The scope of the Marine Conservation Services (MCS) section is the impact of commercial fishing on protected species. These species include all marine mammals and reptiles; sea birds (except black backed gulls); black and red corals; white pointer sharks and spotted black grouper.
Direct impacts include species being caught, killed or injured in nets or on lines (bycatch). Impacts may also be indirect through the modification of habitat or food availability.
Running the Conservation Services Programme (CSP) is a key part of our work. CSP monitors the effects of commercial fishing on protected species, studies species populations and looks at ways to limit bycatch.