Dr Clare Ostle of the Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey in South Korea

Research Fellow and coordinator of the Pacific Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey, Dr Clare Ostle, at The North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES). Held this year in Busan, South Korea, PICES is a crucial meeting in order to share the latest in North Pacific marine research. PICES is an intergovernmental organisation whose aims are; As … 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

Dr Katherine Helliwell Wins Society of Experimental Biology President’s Medal in Cell Biology

Dr Katherine Helliwell, NERC Independent Research Fellow and joint Research Fellow at the Marine Biological Association and the University of Exeter, was awarded The Society for Experimental Biology’s (SEB) President’s Medal earlier this year. Awarded to three young scientists of “outstanding merit”, Katherine was recognised for her work in cell biology, particularly in understanding algal … Read more

Mysterious circles of basking sharks explained

Rarely observed circling behaviours of endangered basking sharks have now been explained as ‘shark speed dating’ courtship displays, thanks to a new study. Marine biologists from the Marine Biological Association (MBA), the Irish Basking Shark Group and colleagues have led ground-breaking research which reveals the circles of basking sharks seen off western Ireland are engaged … Read more

First Sighting in British Isles of Nudibranch Species

The sea slug Berghia coerulescens has been recorded for the first time in the British Isles. Nick Jouault, former chair to the Marine Biology Department of the Société Jersiaise, sighted the nudibranch (confirmed by expert Bernard Picton) on 8th August 2022 near Les Écréhous reef in Jersey. Founded in 1873, the Société Jersiaise is dedicated … Read more

The MBA at the Royal Society

Written by Kes Scott-Somme The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition is arguably the biggest interactive science event in the UK. Open for free to the public, it lets cutting edge science projects communicate directly with interested individuals. MBA staff Joanna Harley, Patrick Adkins and Kes Scott-Somme went along to represent the project they work on; … Read more

Mount Batten Bioblitz – The Results Are In

Written by Joanna Harley On a sunny day in June, 37 naturalists and 27 school students joined forces with the Darwin Tree of Life Project (DToL) for the Marine Biological Association’s annual Bioblitz at Mount Batten Bay. The Bioblitz ran simultaneously between Mount Batten Bay, Plymouth and Little Sparta, Scotland, and the day was spent … Read more