The MBA was founded in 1884 and in 1888 opened the Plymouth Laboratory at Citadel Hill. The charitable aims of the Marine Biological Association (MBA) are: ‘to promote scientific research into all aspects of life in the sea, including the environment on which it depends, and to disseminate to the public the knowledge gained.’ It has maintained The Plymouth Algal Culture Collection since 1905. The Collection holds an extensive range of marine phytoplankton including a large number of Authentic (Type) strains and HAB species from around the world.
The Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS) runs the Continuous Plankton Recorder survey (CPR). It has been collecting data from the North Atlantic and the North Sea on the ecology and biogeography of plankton since 1931. The unique marine biological dataset provides a wide range of environmental and climatic indicators and is used by marine scientists and policy makers to address marine environmental management issues such as harmful algal blooms, pollution, climate change and fisheries.
The MBA & SAHFOS both have international reputations for excellence and innovation in research and broad experience of running successful workshops and courses. The workshop will be held in the Marine Life and Environmental Sciences Resource Centre of the MBA. The Centre has up-to-date lecture facilities and a fully equipped adjoining laboratory.