The Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Introduction

Founded in 1876 the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland is one of the oldest existing societies devoted to the study of molluscs.
Snails, slugs, sea slugs and most seashells are molluscs, as are octopus, squids, chitons (coat-of-mail shells), and limpets. So are bivalves, both freshwater and marine. Many of the marine bivalves are of commercial importance as a food source thoughout the world, including clams, cockles, oysters, razor shells, scallops and mussels, and it is important that over-exploitation is avoided and that stocks are maintained.

The object of the Society is the promotion for the benefit of the public the study of Mollusca in its widest aspects. It is a Registered Charity which anyone, anywhere may join.
The Society achieves its objective of promoting the study of molluscs and their conservation, through meetings, workshops, publications and distribution recording schemes.
Subject to the availability of funds the Society may make grants (maximum £1000 per grant) totalling up to £3000 in any one calendar year. The grants will be for projects promoting the objectives of the society.

The Society is governed by a Council consisting of the President, the Vice-Presidents, the Society's Officers and nine Ordinary Council Members. Ordinary Council Members are elected for a period of three years, and on the expiry of this term are not eligible for a further twelve months for re-election to the same position.
The Society's Officers consist of the General Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Journal Editor, Recorder for Non-marine Mollusca, Recorder for Marine Mollusca, Editor of 'Mollusc World', Programme Secretary and Conservation Officer, all of whom are elected annually. All Officers are unpaid.