Marine Conservation Society

Glass bottles shown on an illustrated wave pattern with text explaining Wales can include glass in their DRS for drinks containers.

A image of someone cleaning their hands with a wet wipe and text explaining Scotland has banned the sale of wet wipes containing plastic.

A deep blue, calm sea image with text explaining large areas of the global ocean will be protected from damaging activities now the High Seas Treaty has passed Royal Assent.

Three cheers for ocean wins!

This week we’ve had some great news for our seas:

1) Wales can include glass in their DRS (October 2027)
2) Plastic in wet wipes banned in Scotland (like the rest of the UK)
3) The UK Government is one big step closer to ratifying the High Seas Treaty.

@kalidels.bsky.social thanks so much for that 😀. It seems to be working for most people, so we're not sure what the problem was there.

Positive ocean news 🌊

With the High Seas Treaty and France's ban on PFAS now in force, to a boost in whale numbers and rescued manatees, there's plenty of ocean optimism to enjoy this month

Head to our blog to discover the latest ocean news 👉 mcsuk.org/positive-ocean-news-january-26

We asked some of our amazing volunteers why oysters are so important for our ocean, and how restoring their populations can help our seas thrive once again 🌊

By donating just £9.72, you can help grow a dozen baby oysters to restore our shores 👉 actmcs.org/oyster-hero-bsky

Merry Christmas! A huge thank you to all of you who follow along and help us to protect our seas and marine wildlife 🌊

We hope you have a wonderful festive break🎄

Did you know that for just £9.72 you can grow a dozen baby oysters?

Our wonderful volunteers share what makes them such ocean superheroes!

Donate now or give as a gift and get an e-card in time for the big day! https://actmcs.org/oyster-hero-bsky

What’s small, unsung and secretly super? 🦪 Native oysters! These unlikely ocean heroes are busy cleaning our seas, rebuilding habitats and boosting marine biodiversity.

But they can’t do it alone. Donate today!
actmcs.org/oyster-hero-bsky

Wow, what a year it's been for oyster restoration. We're so proud to be part of this project!

Positive ocean news 🌊

With COP30 commitments, legislation banning wet wipes containing plastic, species discoveries and restoration of superhero species like oysters and seagrass, it's been a great month for ocean wins

Dive into the full stories 👉 mcsuk.org/positive-ocean-news-november-25

If we had one minute with the PM, what would we ask for? Find out in our guest Rewilding The World Podcast with Ben Goldsmith

COP30: What about the ocean? COP30: What about the ocean?

COP30 wrapped up last week - but what about the ocean?

From bold commitments to gaps that still need action, we dive into how the ocean featured in climate negotiations and why it’s central to the fight against climate change 🌍

Read the full insights: https://www.mcsuk.org/news/cop30-insights/

It was a fantastic opportunity to show the power of community-led ocean action. A huge thank you to The Prince for taking the time to visit, and for being such a strong advocate for our seas 💙🌊

Yesterday we welcomed The Prince of Wales to Colwyn Bay. The Prince met Youth Ocean Network members and volunteers from our Hiraeth Yn Y Môr project to hear about their work on ocean literacy, coastal heritage and wellbeing.

1/2 👇

The Bathing Water results for England are out 🌊
- 93% Bathing Water sites in England met at least 'Minimum' Bathing Water standards
- 66% also meet the highest ‘Excellent’ standard
- 7% were rated as ‘Poor’

Read more on our blog 👇
https://www.mcsuk.org/news/bathing-water-results-2025/

A big thank you to Ben Goldsmith for inviting us on the Rewilding the World podcast.Ben and our CEO @oceansandy.bsky.social discuss our Atlantic Coast project, which aims to restore vital species & habitats like seagrass meadows, kelp forests & native oyster reefs

Out now! The Winter 2025 edition of Your Ocean, our award-winning members' magazine is here!

Take a sneak peak of what's in store and become a member today (plus it's the perfect gift...)

👉 https://actmcs.org/OctopusProfile

@naturetravels.co.uk thank you so much for your wonderful support! 🐟

It's a normal function for the oysters, it's how they feed, they are natural filter feeders. It's not harmful to them. There are strict rules in the UK on legislation around oysters grown for human consumption, however.

Did you know oysters are tiny water treatment plants? 🦪

Every single oyster can filter up to 200 litres of water a day, improving  water quality and tackling ocean pollution. 

With just £9.72, you can help us grow a dozen oysters so they can clean up our ocean 👉 actmcs.org/oyster-hero-bsky

3 compass jellyfish swim in bright blue water. Large white text reads 'we're hiring' and our Marine Conservation Society logo is in the bottom right hand corner.

Dream job alert: Social Media Manager

A fantastic opportunity to bring our conservation stories to life, collaborate with brilliant colleagues and grow engagement and action for our seas.

Full-time, remote, supportive team, great benefits: https://www.mcsuk.org/work-for-us/current-vacancies/

Did you know that turtles visit UK and Irish waters? This year, we received 12 reports of marine turtle sightings: 1 loggerhead, 9 leatherbacks and 2 unidentified 🐢

Read our full #WildlifeSightings report here 👉 mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/citizen-science/sightings/dive-into-the-data

Seagrass, mussels, kelp, and native oysters filter pollutants, capture carbon, and protect habitats. They are the League of Unlikely Ocean Heroes! But they’re facing dire challenges, from dredging to climate change.

By donating today, they can thrive again 👉 actmcs.org/oyster-hero-bsky

Introducing... The League of Unlikely Ocean Heroes! 🦸 Seagrass, mussels, kelp and native oysters filter pollutants, capture carbon and protect habitats. But they’re facing challenges from dredging to climate change.

Help them thrive again by donating today 👉 https://actmcs.org/oyster-hero-bsky

Reloop has been working with @mcsuk.bsky.social to produce three short films that show how Europe is leading the way with deposit return and reusable cup systems.

Join us on 25 November to see the first film and hear from our expert panel.

www.reloopplatform.org/events/film-...

It’s #WorldJellyfishDay! To celebrate these ocean superstars, we’re sharing the findings from your #JellyfishSightings over the past year. We received a whopping 1327 reports 🙌

You can check out the full report here -> mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/citizen-science/sightings/dive-into-the-data

Join our webinar on Deposit Return & Reusable Cup Schemes with @reloop.bsky.social's Jenni Hume

25 Nov 2025 🗓️
12:30–13:30 GMT ⏰

Register now 👉 actmcs.org/ReloopWebinar

#DepositReturn #CircularEconomy

📷: Karen Mason/Marine Conservation Society/Reloop

Great work guys! Thanks so much!

Positive Ocean News 🌊

In need of a mid-week pick-me-up? Our latest round-up of good news stories has you covered.

Dive into our blog for some ocean optimism 👉 mcsuk.org/news/positive-ocean-news-october-25

This year’s #GreatBritishBeachClean shows the power of people protecting our coasts and seas. 🌍

Read the results 👉 https://www.mcsuk.org/news/great-british-beach-clean-2025-the-results/

@acemyrddin.bsky.social thank you so much! Good luck from all of us at mcsuk! 🐳🦭