky lantern releases stopped through our high impact ‘Don’t Let Go!’ campaign. By encouraging organisations that are planning balloon releases to choose wildlife-friendly alternatives. In addition we are encouraging councils to ban balloon and sky lantern releases on their land.

What’s the Problem?When balloons and sky lanterns are released, they don’t just disappear. They eventually float back down to earth where they are the same as any other litter. But balloons and sky lanterns are particularly dangerous. Like plastic bags, they are mistaken for food by many species of marine wildlife, especially turtles. Once balloons have been eaten they can block digestive systems and cause animals to starve. The string on balloons can also entangle and trap animals.

Don’t let go

FACT

“MCS Beachwatch surveys show that balloon litter levels have tripled on the UK’s beaches compared to figures in 1996, this problem is not going way.”

phot

o: S

imon

Pai

n

phot

o: R

icha

rd G

ilber

t

http://www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Clean+seas+and+beaches/campaigns+and+policy/Don%27t+let+go+-+balloons+and+sky+lanterns

What are we doing about it?By sharing information about bathroom waste obtained from our Beachwatch programme, we are keeping pressure on environment regulators and water companies to ensure the amount of this waste ending up along our coastline is reduced as much as possible.

Bag it & Bin it - Don’t f ush

What’s the Problem?Cotton bud sticks, sanitary towels, wet wipes, tampons, nappies, condoms, toilet fresheners… all this bathroom waste that is often flushed down the toilet can cause blockages in sewerage systems, or end up on our river banks and beaches in times of heavy rain.

“60-80% of bathroom waste on our beaches is down to cotton bud sticks. The majority of these are made of plastic so will persist for many years in the environment.”

FACT

phot

o: E

.Kan

e

phot

o: G

ill B

ell/M

CS

phot

o: N

. Ew

ins

http:///www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Clean%20seas%20and%20beaches/Beachwatch/Beachwatch%20Big%20Weekend%202012

“The three main threats to bathing water quality are sewer overflow pipes, storm run-off from farmland and urban areas. Sea Champions can help by promoting simple lifestyle changes and by reporting pollution incidents.”

Rachel Wyattour Coastal Pollution Officer

What are we doing about it?Pollution affecting bathing waters must be tackled including, sewage discharges, combined sewer overflows and urban and agricultural run-off. At poor bathing waters the main sources of pollution must be indentified and eliminated. Every year, we produce the online Good Beach Guide – a comprehensive guide to bathing water quality around the UK which is one of the drivers of positive change in UK water quality. By encouraging people to swim at beaches with the best water quality, we can keep the pressure on water companies and

environment regulators for improvement.

What’s the Problem?Investment in water treatment and better legislation, driven in part by MCS campaigns, has led to an improving trend for water quality at our beaches. But there is still much to be done, with one in twenty designated beaches in the UK at risk from failing new bathing water standards due to bacteria from sewage, agricultural run-off and urban areas. Poor water quality not only reduces our enjoyment of the coast but impacts human health, businesses and livelihoods.

Pollution affecting bathing waters must be tackled including, sewage discharges, combined sewer overflows, urban and agricultural run-off and misconnected wastewater pipes. By working together, we can improve water quality and everybody can help!

Water quality

“There are around 31,000 sewer overflow pipes in the UK, only a quarter of these are monitored to see how much sewage they put into the sea following heavy rain.”

FACT

phot

o: R

uth

Pena

luna

http://www.goodbeachguide.co.uk

Taking action towards

sustainable fisheries

Taking action towards

sustainable fisheries

Taking action towards sustainable

fisheries

Our seas were thought to be inexhaustible. Over the last 150 years, people have been fishing further, deeper and for longer, using ever more advanced technology. But this activity has plundered our once healthy seas. Fish landings have declined dramatically and the size of individual fish being caught has shrunk.With more than three quarters of world fish stocks fully or over exploited from fishing, plus pressure from climate change and pollution, we’re moving into dangerous waters when it comes to the fish of the future.

