Marine Institute
A strategic research institute with one of the largest marine and maritime portfolios in Europe, and an international reputation for world-leading, transdisciplinary research
Our mission is to advance sustainable use of the marine environment through our systems-thinking approach to research, education and innovation.
Plymouth has been a focus for marine science for over 100 years. Our research and partnerships are fundamental in helping us understand the marine environment and how best to tackle the challenges it currently faces.
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS
Professor in Marine Biology
Research priorities
For over 100 years, Plymouth – Britain's Ocean City – has been a focal point for marine research. With support from our partners and collaborators, the University is guiding the way in sustainable approaches, with the aim of ensuring future generations can enjoy the environmental, economic and social benefits of our marine ecosystems.
We adopt a transformative, systems-thinking, multidisciplinary approach to tackle global environmental challenges, bringing together physical, environmental and biological sciences, engineering and maritime business, but also human health, social science, coastal geography, economy, art, history and law.
The Marine Institute has identified five research themes to help address these challenges, identifying the issues, evidencing the solutions and provoking change. Within each theme, we are developing and optimising positive interventions and training the scientists and business leaders of the future.
Our four research priority themes are:
- Towards net zero
- Sustainable blue economy
- Safe seas
- Healthy oceans
The fifth cross-cutting theme, Digital ocean, underpins all our research with technological innovation.
- Life on Earth is threatened by increasing temperature, rising sea levels and more extreme weather events, resulting in flooding and wildfires.
- Our oceans absorb a substantial proportion of CO2 from the atmosphere, mitigating the rise in greenhouse gases to some extent, but this leads to ocean acidification.
- Changes are occurring at a faster rate than nature can adapt to.
We are pioneering the use of marine renewable energy to restore the global carbon balance, driving clean maritime through green shipping and autonomous systems, while increasing natural carbon capture, to minimise harmful effects of human activity.
- 40% of the world’s population live in coastal areas, with many relying on the ocean for their livelihoods.
- The marine environment is a major contributor to food security and 80% of global trade uses the seas, yet human activity is the primary cause for environmental degradation, putting those same livelihoods at risk.
We are shaping positive change in the way humans interact with the ocean by providing the scientific evidence to underpin, design and implement safeguards for its sustainable exploitation. Our research informs policies that ensure the long-term viable provision of ecosystem services, such as food, recreation and tourism, maritime shipping and heritage, and health and wellbeing.
- Technological, societal and environmental threats can result directly from human reliance on the ocean, as well as from natural hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
- Threats ranging from cyber attacks to coastal erosion or flooding all have the potential to cause major disruption.
Our world-leading expertise and facilities in cyber security drive innovative solutions to protect infrastructure at sea, while our forecasting and analysing of extreme natural events, alongside ground-breaking numerical modelling and novel engineering solutions, underpin impact mitigation of flooding and other coastal hazards.
- Accelerated industrial development, coupled with a progressively throw-away society, has played a significant role in the degradation of our oceans through pollution.
- These societal trends have serious negative effects for marine ecosystems, reducing our ability to rely on them as a source of food.
Our researchers study the sources and impacts of factors that degrade the marine environment, including pollution and habitat destruction, in order to help develop and test practical solutions.
- We urgently need to optimise the sustainable use of our oceans for food and energy security, while protecting and improving planetary health
- To achieve our objectives, we need rapid acceleration in the development of digital technology.
Our world-leading expertise in the application of secure marine autonomous systems has the potential to underpin a wide range of activities, including scientific monitoring, observation, deep-sea exploration, the generation of renewable energy, and defence. Furthermore, innovative AI techniques for biological image analysis are being used to inform environmental management.
Delivering on the UK's defence and security priorities
“The threats we now face are more serious and less predictable than at any time since the Cold War.”
The UK's 2025 Strategic Defence Review sets out a vision to make Britain safer, secure at home and strong abroad. Through its military connections, and place at the heart of a city steeped in naval history, the University of Plymouth is delivering on that vision and much more.
Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries
At Plymouth, a broad perspective on aquaculture and fisheries management is enabled by our transdisciplinary, systems-thinking approach.
From the health and nutrition of farmed fish, crustaceans and bivalves, to marine conservation, fish tracking, habitats and natural capital, our research explores how all of these diverse elements help contribute towards responsible marine and freshwater food production, and, in doing so, how they support coastal economies and contribute to the national food security agenda.
Latest news in marine and maritime
Decline in plankton across North East Atlantic sends stark warning for ocean health
A new study found there were no habitats assessed as being of ‘Good Environmental Status’ in a region stretching from Portugal to Norway
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![In May 2026, the University of Plymouth ran an autonomy course for students based at the Hydrographic and Meteorological Training Unit (HMTU) at Devonport, as well as officers from the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman]()
University supports military workforce with skills and professional developmentOur academics have run sessions in marine autonomy and maritime cyber security for the Royal Navy and a number of other organisations
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![The Plymouth Breakwater]()
Testing environment could transform underwater innovation and researchSmart Sound Connect Subsurface extends the capabilities offered through the UK's premier marine autonomy testbed beneath the ocean surface
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![Professor Mel Austen]()
University academic features in the 2026 ENDS Power ListProfessor Melanie Austen is one of only 10 academics named among the people making the greatest impact on the UK environmental sector
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![Professor Matthew Palmer has been working in the marine autonomy sector for more than two decades and will officially join the University of Plymouth as its new Professor of Marine Autonomy and Environmental Intelligence in June]()
University appoints senior academic to drive marine autonomy innovation and collaborationProfessor Matthew Palmer will join the University in June
- More related news
Parliamentary evidence week
Marine researchers have briefed parliamentarians on pressing policy issues for Evidence Week in Parliament since 2023.
At this annual opportunity for parliamentarians and researchers to come together to share knowledge and insights to inform their policy-making decisions, our researchers have provided evidence on:
- Marine light pollution
- Offshore aquaculture and food security
- Plastics and microplastics pollution
- Cyber security at sea
Education and innovation
Industry support
We support both small and medium-sized businesses, and large multi-nationals, regionally, nationally, and across the world, through:
- long-term strategic partnerships to help with product and performance testing, workforce development, and ongoing research and development support
- support to access public funds
- and access to a large talent pool of students and PhDs.
University student and staff opportunities
We support students and early-career researchers to maximise their potential by providing access to funding, training and external opportunities through partnerships.
We support senior academic colleagues with financial support and training.
Contact the Marine Institute
Marine Institute, Level 3, Marine Building, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA
The Marine Institute: an integral part of the University's strategic research for the future
Enhanced by creative contributions from the arts, humanities and business, the University’s research spans two research institutes that are committed to finding solutions to some of the biggest global challenges.
