Marine Biological Association

Marine Biological Association Promoting marine scientific excellence and representing the marine biological community since 1884.
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Sea ice decline threatens moulting Emperor Penguins, become a Member today to read the full story in the latest Edition ...
10/06/2026

Sea ice decline threatens moulting Emperor Penguins, become a Member today to read the full story in the latest Edition of the Marine Biologist.

Sightings and observations from divers and snorkellers were backed up by footage from Baited Underwater Remote Videos (B...
09/06/2026

Sightings and observations from divers and snorkellers were backed up by footage from Baited Underwater Remote Videos (BRUVs) deployed by scientists from the University of Plymouth. Measurements taken from BRUVs and notes from divers confirmed the abundance of octopus on rocky reef habitats, often the same areas targeted by shellfish fisheries.

Dr Bryce Stewart, Senior Research Fellow at the MBA and Associate Professor at the University of Plymouth said: “Particularly significant were observations confirming widespread breeding of the common octopus in UK waters, and reports of octopus predation on a wide range of species, including commercially important crabs and lobsters.”

Photo by Olivia Langmead

08/06/2026

Why are octopus appearing in such huge numbers off the southwest coast of the UK?

Launching the MBA's latest report into the phenomenon. Dr Bryce Stewart reveals new evidence from divers, snorkellers and underwater monitoring that tells the story of one of the most dramatic marine changes seen in UK waters in decades.

Understanding ocean change requires more than snapshots: it requires long-term evidence.The CPR Survey has been collecti...
08/06/2026

Understanding ocean change requires more than snapshots: it requires long-term evidence.

The CPR Survey has been collecting plankton data since 1931, providing one of the world's longest-running marine biological time series.

Today, our data supports research into:

• Marine Heatwaves/ Climate change
• Biodiversity shifts
• Fisheries management
• Harmful algal blooms
• Ocean health indicators

As we mark World Ocean Day, we're proud to continue providing the scientific evidence needed to understand a changing ocean.

Every day is World Ocean Day to us. Happy World Ocean Day to the Ocean - huge fan of your work.
08/06/2026

Every day is World Ocean Day to us. Happy World Ocean Day to the Ocean - huge fan of your work.

07/06/2026

The Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey is one of the world's longest-running marine monitoring programmes, providing essential data on the health of our ocean through sustained environmental monitoring.

Since 1931 we have been collecting plankton data across the ocean, creating one of the longest and most geographically extensive marine ecological records ever assembled. These tiny organisms sit at the base of the marine food web and respond rapidly to environmental change, making them powerful indicators of ocean health.

Long-term observations allow us to detect changes that would otherwise go unnoticed. The evidence gathered helps scientists, policymakers and industry make informed decisions about the future of our ocean.

Calling all Ocean-Inspired Photographers!Celebrate the beauty, power, and fragility of our ocean. We are inviting photog...
07/06/2026

Calling all Ocean-Inspired Photographers!

Celebrate the beauty, power, and fragility of our ocean. We are inviting photographers from around the world to enter the Ocean Image Collection Photography Competition 2026, a global showcase of compelling ocean imagery that highlights marine life, ocean processes, and humanity’s relationship with our ocean.

Photographers may enter in one of two categories:
MBA Member Category
Public Category

Prizes will be awarded in each category, with winning and shortlisted images selected through a combination of expert review and MBA Member voting.

The Ocean Image Collection

Selected images will form the Ocean Image Collection, to be featured across MBA platforms. The collection aims to celebrate visual storytelling as a powerful tool for connecting people with marine science, conservation, and the changing ocean.

Deadline for entries: Friday 30th September 2026

Find out more and enter - https://www.mba.ac.uk/ocean-image-collection/

06/06/2026

Meet Alix Harvey our Research Aquarium Manager

The facilities within the research aquarium are capable of housing anything from small invertebrates, such as crabs and anemones, to larger fish including sharks and rays, and are regularly home to native cuttlefish often reared on-site from eggs.

https://www.mba.ac.uk/our-facilities/research-aquarium/

05/06/2026

We are one of the world’s leading hubs for marine research.

The Marine Research Plymouth Alliance brings together globally recognised expertise to better understand the ocean and tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our planet - from climate change and pollution to sustainable ocean management.

Through collaboration between:
Marine Biological Association
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)
University of Plymouth

…our alliance is driving pioneering science, innovation, and real-world impact.

Want to explore more? Dive into the full 3-minute film here: https://youtu.be/hu0OlCAMs-M

🌊 Our Director of Science Professor Michael Cunliffe will be speaking at the upcoming Marine Deaf Day Conference at Mari...
05/06/2026

🌊 Our Director of Science Professor Michael Cunliffe will be speaking at the upcoming Marine Deaf Day Conference at Marine Station, Plymouth.

The Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (PSNMP) and the University of Edinburgh’s British Sign Language Glossary Project have launched a pioneering partnership supporting the launch of Project MUFFIN (Marine Underwater Fish For INclusion), to make marine science and environmental engagement more accessible to Deaf communities. The BSL Glossary Project, hosted by the Scottish Sensory Centre and supported by Erasmus+ and international partners, has developed thousands of British Sign Language (BSL) signs for STEM subjects and is now expanding into marine life.

The partnership is committed to co-creating events with the Deaf community, ensuring accessibility, and using this collaboration as a springboard for ongoing inclusion and environmental engagement across the region and beyond.

We invite you to the Marine Underwater Fish For INclusion conference at the University of Plymouth's Marine Station to launch this project and partnership, and investigate how as an academic organisation, a supplier or as a member of the community you can encourage inclusive practice

Mon 8 Jun 2026 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Marine Station | Artillery Place, Coxside, Plymouth, PL4 0LU

🎟️ Reserve your free tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/plymouthcitycouncil1/2024179

Address

The Laboratory, Citadel Hill
Plymouth
PL12PB

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+44(0) 1752 426493

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