We work with the fishing and aquaculture industries, Government, chefs and restaurants, consumers and retailers to achieve sustainable seafood for us all.

phot

o: P

aul N

aylo

r

We are taking fish out of the sea faster than they can be replenished - and we are running out of fish. The problem is not just how many fish we are catching, but how we are catching them. Somefishing methods catch fish that we do not want, take more fish than we can use or have an incidental impact on the wider environment. Discarding is the throwing back of commercial species that a fisherman is not allowed to keep previously this happened for two main reasons: the fish are below minimum landing size or because the fishermen do not have sufficient quota to land them. Since the reform of the Common

fisheries policy we are now tackling this issue head on with a full ban of discarding commercial species coming into place by 2019. By-catch, on the other hand is the incidental catch which wasn’t being targeted or to put it another way id not commercially caught this often has little or no commercial value and can include things like starfish, sponges and gurnard. If the by-catch cannot be sold it will be thrown back to the sea, often dead. Some fishing activities can also seriously damage our marine habitats and kill other sea life, impacting marine mammals, sea birds and the entire marine ecosystem

Better fi sheries management

What’s the Problem?

What are we doing about it?• We work with Governments at all levels to achieve sustainable fisheries. We firmly believe in the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries, which we advocate through all aspects of our work.

The ecosystem-based approach: This approach to fisheries management considers the effect of fishing on biodiversity, habitat structure, endangered species and water quality, as well as fish stocks. The overall aim is to maintain healthy ecosystems and the fisheries they support. Find out about the measures we suggest for an ecosystem-based approach.

• We often get together with other like-minded organisations to have more leverage when influencing pressing fisheries issues. Read more about our work with other Non Governmental Organisations.

• We liaise with the fishing industry to help tackle issues such as by-catch, discards and habitat damage. We also encourage the development of fishing methods that both reduce environmental damage and support fish stock recovery.

http://www.fishonline.org/policyhttp://www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Fishing+for+our+future/Fisheries+-+what+we+do/Governments+and+NGOs

“Fish feeds have been developed with sustainability in mind in recent years, but it still takes more than 1kg of wild caught fish to produce 1kg of salmon.”

FACT

phot

o: P

eter

Ric

hard

son/

MC

S

• We all want aquaculture to be sustainable, and we work with Governments at all levels to achieve this. We also work closely with fish farmers, feed manufacturers and the supply chain to support new ideas and overcome barriers to change. Download the Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fish Farming that provides detailed solutions to the challenges associated with aquaculture.

• We firmly believe that maintaining the health and productivity of the marine

environment on which aquaculture relies should be at the heart of all policies. Find out more about our work by downloading the MCS Aquaculture policy paper.

• When it comes to achieving sustainable seafood, the most powerful people are consumers. We assess the sustainability of farmed seafood and provide advice to consumers via our Good Fish Guide website about the best choice of farmed and wild caught seafood.

Can farmed fish fill the gap?

Aquaculture is the farming of marine and freshwater fish, shellfish and plants. Nearly half of the world’s seafood is now produced by aquaculture, and it is set to overtake wild capture fisheries as a source of fish. It is the fastest growing food sector, expanding at about 7% per year.

Fish provides nearly three million people with at least 15% of their animal protein, and as global population grows, the demand for fish is estimated to increase by over 20% by 2015. Wild capture fisheries cannot supply this growing demand - aquaculture has developed to fill the need.

However, as with all food production there can be environmental impacts: for popular species, there are more fish caught for feed than the amount of fish produced; parasites and diseases amongst stock which can spread to wild populations; ecological effects of fish that escape from fish farms; impacts on surrounding habitats and species and pollution from chemicals and waste.

These are some of the issues that need to be addressed for the industry to be considered sustainable.

What’s the Problem?

What are we doing about it?

http://www.fishonline.org/policy

“Over 70% of the seafood consumed in the UK comes from only five types of fish: salmon, tuna, cod, haddock and prawns.”

FACT

• Using the best available scientific information, we publish an online seafood guide, and Pocket Good Fish Guide outlining ‘Fish to Eat’ and ‘Fish to Avoid’, so that you can shop with confidence when buying seafood.

• We provide consumers and retailers with information on species seasonality and best times to buy. We are encouraging people to try something different to take the pressure off some of the more familiar, but perhaps less sustainable types of fish.

