Catherine Gemmell
@cathgem2000.bsky.social
#OceanOptimist 🌊 Policy and Advocacy Manager for Marine Conservation Society 🌊 Volunteer Director for Moray Ocean Community #STEMAmbassador 🏞️ previous Trustee for Action To Protect Rural Scotland 🌍 Fellow Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Yesterday it was fantastic to see DRS regulations laid in Wales for plastic, metal and glass drinks containers!
With @mcsuk.bsky.social Beachwatch volunteers finding drinks related litter on over 90% of beaches in 2024 this is brilliant news for Welsh seas!
With @mcsuk.bsky.social Beachwatch volunteers finding drinks related litter on over 90% of beaches in 2024 this is brilliant news for Welsh seas!
February 13, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Yesterday it was fantastic to see DRS regulations laid in Wales for plastic, metal and glass drinks containers!
With @mcsuk.bsky.social Beachwatch volunteers finding drinks related litter on over 90% of beaches in 2024 this is brilliant news for Welsh seas!
With @mcsuk.bsky.social Beachwatch volunteers finding drinks related litter on over 90% of beaches in 2024 this is brilliant news for Welsh seas!
Fab to see the regs laid today to ban plastic in single use wet wipes!
Our @mcsuk.bsky.social volunteers have picked up thousands from Scottish beaches and across the UK!
This will help wet wipe free beaches but also remember to only flush the three pees - pee, poo and toilet paper!
Our @mcsuk.bsky.social volunteers have picked up thousands from Scottish beaches and across the UK!
This will help wet wipe free beaches but also remember to only flush the three pees - pee, poo and toilet paper!
February 13, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Fab to see the regs laid today to ban plastic in single use wet wipes!
Our @mcsuk.bsky.social volunteers have picked up thousands from Scottish beaches and across the UK!
This will help wet wipe free beaches but also remember to only flush the three pees - pee, poo and toilet paper!
Our @mcsuk.bsky.social volunteers have picked up thousands from Scottish beaches and across the UK!
This will help wet wipe free beaches but also remember to only flush the three pees - pee, poo and toilet paper!
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
🌍 Islands are on the front line of plastic pollution, and also at the forefront of solutions. On 18 February 2026 (13:00–14:00 CET), join the Global Deposit and Return Platform webinar “Circular Islands: Winning the war on marine litter with DRS”
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #drs #circulareconomy
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #drs #circulareconomy
January 29, 2026 at 12:53 PM
🌍 Islands are on the front line of plastic pollution, and also at the forefront of solutions. On 18 February 2026 (13:00–14:00 CET), join the Global Deposit and Return Platform webinar “Circular Islands: Winning the war on marine litter with DRS”
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #drs #circulareconomy
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #drs #circulareconomy
Diolch Cardiff for a fantastic few days raising awareness of our marine litter work at @mcsuk.bsky.social with current and future members of the Senedd!
From #depositreturn to reusable cups to fishing gear we covered a lot in two days & I can't wait to see what Wales does next to save our ocean!
From #depositreturn to reusable cups to fishing gear we covered a lot in two days & I can't wait to see what Wales does next to save our ocean!
January 30, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Diolch Cardiff for a fantastic few days raising awareness of our marine litter work at @mcsuk.bsky.social with current and future members of the Senedd!
From #depositreturn to reusable cups to fishing gear we covered a lot in two days & I can't wait to see what Wales does next to save our ocean!
From #depositreturn to reusable cups to fishing gear we covered a lot in two days & I can't wait to see what Wales does next to save our ocean!
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
Delighted to be part of the event last night, and show one of the films that we co-produced with @mcsuk.bsky.social
Want to watch any of the three short films?
🎞️ www.reloopplatform.org/deposit-retu...
Want to watch any of the three short films?
🎞️ www.reloopplatform.org/deposit-retu...
January 29, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Delighted to be part of the event last night, and show one of the films that we co-produced with @mcsuk.bsky.social
Want to watch any of the three short films?
🎞️ www.reloopplatform.org/deposit-retu...
Want to watch any of the three short films?
🎞️ www.reloopplatform.org/deposit-retu...
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
Brilliant event from @mcsuk.bsky.social last night!
