Marine Conservation Research Group

Investigating the consequences of human activity on marine biodiversity and its ecosystem services

Man fishing in small boat above coral reef.

The Marine Conservation Research Group investigates the consequences of human activity on marine biodiversity and its ecosystem services in order to provide scientific evidence and management advice for the benefit of marine ecosystems and society.

Within the group, there are several units working in key areas of marine conservation:

Our research themes

Marine conservation news

Six decades of decline sparks call to protect the foundation of the marine food web

The research was led by scientists from the University of Plymouth working with partners across the UK and Europe

13 September 2023

Project assesses wider ecological benefits of UK’s first offshore mussel farm
The Ropes to Reefs project has received funding from the Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) scheme

20 July 2023
Underwater camera network to monitor the habitat needs of juvenile fish
The University is leading a project that will create a network of underwater cameras along the region’s coasts and estuaries

20 July 2023
Scientists develop novel approach to help map diverse habitats and species in the unexplored deep ocean
The research is the result of ongoing work by an international team of researchers and led by the University

12 July 2023
Researchers call for public help to monitor elusive pod of bottlenose dolphins
The South Coast pod are the smallest population in the UK and their numbers have remained low since the 1990s

12 May 2023
More related news

People

Dr Sian Rees

Associate Head of School - Research

Group lead
Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop

Associate Professor of Marine Conservation
Dr Adam Rees

Visiting Researcher
Dr Alexander Wilson

Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology
Dr Alice Hall

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Dr Amelia Bridges

Research Fellow
Amy Cartwright

Project Support Officer
Dr Anaelle Lemasson

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Dr Benjamin Ciotti

Lecturer in Marine Biology
Dr Clare Embling

Associate Professor of Marine Ecology
Miss Dannielle Eager

Technical Project Support
Dr Emma Rendle

Emma Rendle
Dr Emma Sheehan

Associate Professor of Marine Ecology (Research)
Miss Florence Barraud
Miss Florence Parker-Jurd

Associate Research Fellow (TYRE LOSS Project)
Dr Gillian Glegg

Associate Professor in Marine Management
Miss Giulia La Bianca
Dr Holly Niner

Research/Knowledge Exchange Fellow - Social-Ecological Systems
Dr Imogen Napper

Visiting Research Fellow
Professor Jason Hall-Spencer

Professor of Marine Biology
Jenny Hickman

Project Support Officer
Miss Joanna Harris

Research Assistant
Professor Kerry Howell

Professor of Deep-Sea Ecology
Dr Kirsty McQuaid

One Ocean Hub Research Fellow
Mr Kyran Graves
Kizzy Beaumont
Dr Louise Firth

Associate Professor of Marine Ecology
Dr Lynda Rodwell

Associate Professor in Ecological Economics
Dr Llucia Mascorda-Cabre

Post Doctoral Research Associate
Ms Madeline Gee
Mr Matthew Faith
Dr Matt Holland

Research Fellow
Professor Martin Attrill

Professor of Marine Ecology
Dr Matthew Ashley

Research Fellow - Social-Ecological Systems
Professor Melanie Austen

Professor of Ocean and Society
Dr Miriam Reverter

Lecturer in Marine Biology
Nata Tavonvunchai
Dr Nicola Quick

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Miss Naomi Westlake

Weekend LVI Technician
Dr Nicola Foster

Lecturer in Marine Biology
Oliver Thomas
Peter Davies

Post-Doctoral Researcher
Miss Rachel Turnbull
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS

Director of the Marine Institute
Dr Robert Puschendorf

Associate Professor in Conservation Biology
Shion Reynell

SWEEP Impact Assistant
Dr Simon Ingram

Associate Professor of Marine Conservation
Dr Sarah Gall

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Dr Thomas Stamp

Post Doctoral Research Associate
Dr Thomas Davies

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Mr Tom Mullier

Research Assistant AB
Dr Vikki Cheung

Project Manager
Dr Winnie Courtene-Jones

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Environmental Biology), Biodegradable Plastics