Annual Review Protecting our seas, shores and wildlife

Transcription

1 Annual Review 2012 Protecting our seas, shores and wildlife

2 Foreword The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK s leading charity for the protection of our seas, shores and wildlife. Our coastal waters are under threat too many fish are taken out, too much rubbish thrown in and not enough given protection. For nearly 30 years MCS has dedicated its work to turning the tide on the neglect of our oceans. This Annual Review covers the period April 2011 to March 2012 a period of significant success for MCS. The year has seen continued unprecedented levels of action and interest in support of MCS key goals for marine wildlife protection, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and clean seas and beaches and our key achievements over the period are outlined in this review. Marine conservation is higher on the political and public agenda than it ever has been and this has resulted in some major opportunities for MCS to influence change and involve people in our fight for seas fit for life. MCS capacity to deliver on its ambitious conservation programme was further enhanced in 2011/12 with the receipt of two significant restricted streams of funding. These are allowing MCS to invest in the development of long-term sustainable fundraising and marketing activities to underpin future growth; to increase our capacity in conservation, communications and campaigns; to establish and support a volunteer network; and to establish the necessary administrative functions that support the organisation through a period of development and growth. We could not hope to achieve all that we do without the generous support of individuals and organisations and to all who have supported us we would like to say thank you for being part of the movement to save our seas. Thanks to the dedication and commitment of the staff and the many volunteers and supporters who give their time and energy all around the country and coast, the plight of our seas is being heard and MCS is driving action at all levels to protect our precious seas, shores and wildlife. Sam Fanshawe Chief Executive 02 Footnote: This summary review describes some of the key activities and outcomes of the Marine Conservation Society s (MCS) work during the year 1st April 2011 to 31st March It cannot be exhaustive, especially for a year of such considerable activity, but full information, together with detailed financial statements is reported in the full audited statutory accounts available from MCS Head Office.

3 Vision Uyea, Shetland Sean Morley Seas fit for life - clean seas and coasts that support abundant marine life, healthy fish stocks and enjoyment for all. Mission Lesser Spotted Dogfish Mark Thomas To achieve measurable improvements in the state of our seas, marine biodiversity and fish stocks through changes in government policy, industry practice and individual behaviour. Approach We believe that key drivers for change are to inform and involve a wide range of audiences and stakeholders in our work and influence decision makers through public engagement and collaboration, as well as through direct advocacy and campaigns. 03

4 2011/12 Highlights Informed 12,000 children to learn more about UK seas and marine life through our interactive Cool Seas Roadshow and website. 160,000 consumers on sustainable seafood choices, with the MCS Fish to Eat and Fish to Avoid, Pocket Good Fish Guide, Good Fish Guide Website and IApp. The aquaculture industry and European Parliament on the importance of sourcing alternative sustainable feeds for farmed fish. The European Commission and European Parliament on incorporation of an ecosystems approach to Common Fisheries Policy Reform. 250,000 beach users on the water quality of 758 beaches through the Good Beach Guide, allowing them to make informed choices on where to go. Millions of people on marine conservation issues with over 1,500 features in national print media, national radio and TV. 04 Bristol Festival of Nature Patrick Joel

5 Thanet Coast beach clean Tony Child Sorting catch Peter Duncan Involved 10,000 volunteers in the UK-wide MCS Beachwatch litter survey throughout the year. 10,000 people in voicing their opinion on marine protected areas through Your Seas Your Voice. Influenced The implementation of the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act and the Marine (Scotland) Act to better protect biodiversity through a network of Marine Protected Areas and to sustainably plan and manage activities at sea. Major supermarkets, catering companies, restaurants and fish and chip shops to stop selling any fish from the MCS Fish to Avoid list, and promoted the diversification of fish consumption to more sustainable choices. 05

