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Working together to protect our oceans

Our ocean is integral to life. It sustains us with food and oxygen, and provides inspiration, the means to earn a living, and the opportunity for adventure.

But, threatened by plastic and pollution, our ocean is in trouble.

As a brand with its heart on the sea, we feel strongly about protecting the ocean and its inhabitants. However you love the sea - in it, on it, under it, or by it - by supporting the Marine Conservation Society you are part of a movement. Together we can achieve seas full of life, where nature flourishes and people thrive.

Next Together we can

Plenty More Fish in the Sea?

Between 1970 and 2012 the world’s fish population declined by 49% [Source: World Wildlife Fund]

We need clean seas, more sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and well managed, protected marine environments. And we need people to understand, love and care for this presious resource, before it is too late.

Together we can

Princess & MCS

We are honoured to be the first luxury yacht manufacturer to officially partner with the Marine Conservation Society. Since 2016 we have worked together to support marine environments, preserving reefs and sea life for present and future generations.

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Eddystone Reef

19km
SSW of Plymouth

We are proud custodians of Eddystone Reef – an offshore ecosystem close to our home city of Plymouth. The Marine Conservation Society plays an instrumental role in protecting the reef from damaging fishing practices and we support their vital research, which monitors its recovery.

So far research has evidenced that sea anemone population has doubled, the number of tube worms has quadrupled, and the undisturbed seabed is now a thriving ecosystem home to sea flora, fish and other marine creatures. These early signs of recovery are encouraging, although full recovery may take 20 to 30 years.

Map of the UK
Together we can
Together we can

We Can Turn the Tide

Faced with rising levels of pollution and the dumping of plastic, protecting our oceans is not an easy task. But we believe that, together, we can all make a difference to the marine ecology on which we all depend.

 ̰ Together we can

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Ways you can help

We believe that, together, we can make a difference to the marine ecology on which we all depend. And, whether you enjoy experiences on the open ocean, love walking the world’s beautiful beaches, or live inland and and rarely see the sea, you can make a difference to the future of our blue planet.

Ways you can help
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1 At Sea

If you love being on the sea,
help save the sea

01

If you are enjoying a day on the ocean, please take care to ensure no rubbish ends up in the sea. If your vessel is not equipped with waste disposal facilities, make sure you take suitable containers for any rubbish you have and take it back to shore with you – being sure to recycle it wherever possible.

At Sea - image 1

02

Always be aware of the marine life around you and keep a keen eye on the waters for any creatures near the surface, such as turtles, dolphins and whales. Recent studies indicate that, in certain areas, up to one third of whales found dead display signs of having died through collision with a boat or ship.

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Coral reefs are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, so if you’re going into the sea rather than just sailing on it, be careful not to damage the coral beneath your feet. Not only will doing so risk killing it, reef plants are sometimes very sharp and could cause you harm too.

At Sea - image 3
Together we can

2 On Shore

Let's Wave Goodbye to Litter-filled Beaches

01

To date, the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Cleans have removed 6 million pieces of litter from the UK’s beaches. Reduce, reuse or recycle to prevent marine litter.

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02

Beach clean-up events aren’t just limited to the UK. No matter where you are in the world, if you live near the sea there is probably a clean-up team you can join. And if there isn’t, why not start your own? It’s a great way to raise awareness and to do your bit to keep the world’s beaches as nature intended.

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03

No butts. Cigarette ends are often the most abundant pollutants found on beaches, so if you’re going to light up please dispose of the cigarette responsibly.

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3 Inland

Even if you rarely see the sea you can still help protect it

Say no to single-use plastic

01

A single plastic bottle breaks down into hundreds of pieces adding to the plastic tide polluting our marine life.

Avoid single-use plastics such as bottles, bags, coffes cups, and straws, and help cut down on the 20 billion plastic bottles that are thrown away each year.

Instead, carry reusable bags, cups, bottles and cutlery and refuse the straw.

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02

Every day millions of microplastics enter the sea from personal care products such as scrubs and toothpastes. Their tiny size means they slip through water treatment plants and out into the sea.

Instead, choose products with natural exfoliants, such as oatmeal and salt.

Inland - image 2
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The species you are saving

Blue Shark

The Problem

Twenty million blue sharks are caught every year, mainly as a bycatch in long-line and trawler fishing. They are often finned at sea - for shark fin soup - and discarded back into the water.

What Are We Doing?

MCS is lobbying the UK government and at the EU level for more effective regulation of fisheries.

Blue Shark

Bottlenose Dolphin

The problem

Threatened by trawler nets and long-line fishing methods, chemical and noise pollution as well as general habitat degradation.

What we are doing?

MCS is advising the fishing industry on more efficient methods to reduce bycatch.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Loggerhead Turtle

The Problem

Threatened by littering, particularly plastic bags, which they mistake for food. They are hunted for their meat and their eggs are collected for food.

What are we doing?

Working with governments and fisheries, MCS work has helped ban loggerhead capture in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

oggerhead Turtle

Atlantic Halibut

The Problem

This popular food-fish is officially an endangered species. Because they grow slowly and mature late, they are prone to overfishing and their recovery rates are slow.

What are we doing?

MCS is educating restaurants, consumers and retailers on choosing sustainable sources of seafood, such as organic farmed Atlantic Halibut.

Atlantic Halibut

Seagrass

The Problem

The oldest living organism on the planet (200,000 years and counting!), oxygen-generating seagrasses are under threat around the world.

What are we doing?

MCS is lobbying for a better network of marine protected areas in UK waters to protect critical seagrass habitats. In conjuction with Princess Yachts and The Seagrass Initiative, MCS are also working on innovative mooring solutions that are less destructive.

Seagrass

Nudibranch

The Problem

Also known as sea slugs, nudibranchs live around the world, yet find their habitats threatened by degradation, pollution and overfishing.

What are we doing?

MCS is campaigning for more marine-protected areas to protect nudibranchs and their habitats from damaging activities.

Nudibranch

Humans

The problem

Okay, there may be over 7.5 billion of us, so we’re not exactly endangered...yet. But we will be if we fail to protect our vital seas and oceans.

What we should all be doing

Spreading the word, limiting use of single-use plastic, buying sustainably sourced seafood, recycling litter, respecting marine life...the list goes on.

Because the time to take the sea’s side is now – so come join us.

Humans
Together we can

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