We're not often in the same room as each other, but it's always lovely to catch up when we are 🤩
We're not often in the same room as each other, but it's always lovely to catch up when we are 🤩
January 29, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Brilliant event from @mcsuk.bsky.social last night!
We're not often in the same room as each other, but it's always lovely to catch up when we are 🤩
We're not often in the same room as each other, but it's always lovely to catch up when we are 🤩
Fantastic to be in @senedd.wales last night for our @mcsuk.bsky.social event on a #DepositReturnScheme for Wales with @reloop.bsky.social @keepwalestidy.cymru & Trash Free Trails.
Diolch to sponsor @carolynthomasms.bsky.social for sponsoring & @huwirrancadaviesms.bsky.social for speaking!
Diolch to sponsor @carolynthomasms.bsky.social for sponsoring & @huwirrancadaviesms.bsky.social for speaking!
January 29, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Fantastic to be in @senedd.wales last night for our @mcsuk.bsky.social event on a #DepositReturnScheme for Wales with @reloop.bsky.social @keepwalestidy.cymru & Trash Free Trails.
Diolch to sponsor @carolynthomasms.bsky.social for sponsoring & @huwirrancadaviesms.bsky.social for speaking!
Diolch to sponsor @carolynthomasms.bsky.social for sponsoring & @huwirrancadaviesms.bsky.social for speaking!
Exchange for change!
Brilliant to see the name and logo launch for the deposit return scheme across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland today - a vital step forward following years of campaigning by @mcsuk.bsky.social and others!
#DepositReturnScheme #CircularEconomy
Brilliant to see the name and logo launch for the deposit return scheme across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland today - a vital step forward following years of campaigning by @mcsuk.bsky.social and others!
#DepositReturnScheme #CircularEconomy
January 27, 2026 at 11:27 AM
Exchange for change!
Brilliant to see the name and logo launch for the deposit return scheme across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland today - a vital step forward following years of campaigning by @mcsuk.bsky.social and others!
#DepositReturnScheme #CircularEconomy
Brilliant to see the name and logo launch for the deposit return scheme across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland today - a vital step forward following years of campaigning by @mcsuk.bsky.social and others!
#DepositReturnScheme #CircularEconomy
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
For a more indepth dive into our policy on deposit return schemes, you can find our policy paper here -> s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/media.mcsuk....
s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:42 AM
For a more indepth dive into our policy on deposit return schemes, you can find our policy paper here -> s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/media.mcsuk....
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
Everywhere that has a deposit return scheme (DRS) has less litter - so of course we are big fans! If you are a fan of DRS then why not join our DRS Fanclub? www.mcsuk.org/ocean-emerge...
Deposit Return Scheme Fan Club
This page highlights organisations and community groups who are also excited for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) to begin; helping to reduce litter in the environment, increase recycling rates and mov...
www.mcsuk.org
October 6, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Everywhere that has a deposit return scheme (DRS) has less litter - so of course we are big fans! If you are a fan of DRS then why not join our DRS Fanclub? www.mcsuk.org/ocean-emerge...
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
Brilliant piece by Nada Farhoud on learnings from Denmark and Latvia to help the UK move towards a circular economy. We're excited for the UK to join Denmark and Latvia in having a deposit return scheme for bottles and cans in October 2027
1/3 👇
1/3 👇
UK must learn from the world's first city-wide reuseable cup scheme
In Aarhus, Denmark a successful scheme which collects and washes cups for a small deposit has stopped more than one million so far from being binned
www.mirror.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Brilliant piece by Nada Farhoud on learnings from Denmark and Latvia to help the UK move towards a circular economy. We're excited for the UK to join Denmark and Latvia in having a deposit return scheme for bottles and cans in October 2027
1/3 👇
1/3 👇
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
Huge thanks to our speakers from @scottishgreens.org @scotlibdems.org.uk @snp.org and Scottish Labour, and all the delegates who attended @seascotland.bsky.social's first ever Ocean Hustings on Monday! It was great to share ideas on how we can bring our seas back to health.
@youth4seas.bsky.social
@youth4seas.bsky.social
October 9, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Huge thanks to our speakers from @scottishgreens.org @scotlibdems.org.uk @snp.org and Scottish Labour, and all the delegates who attended @seascotland.bsky.social's first ever Ocean Hustings on Monday! It was great to share ideas on how we can bring our seas back to health.