6 Protecting marine life 06 Gravel sea cucumber Paul Naylor

7 MCS strategic goals: An ecologically coherent network of well managed marine protected areas which protects at least 30% of UK representative habitats from damaging and extractive activities. UK seas achieve Good Environmental Status and are exploited within clear and precautionary environmental limits. An appropriate system in place to monitor the status of marine biodiversity. The problem The oceans are losing their biodiversity at an ever faster rate, with formerly abundant species such as common skate and Atlantic halibut being listed as critically endangered. Around the world, marine reserves are proving to be effective at increasing populations of fish and shellfish and allowing habitats and species to recover from over-exploitation and damage. But, in the UK, less than 1% of our seas are fully protected from all damaging activities, and MCS believes that 30% is needed to provide adequate protection for biodiversity and commercially important species to thrive. Protecting our sea s biodiversity After a highly successful campaign to bring about the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, MCS has focused significant effort to make sure that an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas (MPAs) will be put in place. MCS staff and volunteers provided significant input to all four regional Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) projects in England which ultimately identified a network of 127 marine sites for consideration by Government. In Scotland, MCS played a prominent role in four stakeholder workshops for the Scottish MPA Project, and submitted seven areas as potential MPAs. MCS also advised the Welsh Government, and promoted the value of Welsh seas to the public through a wide variety of outreach work. MCS will continue to actively engage and input to the process for designating Marine Conservation Zones in Wales which started in As national co-ordinator of the Seasearch partnership project, MCS trained volunteer divers in marine habitat and species surveys and gathered over 2,000 site records with 849 species and over 4,000 habitats recorded. This data contributed 07

8 valuable biological information to the MPA processes in England, Scotland and Wales. Your Seas Your Voice Our Your Seas Your Voice initiative provided a platform for the public and recreational sea users to have their say on where and how MPAs should be protected. Better protection Alongside colleagues from ClientEarth, MCS continued to challenge Defra and the Marine Management Organisation to ensure effective implementation of the EC Habitats and Birds Directives to protect European Marine Sites from damaging activities. Currently, the damaging impacts of certain fishing activities are only dealt with after damage has been caused, whereas we believe that a more systematic and proactive approach is needed to protect sites before damage has occurred. This would serve to normalise the fishing industry with other industry sectors that are already required to undertake appropriate assessments of their impact when seeking to carry out their activities in sites protected under the Habitats Directive. Our actions have caused government to consider their position and we expect further progress in MCS continues to do all it can to ensure that the UK implements the Marine Strategy Framework Directive to achieve Good Environmental Status for our seas. MCS led on a joint NGO response to a consultation on the definition and targets for Good Environmental Status, providing expert input on fisheries, pollution and biodiversity. Wildlife surveys Wildlife reporting schemes for basking sharks, turtles and jellyfish continued to engage the public in monitoring these incredible native marine animals and developments to the online reporting pages now enable live updates on the distribution of sightings. Protecting turtles Overseas, the MCS Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Turtle Project completed its third year investigating the legal turtle harvest there by invitation of the TCI Government. The marine turtle management plan will be presented to the TCI Government in

9 Basking shark Charles Hood Seasearch divers Green turtle hatchling Peter Richardson Skate Paul Kay 09

10 Sustainable aquaculture and fisheries 10 Bridport Harbour Nigel Fryatt

11 MCS strategic goals: No sales of most at risk fish species in UK supermarkets or by top five fish suppliers, and more sustainable alternatives adopted. Adoption of improved production standards for fish farming, especially for feed sustainability. All wild fisheries in EU waters are managed sustainably. The problem The European Commission reports that more than 80% of EU fish stocks are overfished against a global average of 28%. In 2008, only 8 out of a total of 47 stocks around the UK were in a healthy state. As a result, the number of fish being caught is inevitably declining and now half of all fish for human consumption is raised on farms. Against this background both wild-capture and aquaculture production remain priorities for MCS action. Educating industry and the public As declines in fish stocks continue, and public awareness grows, the MCS Fishonline and Good Fish Guide website and pocket guide, which include lists of Fish to Eat and Fish to Avoid, have become the UK s key source of information on sustainable seafood. The Fishonline and Good Fish Guide websites provide advice to UK consumers and industry on over 150 species of seafood, giving a rating of 1-5 dependent on the relative sustainability of different stocks and fishing or farming methods used for each species. Over 150,000 Pocket Good Fish Guides were distributed to members of the public and a further 18,000 were downloaded from our website. We also added a new product to our consumer outreach programme through the development of a Good Fish Guide App for iphone. Influencing industry In 2011, our advice was included in Defra s Government Buying Standards for fish, a policy that says 100% of fish bought by public sector institutions directly controlled by Whitehall must meet MCS seafood sustainability standards. Our standards were also incorporated into those developed by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in their work with suppliers for the event. The MCS Sustainable Seafood Supermarket survey was published in December

