Marine research centres

Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is a world leader in many fields and has over 120 staff and 30 students. It conducts international research focusing on a range of global issues including sustainability and climate change, where it reports to the UK government on the effects of ocean acidification.

Other significant research includes the cultivation of algae for biofuels and in the treatment of waste water. PML has a wholly owned trading subsidiary to commercialise its research and provide a business focused interface, which is currently working alongside the Boots Group to investigate the innovative usage of algae in skin care and sun protection protects.

It is an independent collaborative centre of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is also a member and host of the Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans (POGO).

New film

Watch PML’s new short film, “Ocean acidification: Connecting science, industry, policy and public”, commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The film brings together a wide range of stakeholders and highlights the vital need for good communication between the groups, to help address global issues such as ocean acidification.

 

SAHFOS

The Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS) is an international charity that operates the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey. The Foundation has been collecting data from the North Atlantic and the North Sea on biogeography and ecology of plankton since 1931. More recently, as the foundation has become more involved in international projects, work has been expanded to include other regions around the globe.

The results of the survey are used by marine biologists scientific institutes and in environmental change studies across the world. A consortium of agencies from nine countries, the EU and international organisations provide financial support.

Website: http://www.sahfos.ac.uk/

 

Marine Biological Association (MBA)

The MBA has earned an international reputation for excellence and innovation in research, by the resident scientific staff and visiting research workers, including seven Nobel laureates. The laboratory in Plymouth has provided facilities since 1888 for in-house and visiting researchers. Some of the earliest research at Plymouth was to identify the marine life present in the area. Those surveys now provide valuable data against which to identify how the sea has changed in relation to impacts. The MBA now supports a wide range of research activities from cell and molecular to understanding ecosystem structure and functioning.

Website: http://www.mba.ac.uk/

 

National Marine Aquarium

The National Marine Aquarium is a registered chairity committed to promoting a sympathetic understanding of the sea through programmes of education, conservation and research. With a mission to drive marine conservation through engagement, the National Marine Aquarium operates the largest public aquarium in the UK and is the lead partner in Just Add H20, a programme for schools that aims to bring the marine curriculum alive.

Website: http://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/

 

Diving Diseases Research Centre

The Diving Diseases Research Centre (DDRC),  now sited at its purpose built headquarters the ‘Hyperbaric Medical Centre’ on the Tamar Science Park adjacent to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, is a charity which aims to promote and take part in the medical treatment, training and research associated with the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of diving diseases and other medical problems.

DDRC was founded in 1980 and relocated it’s operational HQ to the Hyperbaric Medical Centre, a purpose built research and treatment facility in 1996.

Website: http://www.ddrc.org/