A very unusual marine discovery has been made at Plymouth’s Mount Batten Beach during The Rock Pool Project’s monthly BioBlitz Battle. Two keen young rock poolers taking part in the citizen science event found specimens of the depilatory sea hare (Aplysia depilans), a species usually only seen in the Mediterranean and East Atlantic.
A new report led by the Marine Biological Association (MBA) in collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), the University of Plymouth and an independent consultant has revealed that a dramatic population bloom of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) off the Southwest coast of the UK is having significant effects on fisheries and marine ecosystems.
Defra recently published the findings of a joint project between the Marine Biological Association (MBA), Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and the Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN), reviewing the current landscape for marine social and economic data.
Scientists at the Marine Biological Association have used a pioneering technological approach in individual diatom cells to uncover how these microscopic ocean organisms rapidly adjust their carbon uptake strategies to cope with changing conditions in the ocean.
Exeter University student and MBA Student Member, Jasmin Orak, joined the Marine Biological Association (MBA) this summer as a Spooner-Parke Summer Studentship awardee, spending 6 weeks immersed in hands-on marine microbiology research.
Until recently, the MBA Archive collections have been housed in two store rooms within the library, but a project to relocate the collections to one main store within the Citadel Hill laboratory is now coming to its conclusion.
Looking for the perfect book to curl up with this winter? If you love the ocean, marine life and the stories behind our ocean, these three titles – reviewed in The Marine Biologist magazine – are essential additions to your reading list. Plus, MBA Members enjoy exclusive discounts when purchasing through the publishers!
December always brings with it one of the highlights of our calendar, the Annual General Meeting, and with it an invaluable moment to reflect on our science, our community and our impact. Despite what has been an undeniably challenging period for the wider world, the ocean and the academic sector, the MBA has continued to … Read more
The Marine Biological Association is delighted to welcome Sarah Holmyard to our Board of Trustees. Sarah is a senior leader in the UK and international seafood sector with over 20 years’ experience spanning fisheries, aquaculture, marketing, and sustainability.
The Marine Biological Association (MBA) is pleased to congratulate the winner of 2025’s prestigious MBA prize. Tilly Powell, who recently graduated with a BSc (Hons) Marine Biology, First Class from the University of Plymouth, received the prize for ‘Outstanding Performance on a Marine Biology Programme’ for her exceptional academic performance.
The Marine Biological Association
The Laboratory,
Citadel Hill Plymouth,
Devon
PL1 2PB, UK
The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom is a registered charity in England and Wales (1155893), and is a company limited by Royal Charter (RC000865). The Marine Biological Association conducts, promotes and supports scientific research into all aspects of life in the sea.