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. 

Marine Conservation Research Group

Investigating the consequences of human activity on marine biodiversity and its ecosystem services
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:
Please contact research group leader Professor Emma Sheehan  with any queries, or visit our theme pages for specific projects and associated staff for further details.

Our research themes

Image of waves crashing on beach with sun shining
Society and the sea
Montenegro aquaculture
Fishing and aquaculture
Climate change
Blue carbon, climate change and ocean acidification
Shoal of small fish swimming together over seafloor with seagrass, Atlantic ocean.
Marine Protected Areas
Oil Rig with ship at sea during a storm, Copyright: Nightman1965, courtesy of Shutterstock
Extractive industries
Plastic bag in the ocean
Plastics and pollution
Coastal processes research group google earth plugin image
Nature-based solutions
Offshore wind farm at sunset. Image courtesy of Getty Images.
Marine renewables
 

Marine conservation news

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

The new research led by the University follows a UK-EU agreement to introduce recreational management for pollack

12 February 2026
 

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