Useful links
Online ID guides are gathered together at the foot of this page: Link to ID guides
Local groups
Morcambe Bay Partnership
The Morecambe Bay Partnership works towards sustainable management for the coast by improving the co-ordination and communication between local people, local authorities, agencies, industries, and voluntary bodies. It addresses many of the issues of interest to people on the Lancashire and Cumbria coastline.
Morecambe Bay Partnership website
Local wildlife trusts
Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside WLT website
National links
Fish online
If you are concerned about declining fish stocks and the welfare of our seas the MCS can help you identify which fish are from well managed sources and/or caught using methods that minimise damage to marine wildlife and habitats (Apps and a pocketbook is available):
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS)
The Marine Conservation Society is the UK's national charity dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its wildlife.
Since 1977, the MCS has worked successfully to highlight issues of concern and threats to marine wildlife and the wider marine environment, bringing them to the attention of the public, media, politicians and Government agencies.
MCS involves thousands of volunteers in surveys and other projects, and has several regional groups. Current projects include Seasearch and Beachwatch, which you can get involved with through the Lancashire Area Group (see our diary), Adopt a turle, the Coral reef campaign and more...
Marine Biological Association
The Marine Biological Association is one of the world's longest-running societies dedicated to promoting research into our oceans and the life they support. It publishes a magazine for members, some articles are available free online.
The Marine Biological Association website
Porcupine
Porcupine an informal society interested in marine natural history and recording, particularly in the North East Atlantic region and the Mediterranean Sea. Its aims are to promote a wider understanding of the biology, ecology and distribution of marine organisms, through interaction and exchange of information between those with interests in different aspects of marine biology, amateur and professional alike.
Seasearch
Seasearch is a national project run by the Marine Conservation Society for volunteer sports divers who have an interest in what they're seeing under water, want to learn more and want to help protect the marine environment.
The aim is to map out the various types of seabed found in the near-shore zone, up to about 5 miles off the coast or 30m depth around the whole of the British Isles. In addition Seasearch is recording what lives in each area, establishing the richest sites for marine life, the sites where there are problems and the sites which need protection.
Identification guides
British Marine Life Pictures
Jason Gregory's collection of marine life photos from around the British Isles, some nice photos to help you ID what you've seen!
The Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN)
MarLIN aims to provides a source of information about marine habitats, communities and species around Britain and Ireland. It provides information on the known distribution of species.
OBIS
Lets you search marine species data from around the world.
Catalogue of Life (COL)
Aims to catalogue every species on the planet...