12 The survey of eight major retailers has shaped changes in policy such as removal of fish to avoid and inclusion of only sustainable fishing and farming methods, leading to a marked reduction in sales of MCS Fish to Avoid in UK supermarkets. Aquaculture The way that farmed fish are fed and raised creates a number of conservation issues. During the past year, MCS helped shape an international standard to assess the sourcing and production of fishmeal and fish oil. MCS input to the Scottish Government consultation on the development of an Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill, which will shape how Scottish aquaculture will operate in future. Influencing governments The reform of the Common Fisheries Policy is at a crucial stage and MCS has been working to ensure that a revised policy: manages stocks in a way that will restore them to levels which can be sustainably exploited; ends the wasteful practice of discarding and minimises bycatch; addresses the issues of over capacity and ensures that resources are fairly distributed; and encourages environmental improvements. Supporting fisheries management International work continued on the Darwin Initiative funded project Managing coral reef fisheries for biodiversity, ecosystem and economic benefits (managed by MCS in collaboration with Marine Research Centre, Maldives). The Grouper Fishery Status Report and final Grouper Management Plan were presented to the Ministry of Fisheries and plans for monitoring, enforcement and surveillance were also developed and discussed with stakeholders. Work also started on a new programme in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park on Protection and regeneration of coral reefs threatened and degraded by destructive fishing, funded by the BBC Wildlife Fund. 12

13 Trout farm Seafood stall Bryce Beukers-Stewart Mixed catch Peter Richardson 13

14 Clean seas and beaches 14 Cornish coast Rachel Wyatt

15 MCS strategic goals: Litter levels on UK beaches reduced by 25% on 2008 levels. Water quality at 75% of UK bathing waters achieve the MCS Recommended standard. The problem Beaches are where most of us have our very first encounter with the sea and yet we don t always like what we find. Pollution from chemicals, sewage, oil and litter is not only a threat to marine life, it can also contaminate the fish we eat and ruin the natural beauty of our coasts. Tackling litter and pollution The MCS Beachwatch and Good Beach Guide campaigns are the authoritative voice on how litter and sewage affect Britain s seas and beaches and how individuals, Government and industry must act to reduce pollution around our coastline. During Beachwatch Big Weekend 2011, over 4,375 volunteers supported events at 335 beaches around the UK, collecting 247,914 litter items with an average of 1,741 items of litter per km of beach. The data on litter quantities, types and sources gathered by over 10,000 volunteers through Beachwatch Big Weekend and other surveys throughout the year, is used at national and international levels to inform and promote actions by government, industry and the public to reduce litter levels in future. Influencing government MCS has lobbied the UK Government and devolved administrations for many years to take action on the issue, and as a result action is being taken at last. In Scotland, MCS advised the Scottish Government on proposals for an effective litter strategy which will be consulted on in In Wales, MCS was instrumental in persuading the Welsh Government to introduce a charge for single use carrier bags. The levy covers all types of single use carrier bag plastic, paper and plant-based starch and makes Wales the only UK country so far to have taken this positive step. 15

16 These examples will, we hope, add weight to our call for a litter strategy and plastic bag levy to be introduced in England. MCS bought to public attention the issue of balloon and sky lantern releases, both of which can cause harm to wildlife. Through high profile awareness campaigns, MCS successfully encouraged many event organisers, businesses and public bodies to change balloon release plans in favour of more eco-friendly celebrations. Water quality The 2011 Good Beach Guide was published online, with information on the water quality and sewage discharges at UK beaches. MCS recommended 461 UK beaches out of 758 tested for water quality the 3rd highest number in the Guide s 24 year history. However, 46 beaches failed to meet the basic Mandatory standard, despite the ongoing and significant investment made in sewage treatment. This highlighted the need to address the problem of discharges from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) and MCS will be increasing its focus on this area to promote additional measures needed to reduce CSO discharges. Influencing governments As a direct consequence of the Good Beach Guide launch, highlighting the poor state of Northern Ireland s bathing waters, the Environment Minister called the first ever Good Beach Summit, attended by MCS. During this, we sought, and received, the Minister s backing for a marine litter strategy and action plan for the Province, along with his support for a single-use plastic bag levy. 16

