Press office news tagged marine-biology

A new study by scientists at the University of Plymouth and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has highlighted the impact coastal freshening could have on species living in the shallow coastal waters off Antarctica

‘Damaging the Antarctic damages us all’ – scientists warn of the potential impacts of coastal freshening

University of Plymouth news: Scientists at the University and the British Antarctic Survey investigated how shifts in ocean salinity - a phenomenon known as freshening - could affect marine species in the Antarctic

A person prepares to apply sunscreen to their body on a beach. This image relates to research by the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) relating to the environmental impacts on sunscreen on marine life. Getty Images.

Over half of people are unaware of the environmental effects of sunscreen

University of Plymouth news: A new study by researchers at the University and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) comes during a summer when the UK has basked in almost unbroken sunshine for several weeks

A three-year project, led by the University of Plymouth, will investigate the movement of common dolphins throughout the year and assess how much noise they are exposed to from passing vessels 2.25 MB A three-year project, led by the University of Plymout

Project investigates how ship noise is affecting dolphins and porpoises

University of Plymouth news: Researchers from the University are launching a major new study to understand how underwater noise from ships could be impacting common dolphins and harbour porpoises in the English Channel

Tope Shark

Project provides new insights on breeding habits and behaviours of vulnerable marine species

University of Plymouth news: A new project led by our Centre for Marine Biology and Conservation Science (CMACS) aims to shed light on two of the country’s least understood and vulnerable marine species – tope sharks and undulate rays

Vampire crabs (Geosesarma species) are small, semi-terrestrial tropical crabs native to Southeast Asia. These Red Devil Vampire Crabs (Geosesarma hagen) are the subject of ongoing research at the University of Plymouth to establish their behaviours

Scientists provide first assessment of online global trade in brachyuran land crabs

University of Plymouth news: Research led by the University aims to pave the way for informed decisions about the catching, importing and exporting of key species including vampire crabs

Atlantic Ocean wide

Decline in plankton across North East Atlantic sends stark warning for ocean health

University of Plymouth news: A new study led by the University found there were no habitats assessed as being of ‘Good Environmental Status’ in a region stretching along the coasts and ocean from Portugal to Norway

Professor Mel Austen

University academic features in the 2026 ENDS Power List

University of Plymouth news: Professor Melanie Austen is one of only 10 academics included on a list celebrating the people making the greatest impact on the UK environmental sector.

Plastic bottle floating in the sea

Food and drink related litter dominates global plastic pollution

University of Plymouth news: New research led by the University has generated the world’s first overview of global marine litter by usage type.

A screengrab from a video showing a pollack being lowered back into the ocean, and then released, after being caught as part of a research project led by the University of Plymouth

Releasing pollack at depth could benefit their long-term survival

University of Plymouth news: New research led by the University has suggested changing how pollack are released after being caught by recreational anglers could have a marked difference on the fisheries’ long-term sustainability

The common octopus is native to UK waters but is typically rare, favouring warmer seas further south in Europe and the Mediterranean

New report reveals scale, causes and consequences of South West octopus bloom

University of Plymouth news: Our researchers have contributed to a new report revealing that a dramatic population bloom of the common octopus is having significant effects on fisheries and marine ecosystems

Getty image deep sea ocean 

University co-leads $2m project using AI to study vulnerable deep-sea habitats

University of Plymouth news: The University of Plymouth has been awarded funding through the Bezos Earth Fund’s AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge for a two-year initiative using AI to accelerate mapping of vulnerable marine ecosystems

Juvenile fish from the FinVision project

Global review identifies opportunities to improve monitoring of juvenile fish habitats

University of Plymouth news: Scientists from the University, working as part of an International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) working group, have called for new research to enhance habitat protection