• We use these tools to help supermarkets, restaurants, celebrity chefs and other retailers get clued-up about sustainable seafood. To find out what MCS recommends to retailers, download our sustainable fish sourcing policy.

• Our Supermarket Survey of sustainable seafood have seen some of the largest retailers step up to the sustainability challenge and change their seafood sourcing policies.

• We work closely with all types of retailers and their suppliers, from the people who buy fish on the quayside, to those who put it on our plates. We help them develop their internal buying policies in line with sustainability criteria, and advise them on what sourcing sustainable seafood means.

What’s the Problem?When it comes to achieving sustainable seafood, the most powerful people are consumers. The influence of buying decisions ripples through the rest of the seafood supply chain, right down to where fish are taken from the sea. However, it is difficult for consumers to know which fish are from sustainable sources.

What are we doing about it?

How sustainable is your fish supper?

http://www.goodfishguide.co.ukhttp://www.goodfishguide.co.ukhttp://www.fishonline.org/pocket-goodfishguidehttp://www.fishonline.org/pocket-goodfishguidehttp://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/fisheries/BuyingFishInSeason.pdfhttp://www.fishonline.org/policyhttp://www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Fishing+for+our+future/Supermarket+survey/Supermarket+surveyhttp://www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Fishing+for+our+future/Supermarket+survey/Supermarket+survey

Taking action to protect

marine wildlife

Taking action to protect

marine wildlife

phot

o: S

eapi

cs.c

om

Taking action to protect marine

wildlife

From spectacular coldwater corals and brightly-coloured jewel anemones to giant basking sharks, leatherback turtles and dolphins – we have it all, right here in the UK…but it’s under threat. Our waters are home to a third of the world’s grey seals and 23 species of whale and dolphin, ranging from humpback and sperm whales to majestic orcas. But it’s not just these charismatic creatures that we should be proud of. Beneath the waves, the UK is home to some of the finest marine habitats in Europe, featuring rocky reefs covered in soft corals, brightly coloured seafans and sponges, and shallow beds of delicate maerl, seagrass, flameshells and horsemussels. Not all is calm beneath the waves, however. Our seas are losing their biodiversity at an accelerating rate.

phot

o: P

aul N

aylo

rph

oto:

M.B

arne

sph

oto:

M.B

arne

s

phot

o: M

.Bar

nes

“Many UK species are already critically endangered, and in places, we have lost vast tracts of marine habitat. But it is not too late. These areas and species can recover, but we must act now to save our seas.”

Dr. Jean-Luc Solandtour Senior Biodiversity Program Officerp

hoto

: Mar

k Th

omas

What are we doing about it?The success of our campaigns for UK and Scottish Marine Acts mean that a network of nationally important Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in our seas will now become a reality. Across England, Scotland and Wales, governments are working to set up this network as soon as possible. We want to make sure these sites are chosen based on the best available scientific advice – so that our most precious and important habitats and rare, vulnerable species are properly protected and, where necessary, recovered.

What’s the Problem?Marine life is under threat from ever increasing human impacts. We depend on our seas for so much – for food, shipping, aggregate extraction, recreation, wind, wave and tidal energy developments. All these activities can have impacts on our seas and wildlife. With the additional stress being put on our seas as a result of climate change, it is vital that we do all we can now to reduce the impacts over which we do have some control.

Neither marine habitats nor the animals that depend on them are being offered enough protection. It is essential that the opportunity for better management of our seas, created by government legislation in the form of the Marine Acts (UK 2009, Scotland 2010), is not wasted. There is so much to lose.

Under pressure

“In the waters around the UK, previously common species like angel shark, sturgeon and the common skate are now listed as critically endangered.”

FACT

phot

o: C

harli

e Ph

illip

s/W

DS

phot

o: R

ohan

Hol

t

phot

o: C

harle

s H

ood

What are we doing about it?Over the last 30 years we have gathered a huge amount of information about some of our more impressive and enigmatic marine species. Our public wildlife sighting schemes give anyone who spends time near the sea the chance to get involved and contribute to this important record. All the data is accessible to researchers and is regularly used in academic publications. It has even been used to support better legal protection for basking sharks in UK seas. Our sightings schemes generate a great deal of media interest, and have made many thousands of people aware of the amazing animals that live in UK seas. Click on the links to report your sightings or to find out more:

Alien Species Basking Sharks Jellyfish Turtles Seasearch

What’s the Problem?As a nation, we know so little about our marine wildlife. By reporting sightings, you are adding to an ever growing data base that is used to focus research and conservation efforts on key marine species. The more we know about basking sharks, turtles and our magical marine life beneath the waves, the easier it is to protect them.

