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Our vision is for a healthy and sustainable ocean
Plymouth Marine Laboratory conducts multidisciplinary research at the cutting edge of marine science to understand the complex marine environment and help solve the challenges it faces.
Who we areOur mission and values
I have always been fascinated by our natural environment and have spent my lifetime poking around in watery systems to observe the inhabitants within. Working at PML fosters this passion and enables me to discover and communicate how biological, chemical and physical systems interact in pristine and impacted marine ecosystems.
Dr Andy ReesMarine biogeochemist
Delivering science with impact
PML is committed to delivering world-leading research that furthers our understanding of the ocean and creates positive outcomes for society and the environment.
Explore our scienceOur impactFeatured projects
Biodiversity in the Open Ocean: Mapping, Monitoring and Modelling (BOOMS)
Increasing pressure due to anthropogenic drivers is leading to a reduction of global biodiversity and its associated benefits at the planetary scale. In open ocean (seafloor depth greater than 200 ...
Biodiversity of the Coastal Ocean: Monitoring with Earth Observation (BiCOME)
BiCOME will develop a better understanding of how the community structure and function of coastal ecosystems will respond to the anthropogenic and natural drivers in a changing climate.
MSPACE: Marine Spatial Planning Addressing Climate Effects
MSPACE is a 3 year project designed to drive forward the capability of the four UK nations in designing and implementing climate-smart marine spatial plans.Addressing global challenges
Climate change, ocean acidification, pollution and over-exploitation of natural resources – the ocean is facing greater challenges than ever. At PML we work at global, regional and local levels, alongside partners across the world, to deliver the science needed for a sustainable ocean future.
View our partnerships
Understanding a changing planet
Human influence has had detrimental effects on the atmosphere, ocean and land, including the warming and acidification of the marine environment. PML is renowned for its unique expertise in monitoring the effects of these changes, integrating traditional research with advanced digital science techniques and technologies.
PML is addressing these issues through our Science to impact Challenge areas, which include:
Autonomy, technology and digitisation,
Biodiversity,
Cleaner seas,
Climate change, and
Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
View all of our research topics
