A major new study co-authored by the Marine Biological Association (MBA) has issued a stark warning that the UK is at serious risk of losing the wide-reaching benefits of its sustainable fisheries unless urgent action is taken. The paper, Recognising and Protecting the National Benefit of Sustainable Fisheries in the UK, highlights the deepening decline … Read more
Plankton may be among the smallest creatures in the ocean, but their significance is anything but small. These microscopic organisms, from tiny fish larvae to single-celled algae, hold key insights into the health of our ocean and the broader impacts of climate change. Through the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey, a collaboration led by the … Read more
The Marine Biological Association (MBA) plays a pivotal role in studying and protecting our ocean. Our innovative research, which includes tracking marine species and investigating the effects of climate change on marine life, is shaping our understanding of oceanography. This year, a group of talented students from Darite Primary Academy had the unique opportunity to … Read more
Since its establishment, the MBA recognised the importance of library facilities to support scientific research, which led to the development of one of the world’s largest marine reference libraries, the National Marine Biological Library (NMBL). In addition to our extensive library, we also house an archive that contains thousands of unique items. This archive preserves … Read more
A groundbreaking new study published in Nature Climate Change, led by Dr Katie Smith, Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the Marine Biological Association (MBA), reveals that the summers of 2023 and 2024 experienced nearly 3.5 times as many marine heatwave days compared to any previous year on record. This surge, fuelled by climate change and exacerbated … Read more
Senior Research Fellow at the Marine Biological Association, Dr Dan Smale, has been honoured with the prestigious 2025 Hutchinson Award for his pioneering research on marine heatwaves and their impact on marine biodiversity and conservation. The G. Evelyn Hutchinson Award, presented annually by The Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), recognises scientists … Read more
New research from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) aims to shed light on one of the greatest mysteries of the natural world – where do sharks go to give birth? Sharks have inhabited the world’s ocean for over 400 million years, surviving mass extinctions and shaping marine ecosystems. However, little is known about their reproductive … Read more
Since its founding in 1884, the Marine Biological Association has been home to many pioneering female scientists who have made groundbreaking contributions to the scientific community. The MBA takes great pride in its diverse team of female scientists, whose contributions continue to shape the future of marine research. “I am thrilled to follow in the … Read more
Crinoids, (known commonly as feather stars and sea lillies) are part of the echinoderm group that includes sea urchins and sea stars. They have shown incredible morphological and biological properties that could inspire future innovations. Dr Angela Stevenson, Senior Research Fellow at the Marine Biological Association is on a mission to discover more about the … Read more
We are delighted to announce the winners of the MBA Membership Photo Competition 2024! After receiving an overwhelming number of submissions from talented MBA Members from all over the world, fellow MBA Members selected the winners who truly captured the essence of the competition’s theme, Ocean is Life. These winners have not only showcased their … Read more
The Marine Biological Association
The Laboratory,
Citadel Hill Plymouth,
Devon
PL1 2PB, UK
The Marine Biological Association conducts, promotes and supports scientific research into all aspects of life in the sea. We're working with our ever-growing membership to provide a clear and independent voice on behalf of the marine biological community