Interdisciplinary workshop sparks new opportunities in marine research

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Researchers from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) and the University of Exeter’s Living Systems Institute (LSI) recently attended an interdisciplinary workshop focused on the cell and environmental biology of marine microbes and plankton. The event brought together academics working across a diverse range of disciplines, including marine microbiology, biophysics, structural biology, cell biology and ecology. … Read more

Creating educational content with students from Eat That Frog

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Last month the National Marine Biological Library supported students from the Plymouth branch of Eat That Frog. Eat That Frog provides specialist post-16 and adult training, enabling learners to develop their skills and overcome barriers. One of their key programmes is to provide post-16 students with work placement experiences in a variety of professional fields, … Read more

MBA to play key role in project to improve protection for sharks in English waters

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The Marine Biological Association (MBA) is playing a critical role in a major new conservation project that will help to improve understanding and protection of some of England’s most iconic shark species. Led by the University of Exeter and supported through Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme, the three-year project, From data to action: comprehensive assessment … Read more

UK ratification of landmark Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement strengthens protection for ocean biodiversity

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The Marine Biological Association has welcomed the UK’s ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, a landmark international agreement designed to strengthen the protection of marine biodiversity across areas beyond national jurisdiction, which cover nearly two-thirds of the global ocean.

Warming seas drive major changes in Southwest UK marine wildlife, report reveals

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Partners in the world of marine research and observation, including the Marine Biological Association (MBA), have highlighted major ecological changes occurring across the region’s waters in the latest State of South-West Seas 2025 report.

MBA-led study advances whale shark tagging techniques to support global conservation

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International MBA-led study is helping to transform how researchers study the world’s largest known living fish species, offering practical guidance to improve whale shark tagging techniques and strengthen conservation efforts.

Decline in plankton across North East Atlantic sends warning for ocean health

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New study has used more than six decades of data to show that plankton abundance is declining across vast swathes of the North East Atlantic – a region covering the Atlantic Ocean from Portugal to Norway, and the entirety of the North Sea.

Competitive rock pool challenge reveals rare finds and non-native species on UK shores

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Thousands of observations of marine wildlife have been recorded during the 2026 National BioBlitz, providing valuable data that will help scientists to monitor changes in biodiversity around the UK coastline.

Kelp forests show resilience to disturbance – but warming seas may slow recovery

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Kelp forests along the UK coastline are more resilient to disturbance than previously thought, according to a MBA study recently published in the Journal of Ecology.

Octopus bloom: We must “plan for a future where these changes may become more frequent” says leading marine scientist

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C. Kirsty Andrews | Octopus being harassed by cuckoo wrasse The Marine Biological Association (MBA) has released new findings from the second major scientific study documenting an unprecedented surge, or “bloom”, of common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) off the southwest coast of the UK since 2025. The event is the largest recorded in at least 75 … Read more

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The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom is a registered charity in England and Wales (1155893), and is a company limited by Royal Charter (RC000865). The Marine Biological Association conducts, promotes and supports scientific research into all aspects of life in the sea.

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