@youth4seas.bsky.social
@youth4seas.bsky.social
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
Thanks so much @seascotland.bsky.social for giving me a chance to talk about my love of the ocean and how we should be looking after our local marine spaces! 🌊
Councillor Sanne Dijkstra-Downie from Liberal Democrats highlights they want science led and supported by coastal communities. They have to have a stake and a say in what happens - government should work with and not against communities empowering them to be stewards of their own marine environment.
October 7, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Thanks so much @seascotland.bsky.social for giving me a chance to talk about my love of the ocean and how we should be looking after our local marine spaces! 🌊
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
Circular systems like this are the way of the future, and Reloop expects to see more of them across Europe as businesses back them and regulators introduce supportive policies.
@jennihume.bsky.social
@cathgem2000.bsky.social
@mcsuk.bsky.social
@jennihume.bsky.social
@cathgem2000.bsky.social
@mcsuk.bsky.social
UK must learn from the world's first city-wide reuseable cup scheme
In Aarhus, Denmark a successful scheme which collects and washes cups for a small deposit has stopped more than one million so far from being binned
www.mirror.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Circular systems like this are the way of the future, and Reloop expects to see more of them across Europe as businesses back them and regulators introduce supportive policies.
@jennihume.bsky.social
@cathgem2000.bsky.social
@mcsuk.bsky.social
@jennihume.bsky.social
@cathgem2000.bsky.social
@mcsuk.bsky.social
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
Making Waves: Sea Scotland Youth Voices event has begun!
@alanmunro.bsky.social & Caitlin from @youth4seas.bsky.social celebrating the launch of their manifesto which was created in collaboration with young people from across Scotland!
@alanmunro.bsky.social & Caitlin from @youth4seas.bsky.social celebrating the launch of their manifesto which was created in collaboration with young people from across Scotland!
October 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Making Waves: Sea Scotland Youth Voices event has begun!
@alanmunro.bsky.social & Caitlin from @youth4seas.bsky.social celebrating the launch of their manifesto which was created in collaboration with young people from across Scotland!
@alanmunro.bsky.social & Caitlin from @youth4seas.bsky.social celebrating the launch of their manifesto which was created in collaboration with young people from across Scotland!
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
Sea Scotland Hustings is tonight🌊
We look forward to welcoming you all to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute from 6.30 pm.
Can't join in person? We are livestreaming!🎥
Join us online at 7.00 pm 👉https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKCtstbbEZw
We look forward to welcoming you all to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute from 6.30 pm.
Can't join in person? We are livestreaming!🎥
Join us online at 7.00 pm 👉https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKCtstbbEZw
Arrived in Edinburgh for the @seascotland.bsky.social Ocean Hustings!
@mcsuk.bsky.social @scotlink.bsky.social
@mcsuk.bsky.social @scotlink.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Sea Scotland Hustings is tonight🌊
We look forward to welcoming you all to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute from 6.30 pm.
Can't join in person? We are livestreaming!🎥
Join us online at 7.00 pm 👉https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKCtstbbEZw
We look forward to welcoming you all to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute from 6.30 pm.
Can't join in person? We are livestreaming!🎥
Join us online at 7.00 pm 👉https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKCtstbbEZw
Arrived in Edinburgh for the @seascotland.bsky.social Ocean Hustings!
@mcsuk.bsky.social @scotlink.bsky.social
@mcsuk.bsky.social @scotlink.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Arrived in Edinburgh for the @seascotland.bsky.social Ocean Hustings!
@mcsuk.bsky.social @scotlink.bsky.social
@mcsuk.bsky.social @scotlink.bsky.social
Brilliant first event for the 2025 @mcsuk.bsky.social #GreatBritishBeachean with Moray Ocean Community!
September 19, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Brilliant first event for the 2025 @mcsuk.bsky.social #GreatBritishBeachean with Moray Ocean Community!
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
🌊 Registrations are now OPEN for Sea Scotland 2025!
Grab your spot to join our first-ever Ocean Hustings on 6th October at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute.
🚨Register today: bit.ly/44nKQfm
Grab your spot to join our first-ever Ocean Hustings on 6th October at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute.