17 Rockpool Stuart Askew Couple enjoying the coast Tim Fanshawe Beach clean volunteers Alan Jones The 2011 Good Beach Guide was published online, with information on the water quality and sewage discharges at UK beaches. Collected beach litter Jacki Clarke 17

18 Education and outreach Involving children MCS brought the rich and varied biodiversity of our seas to life for 12,000 children with the Cool Seas Roadshow, featuring life-sized marine animal models and tailored resources for teachers and children. This highly visual and memorable roadshow visited 86 schools and events throughout the year, enhanced with the development of a Bottle Champions recycling challenge in partnership with Plastics Schools have been encouraged to collect and recycle plastic bottles, in return for which they can earn a sports kit made from recycled plastic. There was also the development of the new Cool Seas Puppet Roadshow, with the Lempen Puppet theatre which will tour in Involving the public Clyde Marine Week, MCS first wildlife festival, was held from 29th July - 4th August events were held in locations around the whole Clyde area, from Helensburgh and Ardentinny in the north to Culzean and Campbeltown in the south. Sea Champions Following the success of our Sea Champions pilot in Wales and thanks to funding from Marks & Spencer through the Forever Fish partnership, we were able to launch our Sea Champions volunteer programme nationally in March Four regional volunteer co-ordinators will recruit a network of individuals to champion MCS and marine conservation action in their local area. Increased reach MCS reach to people throughout the UK has continued to grow and the charity reached an audience of over 170 million over the year, through its ever-growing presence in the media with news stories in the press and broadcast media. MCS continued to provide expertise and comment for a wide range of broadcast programmes, including BBC s The One Show, Newsround, Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Channel 4 s Fish Fight series. MCS online presence continued to attract in excess of 100,000 unique visitors per month, across its four websites. Our social networking activities have been especially successful with the number of followers on both Facebook and Twitter doubling over the past year. 18

19 Income and expenditure Income 2011/2012 Subscriptions and fees receivable 4 % Donations, legacies, appeals and royalties 25 % Investment Income 1 % Grant Income 70 % Expenditure 2011/2012 Fundraising costs of voluntary income 12 % Membership recruitment and services 11 % Educational and promotional costs 14 % Conservation programmes 62 % Governance Costs 1 % Sally Sharrock MCS capacity to deliver on its ambitious conservation programme was further enhanced in 2011/12 with the receipt of two important restricted streams of funding. These are allowing MCS to invest in development of long-term sustainable fundraising and marketing activities to underpin future growth; to increase our national capacity in conservation, communications and campaigns; to establish and support a volunteer network; and to establish administrative functions that support the organisation through a period of development and growth. Whilst this represents a significant level of support for MCS, the restricted nature of this support means that MCS will still rely on and solicit generous donations to support our ongoing activities and to cover our core costs. 19

20 Our supporters The Marine Conservation Society would like to thank all the individuals and organisations that have supported the Society s work in the period to 31st March Organisations, companies, charitable trusts and foundations giving grants of 1,000 or more towards specific conservation projects: Amanyara Resort BBC Wildlife Fund Morrison Bowmore British Chelonia Group British Plastics Federation Countryside Council for Wales Defra Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Environment Wales Fat Face Foundation Geraldine Kirkpatrick Charitable Trust Global Ocean IFFO J & JR Wilson Trust John Ellerman Foundation Lighthouse Foundation Lyndsays Marks & Spencer Plc Marine Biological Association National Marine Aquarium Natural England Northern Ireland Government Ocean Conservancy People s Postcode Lottery PPS Group Royal National Lifeboat Institution Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts Save Our Seas Foundation Scottish Environment Link Scottish Natural Heritage Sealife Centre Seas at Risk Selfridges The Craignish Trust The Deep Tubney Charitable Trust Waterloo Foundation Wales Council for Voluntary Action 20

