MARINE CONSERVATION AROUND THE UK
DIVING WITH ECOLOGY IN MIND
As divers most of us are interested in a healthy marine environment. The links on this page are to organisations that promote and support the wellbeing of our native marine ecosystems around the UK. In fact the Marine Conservation Society was originally established by divers and still needs our support.
The Marine Conservation Society is a UK charity which campaigns for clean seas and beaches, sustainable fisheries and protection for our marine life. The Society also coordinates the Seasearch project whose aims include mapping the seabed around the British Isles and its associated marine life. The vital data that this project collects is recorded in a national database which can be used for scientific research and therefore help form future government policy on maritime environmental issues.
Both the Marine Conservation Society and the Seasearch project organise survey dives that as a qualified diver you can be involved in. Also should you be lucky enough to see any basking sharks or turtles around our shores on your own dives please contact the MCS so that the details of your sighting can be recorded.
www.mcsuk.org The Marine Conservation Society website
www.seasearch.org.uk Seasearch website
MARINE RESERVES NOW - after a considerable campaign effort by organisations such as the MCS, Seasearch and The Wildlife Trusts, the Marine & Coastal Access Bill has received royal assent and become an Act. This should mean more attention is paid to developing new marine conservation zones and protected marine reserves around England and Wales.
Click on the links below for more information on how to support the marine environment
www.wildlifetrusts.org
www.savescottishseas.org
www.stopbloodywhaling.org
www.sealaction.org - Save Our Seals
www.wdcs.org - The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
www.bdmlr.org.uk - British Divers Marine Life Rescue - dedicated to the rescue and wellbeing of all marine animals in distress around the UK.
www.sharktrust.org
ETHICAL SHOPPING
If you'd like to know which fish to buy when you're doing your food shopping or what on earth to eat in a restaurant please visit www.fishonline.org
When buying prepackaged fish and seafood look for the white tick in the blue oval logo on the packaging which denotes fish caught in a responsible way and is only awarded to fisheries that meet the MSC's strict environmental standard. For further information on the Marine Stewardship Council visit: www.msc.org
