MCS Plymouth Local Group

The MCS Plymouth Local Group supports MCS campaigns. Please see below for more information in individual campaigns.

The MCS Plymouth Local Group ran two beach cleans on Saturday 12th January 2008 at Jennycliffe and Batten Bay.

During the cleanups, we found a large number of plastic pieces which we could not immediately identify. We sent some of these pieces to the MCS and they have been positively identified as shotgun cartridge wads. However, they are not the military type that we usually find and are more likely to have come from clay-pigeon shooting.

Plastics cause huge problems in the marine environment as they take years to biodegrade. They never fully break down, instead forming microscopic plastic particles that may be ingested by filter feeders. Plastics are responsible for the deaths of thousands of marine animals every year, through ingestion and entanglement.

We have since found more of the shotgun cartridge wads on the beaches at Wembury and Bovisand. We are very concerned about where these wads are coming from and are trying to pinpoint their specific source. We would be grateful if anyone who may have information on their origins could contact us on mcsplymouthlocalgroup@hotmail.com.

Marine litter can have a devastating effect on wildlife and we fully support the aims of the Marine Conservation Society to protect and care for our seas, shores and wildlife. We recently appealed for information on the source of the wads via an article in the Herald - click here for details.

Below are photographs of some of the wads found on the beaches at Wembury and Jennycliffe.

We would be grateful if anyone with information on the wads could contact us on the above email address.

Marine Reserves Now!

The MCS has been campaigning to government to set up a network of Marine Protected Areas of national importance, which would include Highly Protected Marine Reserves - areas where any damaging activity is excluded. We currently have less than one thousandth of one percent of our inshore waters fully protected (one site at Lundy Island) - scientists recommend 20-30% of our seas should be fully protected. Over 60% of UK fisheries are unsustainable, and delicate long-lived species continue to be damaged by bottom trawling.

Evidence from abroad has shown that Marine Reserves can benefit divers, anglers, fishermen and biodiversity. New Zealand has 32 Marine Reserves, and 33% of the Great BArrier Reef is highly protected - many reserves has resulted in increased fish and shellfish populations, whislt biodiversity is protected from destruction, mining and development.

You can help to pursuade the government that the general public and businesses alike, once they understand the situation, are strong advocates for greater protection of our seas.

HOW TO HELP:

1. Add to the MCS photo campaign:
Order a 'Marine Reserves Now' poster, and take pictures of yourself and your friends with a digital camera, holding the poster. Send your photo to the MCS, to jls@mcsuk.org. They will add your images to their online gallery.

2. Vote online:
You can see and vote for Marine Reserves at www.marinereservesnow.org.uk. To date, over 19,000 people have voted for Marine Reserves. It's simple, quick and sends a powerful message to government from the general public about the need for Marine Reserves. The camapign closes on Thursday 20th March so don't delay, vote today!

The MCS Plymouth Local Group supports the Marine Reserves Now campaign and has been taking photos of it's volunteers with the Marine Reserves Now poster to submit to the MCS photo campaign. We have also been collecting signatures for the Marine Reserves Now petition. Click the link below to see photos of our volunteers who support the Marine Reserves Now campaign.

Click here to see our Marine Reserves Now! Campaign Gallery!

Don't Let Go!

"Don't Let Go!" is the new MCS balloon awareness campaign. Balloons that are let go outside often burst and the balloon pieces that float down cause problems for wildlife. Balloon litter floating at sea is deadly for many marine wildlife species. Marine turtles and some seabirds are particularly at risk, as they feed upon prey that floats at the surface. They may mistake floating balloons for their jellyfish prey and swallow them, or become entangled and drown. Once swallowed, a balloon may block the digestive tract and eventually lead to death by starvation. Some whales, dolphins and fish are also known to have died as a result of eating balloons.

The MCS Plymouth Local Group supports the Don't Let Go! campaign. We will have Don't Let Go! leaflets available at our monthly meetings and will be encouraging our members to sign the Don't Let Go! petition.

You can download the Don't Let Go! campaign pack from the MCS website.

Banish the bags!

The MCS Plymouth Local Group was delighted to see the Daily Mail's new "Banish the Bags" campaign on 25th February 2008. The campaign aims to help rid the UK of plastic bag litter. You can read more about the campaign on the Daily Mail website and more about plastic bags on the MCS website.

Plastic litter can have devastating effects on the environment. It is estimated to kill over one million birds and 100,000 marine mammals and turtles every year through ingestion and entanglement. Additionally, it is a health hazard and a deterrent to tourism, and can foul fishing gear and become entangled in boat propellers. It costs many millions of pounds every year to clean up and dispose of plastic litter.

MCS beach litter surveys indicate that, over the last ten years, beach litter has increased by 80%. Plastics consistently account for more than 50% of all litter recorded.

If you would like to support the campaign and sign the Daily Mail's petition to ban plastic bags, please click here.