Marine Biological Association

Recently, Chloe, DASSH Data Manager, attended the Plymouth Shark Science and Conservation Committee at Royal Williams Yard, organised by The Shark trust as part of Shark Month.

The event brought together researchers, conservationists and science communicators to showcase shark research informing conservation and policy in the South West and beyond.

Chloe presented on data flows, demonstrating how effective data management underpins marine research, and supports evidence-based decision making.

This was a great opportunity to share knowledge, build connections and celebrate the collaborative efforts driving shark conservation forward.

Marine heatwaves, expanding warm-water species and changing marine habitats highlight a rapidly evolving marine ecosystem.

Partners in the world of marine research and observation, including the Marine Biological Association (MBA), have highlighted major ecological changes occurring across the region’s waters in the latest State of South-West Seas 2025 report.

https://www.mba.ac.uk/warming-seas-drive-major-changes-in-south-west-uk-marine-wildlife-report-reveals/

Join Dr Clare Ostle for the webinar, Marine chemistry in a warming world: preserving Earth’s largest natural buffer on Wednesday 15th July, 15.00 - 16.00

Register for free here - https://www.chemistryworld.com/webinars/marine-chemistry-in-a-warming-world-preserving-earths-largest-natural-buffer/4023606.article

❗Warning: This course may lead to excessive enthusiasm about data governance❗

Registration is NOW OPEN for MEDIN’s popular FREE online training: Marine Data Management, Governance and the MEDIN Toolset

Whether you're new to MEDIN, looking to strengthen your organisation’s data management practices, or keen to improve how marine data is collected, curated and shared, this workshop is for you!

📅 Choose from three upcoming dates:
🔹 7–11 Sept 2026
🔗 https://classroom.oceanteacher.org/course/view.php?id=1313
🔑 Enrolment key: MEDIN@

🔹 19–23 Oct 2026
🔗 https://classroom.oceanteacher.org/course/view.php?id=1314
🔑 Enrolment key: MEDIN@

🔹 22–26 Feb 2027
🔗 https://classroom.oceanteacher.org/course/view.php?id=1315
🔑 Enrolment key: MEDIN@

Why join?
▪️ Gain a practical introduction to MEDIN and its role in the marine data landscape
▪️ Explore best practices in data acquisition, management, analysis and sharing
▪️ Learn how robust data governance can improve organisational efficiency
▪️ Connect with colleagues across the marine data community

Find out more on the MEDIN website or contact [email protected] with any questions 👉 https://medin.org.uk/

An international study led by Marine Biological Association (MBA) Postdoctoral Research Scientist Dr Freya Womersley is helping to transform how researchers study the world’s largest known living fish species, offering practical guidance to improve whale shark tagging techniques and strengthen conservation efforts.

Dr Womersley led the study alongside colleagues from the MBA’s Sims Group, including Project Technical Officer Ronan Conlon, PhD student Amy Jeffries, Project Scientific Officer Dr Emily Southall and Senior Research Fellow Professor David Sims, as part of a large international collaboration.

Read more about the study on our website - https://www.mba.ac.uk/mba-led-study-advances-whale-shark-tagging-techniques-to-support-global-conservation/

🌊 New data has just dropped! 📊

We've recently published 7 new marine biodiversity datasets on the DASSH mapper...
🦀 4 datasets from DAERA
🌱 1 dataset from NatureScot
🪸 2 datasets from the Marine Biological Association

Dive in and discover these datasets using the DASSH Mapper: https://www.dassh.ac.uk/dasshmapper