Established in 1884 The Marine Biological Association Incorporated by Royal Charter

INE BIO R LO A G M I C

E A

H Annual Report L 2017-18 T A S N S O O C I ATI About Us Contents

The Marine Biological Association (MBA) is one of the world’s longest-running societies dedicated to promoting research into our oceans and the life they 4 Director’s Welcome support. Since 1884 we have been providing a unified, clear, independent 6 Membership voice on behalf of the marine biological community and currently have a growing membership in over 40 countries. We also run a leading marine 8 Policy biological research laboratory where many eminent scientists - including 10 Education and Training seven Nobel prize winners - have carried out their research. 13 National Marine Biological Library Donations and Legacies 14 Research 30 Consultancy The MBA is fortunate to represent a community Local organisations include the Cooperative 31 Data and Information of individuals who are passionate about marine Local Community Fund who donated towards a Incorporated by Royal Charter biology and the marine environment. One of the beach rangers event, and MBA Member Dr Colin 32 Publications ways this manifests itself is in donations and Kilvington who once again made an individual legacies provided to the Association to invest contribution to support the Bioblitz work (see last Cover image: The short-snouted seahorse Design and Layout: Gemma Brice in everything from education and outreach, to year’s report for a special thanks to Colin for his Hippocampus hippocampus. © Hans Hillewaert Editorial Team: Matt Frost, Gemma Brice and funding research projects. The Alan Southward ongoing support). The Marine Biological Association Maggie Thomas fund (established in 1996 was used to support the There are many ways of contributing to the work of The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, Devon, National Marine Biological Library (NMBL) along Proof-reading: Marion Smith and Martina Brunetta the MBA. We are of course grateful for donations PL1 2PB with funds previously donated by G. P. Bidder and and legacies, and to this end, the MBA has a Printer: Kingsfisher, Totnes E. T. Browne) continues to be of enormous help in Copyright 2018 © The Marine Biological Association dedicated site to help those seeking to make a Paper: Printed on recycled paper funding important library work in 2017, including Reg. Charity no. 1155893 donation: a survey of the conservation needs of the NMBL’s E [email protected] Special Collection. The Professor Anne Warner www.mba.ac.uk/support-marine-biology T +44 (0)1752 426493 fund (used to establish the Warner Fellowship The site also provides information on the range of position) has been supporting Dr Pawel Burkhardt areas that would benefit from your support, and we for a number of years and will now support a would be happy to provide information or advice if new exciting research area led by Dr Burkhardt’s you would like to contribute in any way: @MarineBiologicalAssociation @Marine-Biological-Association replacement as the new fellowship holder.

Donations in this reporting period come from a contact: [email protected] range of organisations and individuals. @thembauk @thembauk

2 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 3 I would like to give a special thanks to all those who support the MBA and its aims, from Members and donors to the always dedicated and hardworking staff Access Journals, which is a challenge for many Finally, I would like to give a special thanks to all learned societies for whom journal income is an those who support the MBA and its aims, from important revenue stream. At the international level, Members and donors, to the always dedicated and preparations for the UN Decade of Ocean Science hardworking staff. I would like to provide a special for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) are mention to our Trustees who do so much work underway and the MBA will be seeking to promote behind the scenes. This year for example, Professor fundamental marine biological research as being Peter Holland is stepping down after 20 years as central to this endeavour. a Trustee (see page 14) and we also remember Sir Geoffrey Holland, who was President whilst the I know that the MBA will continue to evolve to meet MBA received its Royal Charter, and who sadly these challenges as we have for nearly 135 years! passed away in 2017. These are just two excellent In addition to our national and international reach, Director’s Welcome examples of the numerous individuals who give up the MBA also strives to work closely with local a considerable amount of time in supporting the It is a privilege to write this Director’s overview There continues to be a diversity of activities at the marine institutes and organisations. In fact, as I Association to ensure marine biological research for 2017-18, a period in which I held the post of MBA’s Citadel Hill Laboratory including the world- write this it is with satisfaction of knowing that we and the marine environment continues to get the Interim Director as a result of Professor Colin class research programme that continues to go from have successfully overseen the incorporation of attention it deserves. Brownlee stepping down after 10 years at the strength to strength (see pages 14-30). the internationally renowned Continuous helm in order to focus fully on his research The fact that two European Research Council Recorder Survey, formerly operated by the Sir Alister (Colin continues at the MBA as a Senior grants have been won by MBA Research Fellows, Hardy Foundation (SAHFOS), into the MBA. Much of Research Fellow). in addition to numerous the year was focused on making this happen, which I Working with our Members to other successful funding am sure you will be hearing more about in the future As I return to my Deputy bids, is testament to the from the new Director who will oversee the new Dr Matthew Frost Mem.MBA, FRSB Director role (with a focus represent the marine biological expertise and dedication merged organisation (see ‘looking forward’ below). on working with members community continues to be at found within the MBA’s to enhance the MBA’s Incoming Director Greeting the heart of all we do Science Programme. Looking forward “In April 2018 I was delighted an international leader in Marine position as the leading to be appointed Director of the Biology. With a larger body of Learned Society for ), I can reflect on It is always gratifying to see visitors to Citadel Hill new MBA, now incorporating the expertise, the time is right for the a rewarding year with significant growth in all areas being inspired by the amazing science, whether Continuous Plankton Recorder MBA to take a lead on the as well as looking forward to an exciting future. they are a fellow scientist, a government minister Survey. challenges ahead.” or a young person considering their future career. Working with our Members to represent the marine Scientific synergies from this We also have a range of national and international biological community continues to be at the heart merger are important and will Prof Willie H. Wilson FMBA programmes and facilities as well as expertise in of all we do, whether through speaking out on the strengthen the MBA’s position as consultancy, education, and data and information. relevant issues (such as Brexit and marine funding, see page 8), providing Our world-class research Like many societies and training opportunities and associations, the MBA encouraging the next programme continues to go continues to deliver this Council Members generation of marine from strength to strength wide range of activities biologists (page 7) or whilst also planning for a The MBA which is governed by its members through a distinguished Council of leading scientists and public working with the wider community to share resources future that is uncertain in terms of the political and figures also includes a number of members who are elected at theAnnual General Meeting and who serve (page 9). The Membership Team are always working funding landscape. ‘Brexit’ may be taking all the for a period of three years. hard to identify opportunities to improve the way headlines but other factors, such as the bringing President: Professor Sir John Beddington CMG, FRS Prof Alison G. Smith FMBA FRSB we support our Members and better represent the together of all the UK Research Councils under a Dr Jennifer Ashworth FMBA Prof Michael Whitaker FMedSci FRBS FMBA FRSA community. It is also worth saying that the marine single umbrella organisation, the UK Research and Professor Chris Frid FMBA Prof Alistair Hetherington FMBA environment is receiving more attention from Innovation (UKRI), are also likely to lead to changes Prof Peter Holland MA PhD DSc FLS FMBA FRS Prof Rory Wilson governments and the public than it has for a long for the research community. One of the issues Prof Philip Rainbow FMBA Prof Dan Laffolley FMBA while, so it is good for us as an Association to make UKRI will have to address is the move to research Prof John Raven FRS, FRSE, CBiol, FRSB, FMBA Prof Jane Lewis FMBA FHEA FSB the most of having got their attention! increasingly being required to publish in Open Prof Stuart Rogers CSci FIMarEST Mem.MBA Honorary Treasurer: Mr Bob Mills FCIM

4 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 5 “The independent voice Professional development and training events for Marine Scientists Membership around the world”

2 1 3 4

1 & 2. The Young Marine Biologist Summit brought 50 young people to meet early-career and seasoned marine biologists to gain career advice and key skills of networking and giving presentations (with additional funding from Plymouth University and Plymouth Sound Diving). 3. We’ve partnered with the National Marine Aquarium to offer membership as part of their Ocean Squad Teen Club. 4. We’ve been promoting marine science at events such as Sea the Difference, CrabWatch, Bioblitz, The Ocean Literacy Workshop in Germany, Falmouth Marine Industry Day, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) events. >1500 6 37 Members Continents Countries Association Highlights

5 6 7 8 5. In supporting professional development we’ve awarded 16 bursaries to help students attend courses and conferences around the world. Pictured Heather Baxter who attended the European Symposium. 6. We’ve partnered with the Field Studies Council to run Marine Science Camps around the UK. Association Highlights

HoHonorarynorary Fellow, FellowHon.FMBA InsStudent�tu�onal 7. An annual student campaign in September was again successful and we hope many will progress through th FeHon.FMBAllow, FMBA AsYoungsociate Marine Female the categories of membership as they complete their studies 8. The 14 MBA Postgraduate Conference al Other Students provided the opportunity for our postgraduates to experience conference organisation and networking. Institutional Biologist >20,000 Maleal YoFellow,ung Marine FMBA Biologist, YMB ProProfessionalfessional, Mem.MB A Social Media nisclos Undisclosed Associate Mem.MBA followers Other

Fellows of the Marine Biological Association

Admitted in 2017: Prof Siew-Moi Phang, Dr Michael White 10 11 12 Dr D Agnew, Dr B Amos, Dr J Ashworth, Prof C Brownlee, Prof A Edwards, Prof M Elliott, Dr Z V Finkel, 9 Prof C Frid, Dr P Gilliland, Prof S Hawkins, Prof A Hetherington, Prof P Holland, Prof J Humphreys, Prof D Laffoley, Prof P Leonard, Prof J Lewis, Dr B MacKenzie, Dr D Ogden, Prof N Owens, Prof D Paterson, Prof 9. We ran a series of Blue Planet II screenings with guest expert speakers. 10. Our unique location N Polunin, Prof P Rainbow, Prof J Raven, Prof A Smith, Prof M Whitaker, Prof R Williams and Prof W Wilson. was great for hosting a BBQ to watch the National Fireworks competition. 11. With discounts available for members we ran a number of training courses including Scientific Illustration, ID, Introduction to , Plankton ID, Species ID and Whale and Dolphin Biology. 12. Our members Interested in becoming a member? See back cover contribute to marine policy which we can feed directly into parliament. Pictured: MP Sheryll Murray with Matt Frost and David Sims.

6 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 7 Society reach

In addition to collaborating with local and national organisations, the MBA also works extensively with partners in Europe and elsewhere. Examples of international collaboration include:

From funding for marine Since inception in 1995 the The MBA is a work package The goal of the EMBRC-ERIC research to marine MBA has been involved with leader for the European Marine project ASSEMBLE Plus project is conservation zone designation the European Network of Biological Research Infrastructure to stimulate European excellence - the MBA regularly speaks out Marine Research Institutes and Cluster (EMBRC) BioBank (EBB), in fundamental and applied Policy on relevant issues Stations (MARS) and the World which will ultimately facilitate research in marine biology and Association of Marine Stations sustainable access to Atlantic ecology, thereby improving our (WAMS). marine biodiversity, its associated knowledge and technology base The heart of the MBA is in its membership. As We continue to engage with policy through chairing MARS provides a forum for data, and extractable products for for the blue economy, policy and well as voting on key decisions ranging from national (e.g. Marine Impacts the directors of marine stations local and international academia education purposes. Board of Trustees’ appointments to signing Partnership) and international (e.g. European Network and institutes to come together and industry users. The MBA participates in five off accounts, members provide the expertise of Marine Research Institutes and Stations, MARS) and discuss issues relevant As a work package leader, we are Joint Research Activities, as well Association Highlights and insight required to speak out on marine committees. This experience is then used for training to the whole community in a working with experts and the UK as Networking Activities, aimed biological and environmental issues. This is marine biologists interested in working in this area collaborative and neutral manner. Department for Business, Energy at strengthening the culture of why it is vital we maintain a healthy active (through lectures on the MBA/Plymouth University In 2017 Dr Matt Frost accepted and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to cooperation within and beyond the membership (increasing to >1600 members at MRes Course and through intern opportunities). the invitation to take on the develop and apply best practice consortium partners, providing a time of writing). In September we supported the 52nd European presidency of this body. guidelines throughout the EBB benchmark for refined practices of We engage with policy from national Marine Biology Symposium held in Piran, Slovenia. A major focus will be on collections to ensure compliance service provision, disseminating to international committees We delivered a talk on policy engagement, provided developing the international with regulatory framework that interoperable protocols, engaging From funding for marine research to marine bursaries and presented prizes for the best student element of MARS in connection sets the rules on access and with novel user communities, conservation zone designation - we regularly speak posters. with IOC-UNESCO to further benefit sharing (ABS). The MBA and sharing insights into suitable out on relevant issues.

Association Highlights develop WAMS; a global culture collection will provide a business strategies. network uniting the existing test case for European Culture Our partnership in ASSEMBLE The outputs of this conference have since been marine stations, and their Registration, increasing its profile Plus will ultimately increase the widely shared (in articles in the Society of Biology regional networks, and creating and attractiveness to users. number of users of the MBA and Magazine, Research Fortnight as well as media opportunities for expanded will further develop business and online outlets). collaborations all over the world. strategy perspectives aimed at Whether you are a local or an international member, Brexit was a hot topic whilst we were in long-term sustainability. it will not have escaped your attention that in 2017 Parliament as part of the Royal Society Pairing the focus of much of the scientific community, Scheme. Being at the heart of Westminster whilst indeed much of the rest of Britain, was Brexit. important debates are held on and other In October, the MBA and the British Ecological subjects was fascinating. Further opportunities Society (BES) brought together a wide range for engagement were identified such as via of representatives from science, industry and subsequent invitation to the All Party Parliamentary policy in London for a conference on “The Marine Group (APPG) meeting ahead of the release of the Environment after Brexit: the future for science Fisheries White Paper. and policy”.

Want to be involved or contribute to MBA policy work? Want us to respond to consultations? Contact Dr Matt Frost [email protected].

8 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 9 Education The Annual Phycological Field courses for Liverpool and Hosting and training young Society Seaweed Identification Essex Universities. researchers from Florida in on- and Training Workshop. and near-shore surveying. Our education and training programme aims to engage people with the marine world. You can find us delivering and hosting training, staging public engagement events and providing marine

life resources from local beaches to international conferences. Association Highlights

In 2017/18 our activities included: (With additional funding received from: Heritage Lottery We engaged with local MP’s to The National Marine Biological Non-native species identification Fund, Plymouth University, Defra, Plymouth City Council, North Yard Community Trust, NERC Engaging Environments, transfer our knowledge of the Library delivered numerous workshop (for staff of Natural BBBSRC, EMBO, Physiological Society, Company of Biologists, and the European Commission H2020 programme.) marine environment. comprehensive tours and events. England). Association Highlights

Our annual ‘Marine Biologist Life on the Yealm; a 9-month British Science Week which The 34th Cell Physiology Collaborations with the Field Five Bioblitz events (species for a Day’ event attracted >200 project to bring the community involved a number of interactive workshop. Studies Council to run a series of recording over 24 hours) delivered participants. closer to their local wildlife. workshops and activities. Marine Science camps. across the UK and in Rome.

Introductory courses including ‘Year in Placement’ for five ‘Citizen Science’ projects such World Ocean Day appreciation We authored a chapter detailing We created ‘Our Commonwealth Scientific Illustration, Plankton university students and a week- as CrabWatch, Capturing Our and awareness event. our expertise on the role of Oceans’ information pack for ID, Crab ID, Seaweed ID and long work experience for six 14- Coast, The Shore Thing and citizen scientists. teachers to download. Rocky Shore Survey. 18 year olds. Sealife Survey.

10 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 11 A Sea Change for Europe In 2017 visitor

The EU funded Sea Change project co-ordinated regarding the ocean and its resources. numbers by the MBA, entered its final year, aiming to secure The project worked with 17 partners across increased 55% its legacy in changing Europe’s relationship with the Europe, and delivered outputs in education, citizen (39% students) sea. The project championed the concept of Ocean engagement and marine policy. Literacy providing routes and materials for citizens to become aware and make responsible decisions

A review of Ocean Literacy Interviews conducted with policy Sea Change Social Innovation, in European Governance: actors in 5 countries provided Sea Change International The European Marine Science Participation and Process (SIPPs) findings and recommendations insights into their awareness of Advisory Group (IAG) Educators Association (EMSEA) Toolkits for Education, Citizen marine concerns Engagement and Governance members from 9 countries 1 framework to monitor and track EMSEA the progress of SIPP actions 12 4conferences National Marine EMSEA became a legal Enduring Transatlantic networks entity in 2016 to enable established through the AORA the association to 3 published Whitaker Ocean Literacy working groups obtain funding to further Ongoing collaborative Message in a Bottle: Institute Policy Briefs College of Co-Exploration Sea Change develop OL in Europe World Oceans Day organised by represented at over (UK & USA) online seminars activities to amplify events and Over 300 registered Overall rating key messages around activities from behavioural change 200 Factsheets on human health and the ocean participating with key messages for Continued Promotion of organisations; policy actors 29 Sea Change work through 50 countries ResponSEAble Crab Watch; MBA Roadmap for effective (Citizen science science-society-policy 10,000+ initiative and app) interface in the field of people across Spain ocean governance were involved Records added 90% to database Buddy Campaign: 383 would use the A review of the ways of Biological Library campaign about Top performing page on seminar information achieving Societal Change beach safety. the Sea Change website stakeholders were involved in and resources in their Key principles for influencing 80 the governance classroom or work society and bringing about consultation behavioural change Sea Change website, workshops Sea Change methodologies and branding and social media and interviews resources freely available for other The National Marine Biological This year we have taken over We initiated and led a six months partners from 9 Ocean Literacy actors to use 513,049 people countries + Networks 100,000 reached on Facebook 17 with Europe-wide website the systematic recording of staff project on the development of a since 2016 and Global reach Networks Library (NMBL) is one of the page (WON, ECSITE, views grew from 873 4 EMB, EUROGEO, organisations Established priority IOC-UNESCO) /institutes to largest marine reference publications, archiving freely MBA Intellectual Property strategy. +2,200 areas for action to Facebook advance ocean The creation of 8 followers +2,450 governance 1,534 European barrier twitter followers maps that illustrate libraries in the world, holding accessible copies were possible Amongst many other aspects, the impediments to teaching teenagers New ibook about the ocean C Association Highlights age ollabo 450,000+ thousands of scientific journal into Open Access. This benefits this lay the foundations for 35,697 Eng rat reached by social al 3 Goal e media campaign 2,634 Views across 14 o 4 G views press releases E titles and books, historical worldwide readers by increasing streamlining permission requests Massive Open Online te n o G s Course (MOOC) ‘from o u ABC to ABSeas: Ocean m 2 a r Public Awareness Campaign Literacy for all l l e literature, expedition reports, the unpaywalled accessibility of for library, archive, and other MBA Training Sea Change ’ ro a 5 ‘Our Ocean Our Health’ project members on P o Infographics: Social Innovation and G CoderDojo – Make a small Environmental Behaviour 450 change for Sea Enrolments learning through 130,000+ and a herbarium. MBA published output. resources in the future. to empower them as gaming Change, marine ‘Sea Change’ agents overall video views plastics, 500 years 80% of ocean change Check it out at plymsea.ac.uk happiness rating