21 Organisations and companies supporting MCS with contributions of 1,000 or more in unrestricted funds: Blackrock Marks & Spencer Plc Debenhams Organico Realfood Ltd Deutsche Bank Primrose Valley Hotel EDF Energy Prospects4Employment EWOS Ltd Pure Blue Fat Face Foundation Royal Carribean Cruiselines Fogarty & Wilkinson Rudding Gates Green Insurance Company SeaFrance Ltd Harbour & Jones The Royal Park Foundation Loch Duart Ltd Turtle Mat Company Aughrusbeg shallows Mark Thomas 21

22 Charitable and company trusts giving a donation of 500 or more: 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust A & F Rubens Charitable Trust Albert Reckitt Charitable Trust Barker Charitable Trust Ltd Benham Charitable Settlement Blair Foundation Bromley Trust C J Cadbury Trust CAF - Portobella Fund Calleva Foundation Chapman Charitable Trust Coutts Charitable Trust Derek & Clare Stevens Charitable Trust Dr L H A Pilkington Charitable Trust Duke of Cornwall s Benevolent Trust Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust Inc George A Moore Foundation Gilbert & Eileen Edgar Foundation Golden Bottle Trust Hamer Charitable Trust Henhurst Foundation John Coates Charitable Trust John Cowan Foundation Johnson Matthey Joseph & Lena Randall Charitable Trust Langdale Trust Millichope Foundation N M Rothschild & Sons Ltd Oakdale Trust Peacock Charitable Trust Percy Hedley Charitable Trust Pilkington Charity Fund Ratcliff Foundation Rhododendron Trust Saints & Sinners Trust Sandringham Charitable Trust Sir John Fisher Foundation Symon Charitable Trust The Annandale Charitable Trust The Arnold Burton 1998 Charitable Trust The Bullough Tompson Charitable Trust The John Slater Foundation The Joseph Strong Frazer Trust The Leslie Mary Carter Charitable Trust The Linmardon Trust The Misses Barrie Charitable Trust The Mitchell Trust The Norman Family Charitable Trust The Princes Charities Foundation The Rainford Trust The Spears Charitable Trust The St Mary s Charity The Valentine Charitable Trust The WM Mann Foundation Thomas Lilley Memorial Trust Vandervell Foundation Waynflete Charitable Trust William Dean Trust Woodpecker Trust 22 MCS expresses its gratitude to the many Trusts who granted other donations or wish to remain anonymous.

23 Legacies: Donations were gratefully received in memory of Dr P Lumley, Mr B & Mrs N Pattenden, Ms C Stackhouse, Mr C R Carr, Mr T Crine, Mrs B Goldberg, Ms J Fischer, Miss M Roberts, Mr M Hoskins, Mr K Cheeseman. Patrons, supporters, members and groups: MCS would like to thank its members and Local Groups for their support and fundraising effort over the year. Thanks also to all the volunteers who supported MCS projects and/or gathered vital information through Beachwatch, Seasearch, Jellyfish, Basking Shark and Turtle Watch and Your Seas Your Voice. Also to the many individual and community participants, dive clubs, sports clubs, youth and member organisations and school and college students who raised money to support the work of the Marine Conservation Society. Cornish coast Rachel Wyatt 23

24 Seal Janice Alamanou Please join MCS today and be part of the movement to save our seas Our wonderful seas, shores and wildlife are under threat and we can t care for our seas without support from people just like you. Our vital conservation work is largely funded by the public, and it s thanks to this support that MCS continues to speak up for our seas. You can help us achieve so much by becoming a member for as little as 2.75 a month. Become a member online at or call us on Marine Conservation Society Overross House, Ross Park, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7US Beach clean volunteers at The Knap Tel: info@mcsuk.org Web: Registered Charity No (England and Wales): Registered Charity No (Scotland): SC037480