Merger Strengthens Future for Marine Biology

The Marine Biological Association (MBA) and the Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey, (previously the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science - SAHFOS) - successfully established organisations in Plymouth, UK- have joined operations bringing a stronger research base and promising opportunities for new discoveries in marine biology.

Both can demonstrate global impact: the MBA was established in 1884 and counts seven Nobel Prize winners among those who have worked there. In 2013 the MBA was awarded a Royal Charter in recognition of its long and eminent history and its status within the field of marine biology. SAHFOS is an international non-profit organisation operating global surveys that measure the ecological health of the ocean using marine plankton.

As a result of the merger the MBA is now 30% larger and has pooled impressive expertise and experience: the world’s longest and most spatially extensive biological datasets; fisheries science expertise ranging from the role of plankton in fisheries recruitment to fish behaviour; and developing new ‘environmental DNA’ fingerprinting tools that will enable forensic assessments of marine life from nothing more than a cup of seawater.

The MBA has also welcomed Professor Willie Wilson as its new director, who commented: “Together we represent a truly international constituency of marine scientists and a centre of independent, outward-looking research. This new chapter in our eminent history is about reigniting our founders’ spirits of discovery to ensure the new MBA is seen as one of the most widely recognised and respected marine biology organisations in the world.”

All MBA and CPR Survey operations will continue as normal but with enhanced capacity.