Marine Conservation Society

How about some positive news to kick off the week? Recent reports have shown that some key marine species have been bouncing back along England’s North Sea coast 🙌 Bottlenose dolphins, along with humpback and minke whales, have been spotted in greater numbers in recent years and grey seals, that were once in danger of disappearing around the UK, are flourishing there. In fact, nearly 4,000 seal pups were born last year around the beach at Horsey, Norfolk, during a record-breaking season Experts believe that this positive shift is due to the growing protections for nature in the North Sea, such as new marine protected areas and increased controls on fishing Full story here: https://lnkd.in/d4cUJYka

Last year as part of the DEEP project, we reached the incredible milestone of helping to return over 100,000 native oysters to the Dornoch Firth, Scotland 🎉 We're delighted to share that Finlay Carson, as the Nature Champion for the Native Oyster Beds, has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament to recognise this achievement These oysters will bring back a self-sustaining reef which once thrived in the Firth. Research suggests that their existence will also double biodiversity within ten years, transforming the seabed community. A thriving oyster population will help other wildlife and improve water quality Find out more about the DEEP project, that just celebrated its 10th year, here: https://lnkd.in/eWm3bA_w The Glenmorangie Company Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh NatureScot

As Britain freezes in a chilling Polar blast, let’s take inspiration from some of the amazing marine creatures that thrive in the cold ❄️ 🔹 Antarctic Icefish: These remarkable fish have evolved to survive in the sub-zero waters of the Antarctic, where temperatures often hover near -2°C. To prevent their bodily fluids from freezing, icefish produce special proteins that act like antifreeze, lowering the freezing point of their blood. 🔹Belugas: These friendly mammals are 40% blubber, which provides excellent insulation from the cold. The absence of a dorsal fin also reduces heat loss and helps them navigate under ice. 🔹Pompeii Worms: While not technically cold-adapted, Pompeii worms deserve mention for their extraordinary ability to tolerate extreme temperature gradients. These surprising creatures live near hydrothermal vents in the deep sea, where their tails withstand temperatures as high as hot tea while their heads experience near-freezing temperatures just an inch away. 🔹Polar Bears: The kings of the Arctic have two layers of thick fur and lots of blubber to keep them warm in temperatures as low as -50° C. In fact, they are so well insulated that they can quickly overheat when they run. By becoming a Marine Conservation Society member, you can help us protect our ocean and the incredible species that inhabit it for generations to come: actmcs.org/membership-li

Our beach clean data shows that high levels of single-use items are still being littered on our beaches! We're championing a shift from a single-use society to one which repairs, reuses and refills, where nothing is leaked into the ocean. Today our CEO, Sandy Luk attended an important government roundtable to discuss steps to move towards a circular economy The data that our volunteers collect is a vital part in helping to make this happen. If you'd like to help, find out more about beach cleans here -> mcsuk.org/beachwatch Mary Creagh CBE MP Reloop Trash Free Trails Keep Britain Tidy Wildlife and Countryside Link

Exciting #WildlifeSighting alert - Humpback Whales have been spotted around the English coast this week! We've had reports coming in of these incredible marine mammals putting on quite a show. One was spotted breaching along the Sussex coastline, all the way from Hastings to Eastbourne and the second was seen off of the coast of Cornwall 🐋 Breaching is a truly spectacular sight to behold, when a whale leaps belly-up into the air, creating a thunderous splash as it crashes back into the water Did you realise that Humpbacks visit UK waters? Head on over to our website to find out more about them: https://lnkd.in/e3FrNPsb 🎥: Molly Wates

We’ve been working with over 20 partner organisations to develop the UK's first ever strategy on #OceanLiteracy Led by Wales Coasts and Seas Partnership, the initiative, Y Môr a Ni (The Sea and Us), is the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, and aims to grow people’s relationship with our seas by building awareness of our influence on the ocean, and its influence on us 🌊 Find out more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eyy4vMDa #YMorANi #TheSeaAndUs

Seagrass meadows are vital to the survival of sea turtles, particularly the green sea turtle. These gentle herbivores spend their days grazing on the lush green blades, carefully selecting the tastiest morsels. Seagrass provides them with the energy they need to grow, migrate, and reproduce 🌱 But seagrass meadows are not just important for sea turtles; they play a vital role in the overall health of marine ecosystems. The dense root systems help to stabilise the ocean floor, preventing erosion and creating a stable habitat for all kinds of species. Seagrass is also a powerful ally against climate change, capable of capturing carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests and storing carbon 30-50 times more efficiently than terrestrial forests. Seagrass meadows face numerous threats including coastal development, pollution, and climate change. Protecting these vital habitats is crucial for the conservation of sea turtles and the overall health of our planet. With your help, we can continue to protect, restore, and plant crucial carbon-absorbing seagrass meadows. 👉 actmcs.org/thrive-25

Fancy a new role for the New Year? We're hiring! Our team is growing and we're looking for: - Community Fundraising Manager - Head of Ocean Regeneration & Sustainable Seafood - Community Engagement Manager - One Ocean Roadshow Delivery Officer For more info and to apply 👉 https://lnkd.in/dezK7US3 Be sure to tag anyone you think would be interested 👍 #CharityJobs #EnvironmentJobs #FundraisingJobs #OceanJobs #ConservationJobs #JobVacancy #Hiring #CommunityJobs

The ocean's gentle waves hold more than beauty – they cradle entire ecosystems vital to our planet's health. However, marine habitats are under threat, and wildlife faces unprecedented challenges from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. We are dedicated to protecting and restoring the UK’s marine environments, ensuring they remain a thriving home for dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, and countless other species; but we can’t do it alone. We need your support - will you help us? Donate £25, or as much as you can afford, to help us revive the ocean in 2025 and beyond 🌊 👉 actmcs.org/thrive-25-li #ReviveOurOcean

Positive ocean news 🌊 We're starting the year on a positive note with our final monthly round-up of good news stories from 2024! To ensure there are even more wins for our seas to come, support us in reviving the ocean in 2025 and beyond 👉actmcs.org/thrive-25