Can amphipods be used to detect toxins from harmful algae blooms?

Meet Ethan, a final year undergraduate student in marine biology at the University of Plymouth. Ethan is investigating whether amphipods, specifically Gammarus chevreuxi, can be used to detect toxins from harmful marine algae, including those that cause ‘red tide’ blooms. These tiny Crustaceans, commonly found in brackish waters along the UK and European coasts, could … Read more

18 times to the moon and back – Ocean monitoring programme celebrates new record breaking distance

  7.5 million nautical miles, 18 times to the moon and back or 655 times the size of the Great Wall of China – this is the new total distance covered by the world’s largest marine monitoring programme, the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey. Operated by the Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, the CPR Survey collects … Read more

Advancing plankton research through new laboratory facilities

The Marine Biological Association (MBA) is delighted to announce the opening of new laboratories which will further enhance vital planktonic research. The Plankton Taxonomy Laboratory is the new home of the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey which is one of the world’s longest running and most geographically extensive marine ecological surveys. The Garfield Weston Foundation kindly agreed … Read more

Plymouth scientists play key role in global Plankton Manifesto

David Johns, Head of the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey operated by the Marine Biological Association (MBA) has played an integral role in driving the development of the first ever global Plankton Manifesto. The landmark document, unveiled during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, emphasises the critical role of … Read more

MBA Staff Spotlight: David Johns

Our Staff Spotlight highlights and celebrates the outstanding work of our team members. With a wide range of roles at the Marine Biological Association, we hope these small glimpses into the diverse expertise and individual passions will deepen the connection between the MBA and the public. David Johns is the Director of Research Facilities at … Read more

140 Years: How technology is advancing marine science

From underwater videography to aerial drones, technological advancements in ocean observation have significantly enhanced our understanding of marine ecosystems and the impact of human activities on the marine environment. Scientists from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) are now able to collect data in real-time and monitor marine life in ways that were previously unimaginable. Cutting-edge … Read more

New programme is launched in the fight against climate change

Four leading UK marine research institutions are joining forces to explore the ocean’s role in mitigating climate change. The Marine Biological Association (MBA), National Oceanography Centre (NOC), Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) are collaborating in the marine science research programme. The Atlantic Climate and Environment Strategic Science (AtlantiS) … Read more

Explore Ocean Science at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition

The UK National Oceanography Centre in partnership with Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), the Marine Biological Association (MBA) and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) will be bringing ocean science to the Royal Society Summer Science Festival this year, to tell the compelling story of how we are all connected to the ocean, and how … Read more

UN Senior Advisor visits the Marine Biological Association

Scientists at the Marine Biological Association (MBA) were delighted to welcome a United Nations Senior Advisor to its headquarters in Plymouth. Vincent Doumeizel, Senior Advisor on Oceans to the UN Global Compact visited marine biologists from the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey to learn more about the pioneering plankton research being conducted at the MBA. … Read more

New study reveals link between climate change, oceanic circulation and dinoflagellates

Researchers from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) have led a study to discover why dinoflagellates are declining in northern regions of our ocean. Climate warming poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems worldwide, and scientists have documented considerable changes in plankton in the Northeast Atlantic. Plankton are a diverse collection of tiny organisms found in … Read more