Invasive non-native species: Understanding the basics

Following Invasive Species Week last week, and for the start of the the Big Rock Pool Challenge: National BioBlitz, MBA Associate Fellow, Dr John Bishop, explains the basics of understanding non-native species and the threats they pose to our native coastal marine life. What are invasive (non-native) species? Non-native species are those that are living … Read more

Local fishermen and marine scientists come together to create sustainable future for pollack

DEFRA Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner MP, met with the team behind the Pollack Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) during a visit to Plymouth this week.  Pollack FISP is a pioneering collaboration bringing together recreational charter skippers, commercial fishers, and scientists to better understand pollack stocks and the future of the … Read more

Protecting the Irish Sea: Working together for ocean monitoring and plankton research 

The Irish Sea is one of the UK’s most economically and ecologically important marine regions. Supporting everything from biodiversity and renewable energy to fisheries and coastal communities, it is under increasing pressure from pollution, climate change, and intensive human use. At the forefront of efforts to understand and protect this vital ecosystem is the Marine … Read more

Help protect UK coasts from harmful species this Invasive Species Week

The Marine Biological Association (MBA) is calling on members of the public to get involved this UK Invasive Species Week (12–19 May 2025) in safeguarding the UK’s precious marine environments from harmful invasive species (also known as non-native species).

Join the Big Rock Pool Challenge to help monitor and protect our ocean life

Our UK coastline is under threat, and now the Marine Biological Association (MBA) is calling on ocean lovers of all ages to take part in the Big Rock Pool Challenge: National BioBlitz 2025, a nationwide citizen science effort to monitor the health of the UK’s coastline and track the spread of invasive (non-native) species.  Since the … Read more

Marine Biological Association makes key contribution to new documentary film Ocean with David Attenborough

Senior Research Fellow Dr Bryce Stewart and the Marine Biological Association’s (MBA) research vessel ‘Sepia’ played a vital role in helping to create key sequences in the film and ensuring its scientific accuracy. Dr Bryce Stewart, Senior Research Fellow for Fisheries and Conservation at the Marine Biological Association (MBA) and Associate Professor at the University … Read more

The Mesolens microscope transforming phytoplankton visualisation

The Marine Biological Association’s Microbiome Centre is home to unique and cutting-edge facilities which allow us to explore the cellular processes that shape the unique biology of marine life. Our world class microscopy equipment, including the Mesolens microscope, allow us to study marine organisms at cellular and subcellular resolution—and we’re proud to house one of … Read more

MBA RV Sepia undergoes major IT upgrade

The MBA’s IT department has significantly upgraded the data connectivity and computing facilities on the Sepia vessel, resulting in enhanced cybersecurity, operational efficiency, and resilience. Internet connectivity To fully leverage our MBA 365 ecosystem capabilities, we needed to enhance our data connectivity on the vessel to support frequent synchronisation. Therefore, we upgraded from a small … Read more

BBC Countryfile captures moment of connection as young rays are released into Plymouth Sound

In a heartening segment filmed for BBC’s Countryfile, presenter Vick Hope joined our team aboard the RV MBA Sepia for a special milestone: the release of young rays back into the waters of Plymouth Sound. The event marks a key moment in the Little Rays of Hope project — a collaborative initiative from the Marine … Read more