We need more data

“The largest leatherback ever recorded washed ashore in Wales. It was a male, weighing a staggering 916kg (the size of a mini car!)”

FACT

phot

o: M

ark

Thom

as

phot

o: S

indi

phot

o: P

atric

k Jo

es/M

CS

What are we doing about it?We are inspiring children throughout the UK to care about and protect our amazing marine wildlife through our Cool Seas Explorer workshops. Available to schools and children’s groups, our Education Officer and Sea Champions offer curriculum-linked workshops for infants and juniors or an assembly for the whole school. Each child who takes part in a workshop receives a copy of the Wild guide to Our Seas, our student workbook, which is packed with marine facts and activities.

Our new online Cool Seas Explorer Centre is designed to be enjoyed by primary age children at school, home or with their scout or brownies group. The interactive centre includes games, activities and heaps of cool information to engage our young people. There’s even a teacher zone with learning outlines to help embed marine conservation issues into classrooms across the UK.

What’s the Problem?As an island nation we have a deep historical connection with the sea and it is very much part of the fabric of our nation. No-one in the UK lives more than 70 miles from the coast – yet many people are unaware of the astonishing array of wildlife in our seas, the threats our seas face, and that every single one of us can do something to help. The sea belongs to all of us.

Losing touch

“150,000 children and counting have been inspired by the Cool Seas Roadshow.”

FACT

“However you want to help, now is the time to

save our seas”

www.mcsuk.orgMarine Conservation SocietyOver Ross House, Ross Park, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7QQ

Tel: 01989 566017email: seachampions@mcsuk.org

Our Sea Champion Volunteer Coordinators are waiting to hear from you, click on the map to get in touch.

…

Registered charity no (England and Wales): 1004005Registered charity no (Scotland): SC037480

Sea Champions is generously supported by:

Spreading the wordFundraisingMembership recruitmentCampaigningEducational activitiesGiving talksGetting into the media

Button 135: WCSCD_BW 2: Button 180: Button 86: Button 85: Button 88: Button 21: More data: Under pressure CP: Button 139: Fish Supper CP: Farmed Fish CP: Fisheries Management CP: Button 138: Water Quality CP: Button 137: Getting into the Media: Giving Talks: Educational Activities: Campaigning: Membership Recruitment: Fundraising: Event: Spreading the Word: Button 136: Button 170: Button 169: Button 168: Button 1: Button 2: Fisheries: Button 4: Content Homepage: Button 87: Button 179: Button 90: Button 89: Button 165: Button 92: Button 91: Button 157: Button 94: Button 161: Button 93: Button 96: Button 95: Button 164: Button 98: Button 162: Button 97: Button 100: Button 163: Button 99: Button 102: Button 101: Button 174: Button 104: Button 58: Button 103: Button 106: WCSCD_BW: Button 105: Button 141: Button 178: Button 108: WCSCD_PB: Button 107: Button 143: WCSCD_SL: Button 110: WCSCD_B&B: Button 109: Button 144: Button 112: WCSCD_WQ: Button 111: Button 145: Button 114: Button 113: Button 166: Button 116: Button 59: Button 115: Button 118: Button 146: WCSCD_FM: Button 117: Button 120: WCSCD_FF: Button 119: Button 147: Button 122: WCSCD_FS: Button 121: Button 148: Button 124: Button 123: Button 167: Button 126: Button 60: Button 125: Button 128: WCSCD_UP: Button 127: Button 149: Button 130: Jellyfish: Basking Sharks: Turtle: Seasearch: Alien: WCSCD_Data: Button 129: Button 150: Button 132: WCSCD_losing: Button 131: Button 151: Scotland FB: Wales FB: S&SE FB: SWest FB: Twitter SC: Blog: Button 133: Button 156: Drawn Map: Button 134: