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Decline in plankton across North East Atlantic sends stark warning for ocean health

A new study, involving scientists from PML, found there were no habitats assessed as being of ‘Good Environmental Status’ in a region stretching from Portugal to Norway.

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Greenwich Park, heatwave 2022. CC BY-SA 2.0, Alisdare Hickson

24 June 2026

PML scientists contribute to significant UK climate risk assessment, warning of accelerating impacts

Scientists from PML have contributed to the Fourth UK Climate Change Risk Assessment, a recently published major independent technical report that del...

20 June 2026

Blueprint for a climate-resilient ocean future: Orkney Islands research points a way forward

The MSPACE report shows how balance can be found between ocean conservation and economic development in a changing climate.

19 June 2026

Innovation underwater: expanded testing environment supports UK marine autonomy

A demo of Smart Sound Connect Subsurface was hosted at PML earlier this week

18 June 2026

A ‘super’ El Niño has the power to devastate fishing – and leave seals and sea lions starving

PML’s Dr Samantha Garrard has written for The Conversation UK about the growing likelihood of a “super” El Niño event developing in the Pacific...

11 June 2026

PML joins global call to place ocean at heart of COP31 climate action

An open letter has been signed by more than 150 world leaders, scientists, and institutions.

11 June 2026

Detected from space: 20 years of data shows declining photosynthesis in UK and surrounding waters

A new study by scientists at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) has revealed a significant long-term decline in ocean productivity across large parts o...

08 June 2026

PML scientists contribute to UN ocean assessment warning of compounding threats but also pathways towards a sustainable future

This week the third World Ocean Assessment was launched which includes major contributions by PML scientists. This assessment is the only global integ...

08 June 2026

Can Marine Protected Areas withstand climate change?

As the world marks World Ocean Day 2026 under the theme ‘Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet’, PML’s Dr Liz Talbot explains exactl...

05 June 2026

PML announces new Head of Group for Environmental Intelligence

It was announced this week that Dr James Clark has been appointed Head of Group for Environmental Intelligence at Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

05 June 2026

Five years of Marine Research Plymouth Alliance: driving global impact from the UK

This five–year anniversary underscores the strength and longevity of the partnership and its growing impact on both regional and international stag...

04 June 2026

Coastal light pollution: taking research on artificial light at night to Chile - and its vast coastline

PML’s Dr Keila Guillen Oñate has recently returned from Chile, where she shared PML’s latest research on public perceptions of mitigation m...

02 June 2026

MEDIA: Uncertainty about weakening Atlantic currents isn’t a reason to wait – it’s a reason to act

PML’s Professor Helen Findlay has written for Mongabay.com about the growing concerns surrounding the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (A...

29 May 2026

Unravelling the Southwest UK Octopus Phenomenon

Missed the PlymSEF Annual Spring Lecture? Not to fear! The sold-out event, hosted at the National Marine Aquarium was recorded with thanks to our fri...

27 May 2026

MEDIA: Tuna has overtaken cod as the UK’s top‑selling seafood – here’s why

PML’s Professor Angus Atkinson MBE writes for The Conversation UK on the increase of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the southwest UK, and why tuna has now...

Single use water bottle in the ocean. Naja Bertolt Jensen | Unsplash

22 May 2026

Food and drink litter dominates global plastic pollution

A new study reveals the most common types of marine litter worldwide.

20 May 2026

Trading the Lab for Parliament: My POST Fellowship Experience

For three months, marine science PhD researcher Stephanie Day swapped Plymouth for Westminster to explore how research informs policymaking through a ...

Busy bay of the south Caribbean island, Guadeloupe. Olivier Piquer | Unsplash

15 May 2026

PML shares marine planning knowledge and tools at Caribbean UNESCO summit

This week a PML scientist has been sharing cutting-edge marine spatial planning knowledge and tools with Caribbean nations at a high-level UNESCO meet...

Plankton sample including Dinophysis. Claire Widdicombe, PML

14 May 2026

Mapping toxin-producing phytoplankton; the scourge of shellfisheries

Researchers in the UK, including phytoplankton experts from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), have shown how the distributions of two phytoplankton gr...

14 May 2026

PML’s data architect selected for prestigious national DAFNI Fellowship

PML’s Dr Tom Mansfield has been selected as a 2026 Fellow of the Data & Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure (DAFNI), where he will explor...

13 May 2026

PML’s Professor Shubha Sathyendranath MBE awarded prestigious Nansen Polar Bear Award

A legacy of marine science: PML’s Professor Shubha Sathyendranath MBE has been awarded the 2026 Nansen Polar Bear Award in recognition of her out...

07 May 2026

PML backs call for safeguards on emerging ocean carbon removal technologies

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) has joined international organisations in backing a new joint statement calling for robust governance, transparency...

06 May 2026

MEDIA: PML’s research on ‘Mighty mangroves’ in Asia Research News 2026

Plymouth Marine Laboratory’s research on mangrove ecosystems has been featured in Asia Research News 2026, highlighting ongoing collaborations betwe...

Irene and Loren by the beach taking a selfie

01 May 2026

From Plymouth to Brazil: PML researchers join global SOLAS Summer School!

Early career scientists from PML joined a global cohort in Brazil to build skills, collaborations and knowledge to tackle climate challenges.