Cookie policy

We also provide guidance on how you can disable cookies if you do not agree to their usage. This policy is to be read alongside our privacy policy

Notification of change of policy

We may amend this policy from time to time. You are advised to visit this page periodically in order to keep up to date with the changes in our privacy policy. We will notify you of any significant changes where reasonably possible

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer/ device. They allow information about your visit to be recorded, and enable websites to distinguish you from other users.

Cookies can either be 'session' based, where they are deleted after each visit, or 'persistent', where the cookies last for a longer, defined period.

You can find out more about cookies at www.allaboutcookies.org.

Consent

By clicking accept when you visit the website you consent to cookies being stored on your computer/ mobile device in accordance with this policy.

In order to remember that you have accepted our use of cookies, we will place a temporary cookie on your device to remember your consent for three months.

1. Types of cookies we use
2. Strictly necessary cookies: These cookies are essential for you to move around the website and to use its features, e.g. to fill in donation forms.
3. Performance cookies: These cookies collect information about how you make use of the site, e.g. which pages you visit most. These cookies do not collect information that directly identifies you.
4. Functionality cookies: These cookies remember choices made by you and enhance the features, e.g. setting language preferences. These cookies are also used to remember your preferences for a font size, or customisable parts of a web page.
5. Targeting or advertising cookies: These cookies collect information about your browsing habits. This may also include your use of social media sites, e.g. Facebook, or how you interact with our website, which is then used to show you relevant content elsewhere on the internet. These may also be used to remarket to you.

The majority of our cookies fall into the first two categories. However, we also use cookies on our webpages that are in categories three and four. The tables in sections 7 and 8 below provide more information about the specific cookies we use and why (except for strictly necessary cookies).

Persistent or session cookies. Where indicated below that a cookie is a ‘session’ cookie this means that your computer automatically removes it once you close your browser. ‘Persistent’ cookies stay on your computer after the browser is closed until they are deleted manually or they expire (expiration date will depend on the cookie).

Why do we use cookies?

We monitor how people use our website so we can improve it. If you visit our website, we may record information including:

• the areas of the website you visit
• the amount of time you spend on the site
• whether you are new to the site or have visited it before
• how you came to our website – for example, through an email link
• the type of device and browser you use
• how you use the website and the quality of your experience – for example, we may record a session or test different variations of a webpage to see how easy it is for you to find what you are looking for so we can improve the service.

We use cookies to track how donors come to our site. For example, we use codes in our URLs to show us where a donation has come from, which gives us insight into the effectiveness of our marketing materials. Some of this will involve the use of third party cookies to target you with relevant advertising (see section 8 below).

Although not through cookies, we do measure the success of the emails we send – open rates and clicks - so we know what subject lines and stories people liked the most. 

Google Analytics

Our website uses Google Analytics, which is commonly used. This provides anonymous information about your use of the website to Google which Google uses to evaluate your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage.

For more details please read Google’s Analytics overview.

You can always opt-out of Google Analytics cookies by using Google’s opt-out tool.

First party cookies

To help you understand how we use cookies, this is a list of the first party cookies set across our website:

• Cloudflare
• Dotmailer
• Google
• Hotjar
• Stripe
• The Trade Desk
• Visual Website Optimiser
• Django Session Cookies

Third party cookies

Some cookies are not related to the Marine Conservation Society website. Some of our pages contain embedded content such as a YouTube video, Twitter feed, Facebook likes or a Google Plus share, and you may receive cookies delivered from these websites. We do not govern the publication of third party cookies. To understand more about their cookies and privacy statements, please visit the relevant sites.

Some of our cookies will remind you about our work and how you can help after you have left the website. These are the targeting/advertising cookies we use. It is a useful tool for us to retain public awareness of our campaigns and how they can be supported.

Changing your cookie preferences

Internet browsers normally accept cookies by default. However, most browsers let you turn off either all or third-party cookies. If you do not accept our use of cookies as set out above, please set your browser to reject cookies (see below). However, please be aware that this may impair or limit your ability to use our website. The option to do this is usually found in the options, settings or preferences menu of your browser or mobile device.

The advertising companies we work with generally use cookies and similar tracking technologies as part of their services. To learn more about how advertisers generally use cookies and the choices they offer, and the steps you can take to choose which cookies you can accept or reject, you can review the website of the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance.

Policy last updated: 3 March 2021