MBA Archive on the move

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.

A year of global impact and growth: MBA Chief Executive, Professor Willie Wilson, reflects on 2025 

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

Welcome to the MBA’s new Trustee, Sarah Holmyard

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.

University of Plymouth Graduate recognised for outstanding academic achievement with MBA Prize

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.

MBA researchers reveal climate change threat to kelp forest ecosystems

A new study co-authored by the Marine Biological Association’s Senior Research Fellow Dr Dan Smale, Lankester Research Fellow Professor Stephen J. Hawkins, Postdoctoral Research Assistant Dr Nathan King, and former PhD student Harry Teagle, has revealed how the loss of kelp forests at their southern range edge could dramatically reshape marine ecosystems. Dense patches of … Read more

The Marine Biological Association’s long history of fisheries management research

The release earlier this year of Ocean with David Attenborough, and the accompanying book, Ocean Earth’s Last Wilderness, have served as timely reminders of the vital role the ocean plays in the health and resilience of our planet. MBA researchers, including Senior Research Fellow Dr Bryce Stewart, were actively involved in the making of the film.

Diatoms reveal survival strategy under nutrient co-limitation 

Scientists at the Marine Biological Association (MBA) and the University of Exeter have discovered how tiny photosynthetic microbes known as phytoplankton prioritise resource use when nutrients are scarce, in a breakthrough that could reshape our understanding of the impacts of nutrient limitation on these important organisms, which form the base of marine food webs. 

Public surveys launched to investigate extraordinary ‘octopus bloom’ in South West waters

The Marine Biological Association (MBA) has launched two public surveys to gather vital information on the unusual surge in common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) numbers reported in the waters off the south coast of Devon and Cornwall this year. Numbers of octopus have been rising off the coast of Devon and Cornwall. c. Keith Hiscock MBE … Read more

MBA Data Manager appointed Co-chair of key UK marine data working group

Chloe Figueroa Ashforth from DASSH at the Marine Biological Association has been appointed as the new Co-chair of the Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) Communications Working Group.  Chloe will work alongside fellow Co-chair Charlotte Miskin-Hymas from the MEDIN Core Team, and will represent the MEDIN Communications Working Group on the MEDIN Executive Team. … Read more

‘No Data, No Action’: MBA key to shaping global ocean policy

Professor Willie Wilson and POGO partners deliver a unified call for ocean observing systems following UNOC3. The Marine Biological Association’s Chief Executive, Professor Willie Wilson, played a key advisory role for the recent UN Ocean Decade conference (UNOC3) offering vital guidance to policymakers and politicians engaged in the heart of the negotiations. Willie represented the … Read more