Volunteers and scientists reach six million marine record milestone

Over six million occurrence points of marine species and habitats are now freely available online thanks to the dedication and hard work of citizen scientists, researchers, and data experts from the Marine Biological Association (MBA). Occurrence records show where different species occur around the UK waters and are important for managing and conserving the UK’s … Read more

Building the biodiversity component of the Digital Twin of the Ocean

Marine habitats present specific and one-of-a-kind issues when it comes to observing, mapping, and monitoring biodiversity in marine ecosystems. Despite advancements made in Europe to collect, harmonise, and make available data on marine biodiversity, a large portion of the data that is currently being collected is unavailable and inaccessible; this type of data is referred … Read more

The MBA and Cefas – 120 Years of Collaboration

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Cefas Chief Executive Neil Hornby and Cefas Chief Scientist, Professor Grant Stentiford to the Marine Biological Association. They were welcomed to our laboratory in Plymouth by Chief Executive, Professor Willie Wilson. They were given a tour around our facilities to see our cutting-edge science laboratories and meet our … Read more

Five years of innovation supported by the Marine Business Technology Centre

Since 2018, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) provided £2.5M to the Marine Business Technology Centre (MBTC) in Devon. This has accelerated the development of marine innovation. It was originally introduced to provide support for businesses in Devon and Plymouth to develop and test new marine technology and thereby support long-term innovation and growth in … Read more

Scientists warn that we must prepare for stronger marine heatwaves

With record-high temperatures combined with extreme climate and weather patterns; researchers say we must help communities plan how best to reduce the risks. © Underwater Earth / XL Catlin Seaview Survey / Christophe Bailhache Since April 2023, the global average temperature of water on the surface of the sea has been unusually high and rising. … Read more

Action is needed to protect ocean giants from lethal ship strikes

Large marine animals such as sharks and whales have huge ecological, social, economic, and cultural importance, but are under great threat from collisions with ships. Copyright: Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch In a recent article published in the journal Nature, experts from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) and University of Southampton (UoS) warn that coordinated action is needed … Read more

CPR Survey recognised as high priority for sustained ocean observing

A recent report published by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has identified the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey as one of the top priorities for sustained ocean observations. 11 sustained in situ observation systems were evaluated through open consultation with the wider scientific community, following a request by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Professor … Read more

Marine scientists from the USA visit the Marine Biological Association

The Marine Biological Association (MBA) welcomed scientists from three USA universities as part of new collaborative project to better understand dynamic sinking behaviour in diatoms. Dr Glen Wheeler hosted Brad Gemmell, Associate Professor at the University of South Florida, Kevin Du Clos, Assistant Professor at the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium and Professor Lee Karp-Boss from … Read more

BBC visits Marine Biological Association to investigate impact of rising ocean temperatures

The ocean has reached its highest average surface temperature, breaking a record high from 2016, according to the EU’s climate change service Copernicus. The ocean helps regulate our climate, produces most of the oxygen we breathe and is home to a vast range of species. It reached 20.96C (69.73F) – far above the average for … Read more