Plankton could hold key for understanding link between ocean pollution and human health

Plankton may offer a way to monitor historical marine pollution trends, and could be used to predict trends in human health, according to new research. Using samples from the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey, an international team of scientists have suggested that rising levels of manmade chemicals found in the ocean could be used to … Read more

EU project MARCO-BOLO launched to better understand marine biodiversity decline and restore ocean health

A new EU project has been launched to improve how biodiversity is recorded and protected in marine and coastal environments. Funded by the Horizon Europe programme, MARCO-BOLO (MARine Coastal BiOdiversity Long-term Observations) will structure and strengthen European coastal and marine biodiversity observation capabilities, linking them to global efforts to understand and restore ocean health. Coastal … Read more

Climate change driving changes of plankton in our ocean

Scientists have discovered that the heating up of the North Atlantic is causing plankton to shift and change in abundance, indicating a threat to the earth’s climate. Dr Clare Ostle, Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Research Fellow and Pacific Coordinator from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) led a study which reveals the transforming levels of plankton … Read more

National Centre for Coastal Autonomy unlocks radical new capabilities for coastal science

The potential for autonomous technology to advance understanding of our constantly evolving ocean and coastlines has taken a major step forward with the launch of the National Centre for Coastal Autonomy. The UK’s first autonomous fully integrated coastal observing and monitoring network employs the latest autonomous technologies to drive towards a net zero oceanographic capability, … Read more

Marine Biological Association receives grant to support the largest marine ecological survey in the world

The Marine Biological Association (MBA) has been awarded £400,000, which will improve its research facilities, reinforcing its position as leaders in marine science. Trustees from the Garfield Weston Foundation have awarded a grant of £400,000 towards the first phase of the refurbishment and redevelopment project at the MBA’s HQ at Citadel Hill, Plymouth. This transformational award of £400,000 … Read more

Ocean forests vitally important as the rainforest

A global study has found that ocean forests are amongst the most productive ecosystems on planet Earth. Scientists from the Marine Biological Association were part of an international team that collected data on ocean forests all over the world. They found that these forests can be larger, and just as productive for sustaining life as … Read more