MBA Student Bursary Programme: Empowering the next generation of marine biologists

Three MBA Members had the unique opportunity to attend a prestigious international conference thanks to the Marine Biological Association (MBA) Student Bursary Programme. The MBA Postgraduate Members were able to attend the 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Perth, Australia, which provided valuable support and enabled them to network and learn … Read more

Ambitious study to explore effects of offshore wind farms on ocean life

The Marine Biological Association (MBA) will play a key role in an ambitious new project exploring the consequences of floating offshore wind farms (FLOW) on life throughout the marine food chain. The FRONTLINE project will employ state-of-the-art technologies – including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), satellite remote sensing, digital video aerial surveys and seabird and fisheries … Read more

Leading MBA researcher receives prestigious ERC funding award

A leading researcher from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) has received a significant funding boost from the European Research Council (ERC). NERC Independent Research Fellow Dr Katherine Helliwell who holds a joint appointment at the MBA and University of Exeter will lead on a €2,299,893 award for the project DIACIDAL, which examines interactions between phytoplankton … Read more

Marine Biological Association 140 Anniversary: Recollections of World War II air raids at MBA

By Cynthia Mansell and Chris Bennett, National Marine Biological Library (NMBL) Volunteers During the 2nd World War there were several air raids which affected the Marine Biological Association (MBA) and the people that worked and lived there. Dr Stanley Kemp at the time was the Director of the MBA and he, his wife and daughter … Read more

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

MBA Member wins Christmas Card Competition

We are excited to announce that a proud Member of the Marine Biological Association (MBA) community has emerged victorious in this year’s Christmas card competition. Throughout 2024, MBA Members have submitted their best Ocean-inspired photography, capturing scenes of marine wildlife, seascapes, and more for our 2024 “Ocean is Life” Photography Competition. Images poured into our … Read more

Marine Biological Association 140 Anniversary: Celebrating an MBA Fellow’s inspiring career in marine biology

Professor Paul Rodhouse is an Emeritus Fellow at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). He has been a Member of the Marine Biological Association (MBA) for fifty-one years and was made an MBA Fellow in 2020.  His early research in Southampton, Galway and New York was concerned with physiological ecology and carbon flux in marine bivalves.  … Read more

COP16 – what’s going on in our ocean?

This week, representatives from around the globe are gathering in Colombia for the UN biodiversity summit (COP16), to discuss the state of life on our blue planet. Following the historic deal to halt the destruction of ecosystems agreed at COP15, this year’s meeting will see attendees discussing progress towards biodiversity targets and negotiating agreements on … Read more

Marine Biological Association 140 Anniversary: Reflections on training at the MBA in the 1960s

MBA Member John Spencer was a Research Officer for Central Electricity Research Laboratories (CEGB) and was out stationed to Peake’s Farm Laboratory, Bradwell Nuclear Power Station in Essex. John’s first visit to the Marine Biological Association (MBA) was around 1963 to attend a training course for National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) chemists about to take … Read more