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MCS urge full protection from damaging activities as proposed marine conservation zones are revealed

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) welcomes the announcement of 127 potential Marine Conservation Zones around England’s coast. Protected sites are desperately needed to protect our seas so that marine habitats and ecosystems can begin to recover from decades of degradation.

The sites have been selected through government-appointed regional projects, with industry and other stakeholders selecting sites that are ecologically important, but also considered acceptable on socio-economic grounds.

While this process has resulted in some heated negotiations and concessions, with some important ecological sites removed from the list due to industry concerns, overall consensus and support for the sites has been reached. We urge the Government to accept these stakeholder recommendations, and to designate the network as promised in 2012.

Balanced Seas final report for the South east region.

marine conservation society sea me

Rare jellyfish found on Kent's shores

October 2011. Kent Wildlife Trust's Marine Officer, Becky Hitchin, made an exciting discovery on the shores of Thanet - a significant breeding population of rare stalked jellyfish.

"This is a wonderful find," said Becky Hitchin, Marine Officer at Kent Wildife Trust. "We've known that these delicate and rare animals have existed around Thanet for a while, but we've never before found so many together in one place. In Walpole Bay, it seems we have a large breeding population, with lots of both adults and juveniles.

Two species:

"In actual fact, there are two different species here, and both are very rare."
The Trust's Marine Policy Officer, Bryony Chapman, continued: "This new find emphasizes the importance of the Thanet coast for its very special chalk reefs and the diversity of species they support. These stalked jellyfish are among the rare and important species that are highlighted for special protection in Marine Conservation Zones, due for designation in 2012."

Prehistoric bloodsucker in Thames

An ancient blood-sucking fish has been found in the Thames by a 13-year-old boy.

The sea lamprey, an eel-like creature with a sucker-shaped mouth surrounded by teeth, predates the dinosaurs.

But they only venture into fresh water to breed if it is very clean, which is why experts said Oscar Bridge's find is significant.

In the 1960s the Thames was so polluted scientists declared it "biologically extinct" after a survey.

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Politicians must listen to evidence from World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

A team from MCS has just returned from the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity in Aberdeen with the message that the incredible research in the field must be used as a basis for change and improvement.

Sue Ranger, MCS Stakeholder Engagement Officer, says one thing standing in the way of change for our oceans is lack of political will combined with economic concerns.

The event, held in Aberdeen, attracted 952 delegates from 72 countries. MCS were busy giving seven talks, chairing five sessions and allowing four experts the opportunithy to talk at the conference by providing four travel bursaries.

The event brought together everyone from scientists to members of the public with the aim of taking forward biodiversity research and conservation in the worlds oceans.

Mike Dilger goes underwater at Norfolk's chalk reef

Naturalist Mike Dilger joins an underwater diving expedition to survey Norfolk's coastal chalk reef in a new BBC TV documentary.

This rare habitat is teeming with marine life including purple sea slugs, orange anemones, sea squirts, and small crabs that camouflage themselves by sticking seaweed to their shells.

The water is so clear it is hard to believe this is not the Red Sea, yet it is a stone's throw from the windswept beaches of Norfolk.

Britain's Great Reef will be broadcast on Monday, 10 October at 19:30 BST on BBC One East and available afterwards on BBC iPlayer.

Rare seahorse found in the River Thames, London

A rare seahorse has been found in the River Thames deep into London for the first time - suggesting a colony may be present.

The short-snouted seahorse - which can grow up to 6in (15cm) long - was discovered in the river at Greenwich.

Although they are found on the south coast this is the furthest upriver the species has been discovered.

The fact this seahorse was a juvenile, just 5cm long, suggests a breeding colony may be in the river.

Tracking Turtles in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Our Turks and Caicos Islands Project has been carrying out research in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) since 2008 in a bid to improve the management of the traditional and legitimate turtle fishery that still operates there. This work includes cutting-edge satellite tracking of green and hawksbill turtles allowing us to follow the turtle's lives at sea.

support our Marine Conservation Zones

This is an urgent plea for you to help ensure that the Marine Conservation Zones network of 127 sites just proposed by stakeholder groups isn’t reduced down to just a few sites by the Government!

Please could you all write urgently to the Defra Minister, Richard Benyon to support designation of all 127 recommended Marine Conservation Zones.

All the information you need is here: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/saveourmczs

The recommended sites represent a compromise position, so they aren’t perfect from a conservation point of view, but if they were all implemented properly as a network, it would represent a massive step towards recovery of our seas. If only a few sites go forward, all the work done over the last 2 years since the Marine Act was passed will be completely undermined.

New Zealand attacks Japan's decision to resume whaling

New Zealand has condemned Japan's decision to resume whaling in Antarctic waters later this year.

The New Zealand government described the seas around Antarctica as its neighbourhood, and called Japan's whaling plans "entirely disrespectful".

Wellington also expressed concern at Japan's plans to increase security to protect its whaling fleet.

Last year Japan cut short its whaling season because of harassment from anti-whaling activists.

Download the Good Fish Guide

The Marine Conservation Society’s Pocket Good Fish Guide puts YOU in control.

You can safeguard the future of our fisheries and other marine wildlife by only choosing fish from sustainable sources.

The Pocket Good Fish Guide tells you which fish are the best sustainable choices, which fish you should avoid completely, and the fish you can eat just occasionally to limit pressure on their stocks.

http://www.goodfishguide.co.uk /pocket-goodfishguide

BSoUP

Interested in underwater photography?
BSoUP is the largest underwater photographic society in Britain, catering for both film and digital photographers.

MCS South East Calendar

MCS South East Calendar : If any one has any events which they think members will be interested in, please let us know and we will add them to the calendar.