Marine Conservation Society Annual Impact Report 2019-20
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ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2019–20 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR 3 A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE 4 OUR STRATEGY OUR GOALS 6 HOW WE ACHIEVE OUR GOALS 7 OUR THEORY OF CHANGE 8 OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS 10 GOOD GOVERNANCE 12 BEHAVIOUR CHANGE 18 A SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE ECONOMY 26 THE NEED FOR A ROBUST AND COMPELLING EVIDENCE BASE 32 SECURING THE MEANS 38 CHALLENGES AND OBJECTIVES 46 FINANCIAL REVIEW 48 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT 52 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 54 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 56 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUPPORT 74 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 76 SUNSTAR ON KELP, LOCH LEVEN MARK KIRKLAND 2 A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2019–20 INTRODUCTION A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR I am delighted to have joined as THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR SEAS FOR WELLBEING HAS NEVER MATTERED Chair of the Marine Conservation MORE. HEALTHY SEAS SUSTAIN US IN SO MANY WAYS, AS A SOURCE OF Society and to be writing the FOOD AND JOY, AND, NOT LEAST, THROUGH THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO foreword for my first Impact THE AIR WE BREATHE AND THE STABILITY OF OUR CLIMATE. Report with the charity. What a year it has been. Throughout Moving forward, we will be 2019-20 we were travelling on the working to reach out to politicians, crest of a wave – with the best ever businesses, communities and year for fundraising and increasing partner organisations to ensure awareness of environmental issues that our generation truly can be the meaning we were optimistic about one that achieves a step change in seeing big transformational change. restoring the health of our ocean and offer everyone the opportunity The pandemic hit just before to enjoy its great beauty. year-end making this a critical time to take on the Chair role. I must take this opportunity to It is to the enormous credit of thank Hugh Raven, who stepped our committed trustees, staff, down as Chair in December, volunteers and supporters that and also Alex Wilson, who we have been able to rise so then acted as Chair before my effectively to the challenges, arrival. Both have contributed so finding new ways of working to much to the organisation and provide a persuasive voice for the helped guide its growth and the ocean during lockdown. We are turbulent times as Covid-19 hit. indebted to our supporters for their continuing support as we all Like many of our supporters I adapt. We are determined to work have always had a passion for the together to emerge strengthened ocean: fossil hunting on wave- by the pace of change the battered shores, sitting on a bench pandemic has triggered. Our with grandparents watching the dedicated team and ambitious sun set in Blackpool, the delight strategy put us in good stead. of taking my own children on their first seaside trips and the awe and wonder of snorkelling and whale watching. It’s this passion that drives the whole organisation forward: an incredible team, working together to fight for the future of our ocean. Amanda Nobbs CURLED OCTOPUS, SHETLAND KIRSTY ANDREWS INTRODUCTION 3 A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE Writing this in the summer of 2020, Our teams worked with local with everything that has happened partners in the Caribbean in since the start of our new financial developing proposals that will year in April, makes last year seem improve the resilience of marine very far away. So it’s good to take resources and strengthen marine a moment to reflect on what was a conservation, and we look forward year of both fantastic successes and to the expansion of this work. significant frustration. In Scotland and Wales we have been able to engage closely with Years and years of data collection parliaments and governments by our Seasearch volunteers, to influence proposed fisheries parliamentary advocacy and public management and marine campaigning paid off when the last conservation frameworks. tranche of 41 marine conservation zones (MCZs) in England were finally WE REACHED MORE PEOPLE AND ENGAGED WITH NEW AUDIENCES – designated. FROM SCHOOL CHILDREN TO BEACH CLEAN ORGANISERS; ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS TO CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS; SOCIAL MEDIA AND In the political arena, post EU-exit PUBLIC CAMPAIGN SUPPORT TO SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS. fisheries and environmental legislation started and stalled more None of this would be possible Of course, this does not mean we times than it is healthy to remember, without the passionate and will be quiet! and our policy and advocacy determined dedication of our staff teams were forced to submit and and without the incredible support There will be even more need for resubmit the same arguments over from our