Healthy oceans

Learn how the Marine Institute is tackling plastic pollution and the loss of habitat and marine biodiversity to protect the health of our oceans, from the coast to the deep sea
Ocean water and plastic trash, aerial view 1280 - 720
 
 
 
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. 

Research centres and groups

Plastic litter washed up on beach with tree International Marine Litter Research Unit

Man fishing in small boat above coral reef.  Marine Conservation Research Group

Mussels in ecotoxicology lab Genetic Toxicology and Ecotoxicology Research Group

More centres and groups striving for healthier oceans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Research projects and initiatives

Getty image 872418096 tyres  TYRE-LOSS: Lost at Sea – where are all the tyre particles?
 A project that brings multiple research organisations, industries and policy-makers together to reveal the impact of tyre particles on the marine environment

Getty lyme bay Monitoring the recovery of Lyme Bay
 Over 10 years of research projects that involve extensive monitoring and support within a vulnerable marine protected area

Getty nuclear power station TRANSAT (TRANSversal Actions for Tritium)
 A £4 million project exploring the potential dangers posed by tritium – a rare radioactive isotope of hydrogen produced during nuclear fission

More projects striving for healthier oceans
A selection of further projects:
Beaked whales hypoxia tolerance, behavioural response
Biological monitoring for riverine systems
Bottlenose dolphin movements
Bottlenose dolphin whistle analysis
Climate-driven changes in breeding phenology in fin whales
Coral Reef Exometabolomes:  organismal physiology and environmental health
Description of the Walvis Ridge
Hepatic 3D spheroids, testing in toxicology (SPHERTOX)
Metal contaminants in agricultural catchments, water quality
Underwater noise monitoring
Tropical refuges for cetaceans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Making an impact through leading research and expertise

Our longstanding, reputable portfolio of research and innovation, ensures we are well-placed to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals and inform national and international policy.
  • Directly contributed to and influenced environmental policies, guided industrial practice and helped instigate a shift in public understanding about the impact of plastic pollution. 
  • Influenced the UK decision to tax plastic bags in 2015 and the 2018 ban of cosmetic microbeads in the UK, followed by similar bans in countries around the world.
  • Contributed substantially to the understanding of how marine biodiversity is responding to environmental change and informed decisions at a regional, national and international levels. 
  • Led the science-policy working group on the implementation of pelagic habitat biodiversity conservation, as part of the UK's and EU's marine strategies.
 
 
 

Study opportunities

Our marine- and ocean-related degrees are supporting the next generation of thinkers and change-makers to keep our oceans healthy.
Marine Biology students on an experimental field course Algarve, Portugal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We supervise postgraduate research in the following areas: