Scottish Sea Champion hands in thousands of pledges for marine protection

Thanks to Sea Champions who gave a big push on the Scottish MPA campaign this Spring! The Scottish Sea Champions have been hitting events, outdoor shows and museum open days across Scotland and giving talks to Rotary clubs, schools, wildlife clubs and Cub Scouts.

Their hard work resulted in a whopping 3,750 pledges of support that Sea Champion Sarah Conner and MCS staff recently handed to the Environment Secretary. The next step will be to take part in the consultation. Watch this space!

Sea Champion Sarah Conner handing thousands of pledges to Richard Lochhead at The Scottish Parliament.

Dave completes biggest cycle ride of his life!

Fundraiser Dave Luckhurst from near Bishop's Castle in Shropshire, arrived at Land's End at 5:45pm on Thursday after cycling for 39 days and 1,220 miles all the way from John O' Groats.

Hundreds of cyclists every year take on the enormous challenge but Dave wanted to do something different as the regular route just wasn't challenging enough. So he did it off-road as much as possible!

Using bridleways, forest trails, canal towpaths, mountain tracks and disused railway lines, Dave aimed to achieve as much as 50% off road. On a mountain bike, with a trailer! Scotland provided the highest amount of off-road possibilities, ranging from 70-100% each day, but as he progressed south the opportunities became less, so only 15-20% was possible by the time he got to the SW region.

"The highlight has to be going through Scotland where I cycled through all seasons. Spring suddenly caught up with Summer with an explosion of colour and growth - hedgerows and wild flower meadows were awash with colour, it was truly amazing, and certainly a life-changing experience."

"Even after I’ve completed the ride, I’d like to see others trying it, improving it, modifying it, finding parallel routes." says Dave. Find out more at www.dave-in-the-rough.co.uk

Everyone at MCS is in awe of his achievement! We are incredibly grateful for the fundraising he has been doing too, which will go a long way to help protect our amazing seas. Dave has raised over £400 for MCS and Greenpeace and if you’ve been inspired you can sponsor him here or if you’d like to take on a challenge yourself, please get in touch with the fundraising team via fundraising@mcsuk.org



Intrepid cyclist Dave Luckhurst stops off at MCS HQ for some cake and to talk about just how much he wants to Marine Conservation Zones work in English and offshore Welsh seas.

 

and finally, at Land's End after 1,220 miles and 39 days cycling!

Death of Ron Crosby

We are sorry to announce that Ron Crosby, a founder member of the Marine Conservation Society, and Chairman of the Lancashire MCS Local Group for many years, passed away on Sunday evening (23rd June 2013) after a short illness.

He was a driving force behind the group for some years, and we will miss his enthusiasm, knowledge and unrivalled experience of diving in the UK. He was also active in a number of globally significant marine wildlife conservation projects, particularly that in the Chagos Islands.

Our thoughts are with his wife Rita, also a staunch supporter of the group, and his family.

Ron Crosby on the summit of Ben Nevis in 2006 during the 3-Peaks challenge, a fund raising event for National MCS.

"Hang on to your tackle" gets going in Scotland

The “Hang on to your tackle!” pilot has began in Scotland with the first angling litter bins installed.

Sea Champions helped fundraise for the bins at Big Beach Clean-up events, before installing the bins at two beaches in Fife, to help reduce discarded tackle on our beaches. Look out for more bins popping up around Scotland - the next four have been kindly purchased by the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust.

Would you like to get involved in the "Hang on to your tackle" campaign? You can download support materials here or contact your Volunteer Coordinator.

Our new angling litter bins in Fife - these ones are at Kingsbars and at Ruby Bay, Elie.

Sustainable Fish City?

Brighton and Hove may become a “Sustainable Fish City” and Sea Champions Becky and Atlanta are fully in support! Back in September 2012, the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership held a public meeting to discuss the idea, which was overwhelmingly positive.

Since then, Becky and Atlanta have been attending events which included a screening of the ‘End of the Line’ and discussions to increase understanding of sustainable fish choices. Momentum is building, with the MCS Good Fish Guide being used to highlight sustainable fish and to promote local shops and fishmongers who are taking active steps to improve their sustainability.

Watch this space for developments, and contact Ed if you’d like to get involved.

BBC Summer of Wildlife in Cardiff!

Welsh Sea Champions  made their way down to Cardiff at the weekend to inspire kids and families about our amazing marine life around Wales at the BBC's Summer of Wildlife event.

Big thanks to Jo, Josella, Andrea and Kate who got over 130 kids involved in the "Paint a Fish" campaign. Although a simple activity of colouring in a fish picture, each fish has a strong message to EU leaders, asking them to take action to refill our seas!

Take a look at the virtual fish stock at www.paintafish.org

Families also learned about some of the weird and wonderful things that wash ashore in Wales.

Are there any upcoming events near you? Anyone can help get our messages across. Get in touch with your Volunteer Coordinator for support.

Sea Champion Jo leading a mini "Seashore Safari" 

Can you take on the challenge?

This summer people all over the country will be taking part in the Ecover Blue Mile - the mass participation event that encourages the nation to get active and enjoy the natural environment at the same time.

Sea Champions across the UK are busy planning "blue" events. Fancy having a go at kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding? Or perhaps you’d prefer swimming, or surfing, or even walking beside a river? Interested? Then check out www.thebluemile.org and help us raise a target of £50,000 to help protect our seas, shores and wildlife.

You can do anything you like for an Ecover Blue Mile. Sea Champion Hannah Chilton has organised the “March of the Mermaids” along Brighton sea front, and Sea Champions Jane Cummings and Pat O’Connell have just completed a sponsored beach clean and litter survey near Portishead.  You could even hold a Big Blue Day in your work place!

Are you a swimmer? Last year, Sea Champion Karli Drinkwater took part in the Big Sea Swim in Eastbourne raising over £700! Would you like to take part in this year’s Big Sea Swim?

Check back soon for updates on Ecover Blue Mile events organised by fellow Sea Champions.