donors, supporters and public engagement, campaigning, and over again. Impressively, our volunteers. I would like to say a citizen science and political teams managed to keep key marine huge and heartfelt thank you for this advocacy. In the face of the nature conservation and sustainability and hope that this Annual Impact and climate emergencies, effective amendments in the running Report will show how much has management of marine protected throughout all of this, which we will been achieved. areas, sustainable fisheries continue to fight for. management and steps towards We were hoping to continue on the a circular economy are even more same trajectory but Covid-19 has crucial than before. meant that for 2020-21 we have had to revise our budget and reduce our We are also working on how we income expectations by at least 31%. can improve representation and inclusion in everything we do, and in future we plan to report on this in our Annual Impact Report. Sandy Luk Chief Executive, MCS 4 A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2019–20 SUNFISH PETER BARDSLEY INTRODUCTION 5 OUR STRATEGY OUR GOALS x ENVIRONMENTAL Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture UK COVERAGE OF VOLUNTEER-CLEANED NUMBER OF We will ensure there are more fish WELL-MANAGED MARINE BEACHES PER YEAR VOLUNTEERS in healthier seas, improve the way PROTECTED AREAS Apr 2018 1,000 Apr 2018 10,000 wild fisheries and fish farms are Apr 2018 1% Apr 2023 2,000 Apr 2023 20,000 managed, and influence consumers Apr 2023 30% and seafood businesses to be more responsible in their seafood buying choices. Clean seas P50% We will ensure our seas are cleaner, track the health of our seas, identify 20 INSHORE MARINE A 50% DROP NUMBER OF key sources of pollution and PROTECTED AREAS IN KEY ITEMS OF MEMBERS/ADOPTERS develop innovative solutions for FORMALLY MONITORED BEACH LITTER Apr 2018 8,700 preventing it and cleaning it up. BY SEASEARCH by Apr 2023 Apr 2023 13,600 by Apr 2023 Ocean recovery We will ensure our seas are better protected, improve marine management, secure well-managed marine protected areas, recover, nurture and protect REACH OF OUR DEPOSIT RETURN A BAN ON PLASTIC marine species and habitats, GOOD FISH GUIDE SCHEMES FOR DRINKS STRAWS, STIRRERS & and track ocean recovery. Apr 2018 730,000 CONTAINERS COTTON BUD STICKS x ORGANISATIONAL Apr 2023 1.4 million by Apr 2021 by Apr 2019 Income, impact and profile We will be the UK marine conservation charity of choice for funders and supporters, with a high profile and a large, FISHERIES & SEAFOOD MEALS AQUACULTURE sustainable, diverse income base. AQUACULTURE IN INFLUENCED BY MCS REGULATION THE UK BASED ON PER YEAR REVISED TO MINIMISE An expert and professional SUSTAINABILITY Apr 2018 300 million ENVIRONMENTAL organisation by Apr 2023 Apr 2023 600 million DAMAGE We will deliver first class science by Apr 2021 and practical conservation to support our memorable campaigns, and engaging outreach and education programmes; use all available media to promote our work; and use our gathered data as FACEBOOK solid evidence in our own research- WEB TRAFFIC TOTAL based projects – all of which will be (UNIQUE USERS PER MONTH) LIKES INCOME based on strong finances, human Apr 2018 51,500 Apr 2018 117,000 Apr 2018 £2,900,000 resources and professional IT. Apr 2023 120,000 Apr 2023 250,000 Apr 2023 £5,800,000 6 OUR GOALS ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2019–20 HOW WE ACHIEVE OUR GOALS Advocating policy and legislative x We advocate policy changes, influencing governments and change, including through decision-makers across the UK and internationally. influencing politicians, judicial challenges and public-facing x We challenge decision-makers when laws are not enforced. campaigns x We connect with and empower people and communities to take action and participate in our campaigns. Challenging, educating, engaging x We encourage understanding of the value of a healthy ocean. and influencing people, partners and communities x We work with people and communities to inspire behaviour change. x We build partnerships with other civil society organisations and influencers. Engaging in dialogue with and x We monitor business practice and identify the poorest performers. challenging regressive, unsustainable businesses x We engage with key businesses to challenge poor practice. x We use public-facing campaigns to change consumer opinions and influence business practice. Supporting and sharing best x We advise businesses on measures to protect the marine environment. practice, and creating alliances and partnerships with progressive, x We form partnerships with businesses to share best practice. sustainable businesses x We publicise where businesses have changed practice to protect our seas. Engaging in hands-on practical x We use sound scientific analysis and evidence to understand conservation and providing evidence our seas and work with academic partners to provide the through scientific, technical research supporting evidence for our projects and campaigns. and citizen science studies x We run a UK-wide Sea Champions volunteer programme to spread our message in local communities.