Centre for Marine Biology and Conservation Science (CMACS)

Leading interdisciplinary research for a sustainable ocean future

Man fishing in small boat above coral reef, CMACS

Centre for Marine Biology and Conservation Science (CMACS)

Leading interdisciplinary research for a sustainable ocean future

The Centre for Marine Biology and Conservation Science (CMACS) unites the University of Plymouth's long-standing and internationally recognised research in marine biology and marine conservation science.

By providing an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for knowledge exchange and relationship development, CMACS drives ambitious, innovative, interdisciplinary, world-class marine research.

CMACS is an exciting space that creates opportunities for marine scientists to collaborate with other scientists, disciplines and stakeholders, forming transdisciplinary partnerships to tackle some of the worlds biggest challenges.

Professor Emma Sheehan
Co-Director of CMACS and Professor of Marine Ecology

By uniting our internationally recognised expertise in marine biology and conservation science, CMACS creates exciting new opportunities for collaboration and innovation, enabling research that will make a meaningful difference to the future of our oceans.

Dr Nicola Foster
Co-Director CMACS and Lecturer in Marine Biology

Our mission:

Drive collaborative, inclusive and interdisciplinary marine research
Create opportunities for early career researchers
Disseminate marine biology and conservation science research excellence
Promote marine biology and conservation science research at a regional, national and international level.

Research themes

Shoal of small fish swimming together over seafloor with seagrass, Atlantic ocean.

Marine protected areas and ecosystem restoration

Marine climate change impacts and adaptations

Marine plastics and pollution

Blue carbon

Image of waves crashing on beach with sun shining

Society and the sea

Sustainable fisheries and restorative aquaculture

Offshore wind farm at sunset. Image courtesy of Getty Images.

Offshore renewable energy and the environment

Marine vertebrate conservation ecology

Blacklip butterflyfish takes cover in sponge

Biodiversity, ecology and biogeography

Can the seas ensure food security to feed a growing world population?

From the health and nutrition of farmed fish, crustaceans and bivalves, to marine conservation, fish tracking, habitat studies and long-term ecological monitoring, research at the University of Plymouth is exploring 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 national food security.

Research team

Professor Emma Sheehan

Professor of Marine Ecology

Co-Director of CMACS
Dr Nicola Foster

Lecturer in Marine Biology

Co-Director of CMACS
Professor Martin Attrill

Professor of Marine Ecology
Professor Sian Rees

Associate Head of School - Research
Professor Kayleigh Wyles

Professor of Environmental Psychology
Dr Benjamin Ciotti

Associate Professor of Marine Biology
Professor Kerry Howell

Professor of Deep-Sea Ecology
Professor David Bilton

Professor of Aquatic Biology
Professor John Spicer

Professor
Dr Clare Embling

Associate Head of School for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop

Associate Head of School - International
Professor Mark Briffa

Associate Head of School (Teaching and Learning)
Professor Melanie Austen

Professor of Ocean and Society
Professor Ralph Fyfe

Professor
Professor Richard Preziosi

Head of School
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS

Professor in Marine Biology
Mr Aaron Barrett

Lecturer in Autonomy
Dr Alexander Wilson

Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology
Dr Angela Stevenson

Associate Professor
Dr Claire Szostek

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Dr Fabio Favoretto

Lecturer in Marine Biology and Scientific Diving
Dr Joan Alfaro

Lecturer in Marine Biology
Dr Keiron Fraser

Associate Professor (Education) in Marine Conservation
Dr Lucy Turner

Associate Professor in Marine Biology
Dr Lynda Rodwell

Associate Lecturer
Dr Manuela Truebano

Associate Professor in Marine Ecophysiology
Dr Matthew Perkins

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Dr Miriam Reverter

Lecturer in Marine Biology
Dr Nicola Quick

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Dr Oliver Tills

Senior Research Fellow
Dr Pete Cotton

Associate Professor in Ecology
Dr Robert Puschendorf

Associate Professor in Conservation Biology
Dr Sarah Gall

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Dr Sarah Lane

Lecturer in Behaviour and Evolution
Dr Simon Ingram

Associate Professor of Marine Conservation
Dr Thomas Davies

Associate Professor of Marine Conservation
Dr Tom LETESSIER

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Dr Tracy Aze

Associate Professor in Marine Ecology
Dr Vikki Cheung

Project Manager
Amy Cartwright

Project Support Officer

Previous Next

Marine conservation news

Pseudo-nitzschia are a common component of the phytoplankton community along Europe’s Atlantic coast and the North Sea, and a number of species produce the toxins responsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning

Study provides detailed assessment of shifts in toxin-producing phytoplankton abundance

The University led a study showing how the abundance and distribution of two groups of phytoplankton have changed over the last six decades

14 May 2026

Study explores how science can support and enable the High Seas Treaty
Research led by Dr Claire Szostek explored current science that can help deliver the agreement’s objectives and the gaps that need to be addressed

2 April 2026
Partnership develops real-time marine mammal detection system
The University of Plymouth and MSeis are working together through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership

9 March 2026
Releasing pollack at depth could benefit their long-term survival
The new research led by the University follows a UK-EU agreement to introduce recreational management for pollack

12 February 2026
More related news