🚨Register today: bit.ly/44nKQfm
June 19, 2025 at 1:10 PM
🌊 Registrations are now OPEN for Sea Scotland 2025!
Grab your spot to join our first-ever Ocean Hustings on 6th October at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute.
🚨Register today: bit.ly/44nKQfm
Grab your spot to join our first-ever Ocean Hustings on 6th October at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute.
🚨Register today: bit.ly/44nKQfm
Delighted to have been on The One Show tonight representing @mcsuk.bsky.social and all our amazing volunteers!
I've brought together an article featuring lots of orgs doing vital work to tackle fishing and aquaculture gear if you are interested to find out more :)
www.linkedin.com/pulse/workin...
I've brought together an article featuring lots of orgs doing vital work to tackle fishing and aquaculture gear if you are interested to find out more :)
www.linkedin.com/pulse/workin...
Working together to tackle fishing and aquaculture litter
Catherine Gemmell - Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Marine Conservation Society At the end of May I had the pleasure of spending the day in sunny Dunoon with BBC’s The One Show to talk about the br...
www.linkedin.com
June 9, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Delighted to have been on The One Show tonight representing @mcsuk.bsky.social and all our amazing volunteers!
I've brought together an article featuring lots of orgs doing vital work to tackle fishing and aquaculture gear if you are interested to find out more :)
www.linkedin.com/pulse/workin...
I've brought together an article featuring lots of orgs doing vital work to tackle fishing and aquaculture gear if you are interested to find out more :)
www.linkedin.com/pulse/workin...
Thanks to @delythjewell.bsky.social for this wonderful 90 Second Statement for #WorldOceanDay in the @senedd.wales including the use of our @mcsuk.bsky.social Beachwatch Data!
www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Clip...
www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Clip...
Plenary
The Senedd is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people, makes laws for Wales, agrees Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account.
www.senedd.tv
June 9, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Thanks to @delythjewell.bsky.social for this wonderful 90 Second Statement for #WorldOceanDay in the @senedd.wales including the use of our @mcsuk.bsky.social Beachwatch Data!
www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Clip...
www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Clip...
Huge thanks to @gillianmacmsp.bsky.social for this brilliant motion in Scottish Parliament on the #BanDisposableVapes campaign by @lesswastelaura.bsky.social supported by @mcsuk.bsky.social @ashscotland.bsky.social & @keepscotbeautiful.bsky.social : www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-...
June 9, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Huge thanks to @gillianmacmsp.bsky.social for this brilliant motion in Scottish Parliament on the #BanDisposableVapes campaign by @lesswastelaura.bsky.social supported by @mcsuk.bsky.social @ashscotland.bsky.social & @keepscotbeautiful.bsky.social : www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-...
Great to be back at Scottish Parliament representing @mcsuk.bsky.social for the @scotlink.bsky.social Nature Champion event celebrating all the MSPs who are giving nature a voice in parliament!
June 4, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Great to be back at Scottish Parliament representing @mcsuk.bsky.social for the @scotlink.bsky.social Nature Champion event celebrating all the MSPs who are giving nature a voice in parliament!
Reposted by Catherine Gemmell
CAMPAIGN UPDATE 📣 The ban on disposable vapes is now in force!
This is a fantastic win for our volunteers and Youth Ocean Network members who have been working tirelessly to raise awareness of the issue of littered vapes
1/3 👇
This is a fantastic win for our volunteers and Youth Ocean Network members who have been working tirelessly to raise awareness of the issue of littered vapes
1/3 👇
June 2, 2025 at 8:49 AM
CAMPAIGN UPDATE 📣 The ban on disposable vapes is now in force!
This is a fantastic win for our volunteers and Youth Ocean Network members who have been working tirelessly to raise awareness of the issue of littered vapes
1/3 👇
This is a fantastic win for our volunteers and Youth Ocean Network members who have been working tirelessly to raise awareness of the issue of littered vapes
1/3 👇
A wonderful evening watching the dolphins at Chanonry Point - got them on our @whalesorg.bsky.social Shorewatch survey too!
April 27, 2025 at 9:06 AM
A wonderful evening watching the dolphins at Chanonry Point - got them on our @whalesorg.bsky.social Shorewatch survey too!