C The Ocean Edge Directory r First database of its kind G r e e in Europe SEA o a w 1 a An average of Identification l l o t of barriers and a solutions to 6 e p CHANGE o 8,892 teaching teenagers 6 press release G 360 about the Ocean OUR OCEAN | OUR HEALTH Winning projects/ m views

games shared page visits per month

E online on Scratch 248 participants

657 barrier statements 189 Developed Blue Organisations Schools modules listed in the for EU school Directory curricula Posters and Factsheets – Our Ocean, Our Health factsheets, Ocean Literacy

Association Highlights posters & factsheets,

8 9 A book from the special collection A volunteer re-stocking the Beach Rangers in need of repair work second-hand bookshop

Each summer Beach Rangers inform We are protecting the historic The library’s volunteers programme To enrich the library experience local people of the MBA’s presence and heritage assets of the MBA: is thriving: volunteers have given of our users far and wide, a new and purpose through school project funding was secured to vital support to the NMBL team website was launched last October assemblies and free, family-friendly survey the conservation needs of for example providing hands- offering a vibrant overview of events on Plymouth’s shores. the NMBL’s Special Collection. on support to our second hand services and facilities. We are Shore events promote the The survey was conducted by bookshop which – thanks to hoping to develop this over the sustainable use of blue spaces Monika Stokowiec, Conservator generous book donations from coming years in cooperation with to local communities, and guest of Books and Archival Materials, members – has already yielded our membership colleagues, to scientists introduce various aspects who will continue to train us with additional funds. Thank include more services for remote of MBA research to new audiences. and work alongside library you to our eight regular volunteers library users. To this end, additional volunteers equipping them with (Sandra Robinson, Kathy Clare, project proposals to catalogue and Beach Rangers events are run the skills to confidently carry out Bernie Clare, Sophie Holden, Luca professionally store MBA images in partnership with Plymouth City basic stabilising activities and Wright, Dale Kingston, Jim Nott and and data have also been submitted. Council’s Active Neighbourhoods repairs. Additional work will be Linda Mavin) for all their work and project, The Zone Youth Enquiry Barbara Bültmann and Emily Miles supplemented by our Adopt-a- congratulations to those two who Service, EarthJump and the National Book campaign. now have paid roles at the MBA! Marine Aquarium.

12 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 13 The aim of the programme is to understand the complex processes underpinning the structure and function of marine ecosystems

Research Algal Cell Biology need to calcify £3.5M new >65 research 11 PhD students research grants articles published recruited Coccolithophores are calcifying that process in some species, which play an important role in global carbon cycling. To may influence the response of these phytoplankton Laboratory Highlights help understand how and why these algae produce to future changes in ocean carbonate chemistry. The MBA Research Programme centres on Publishing discoveries in the top science journals is their intricate calcium carbonate coccoliths, we have Image above. Disruption of by the work of its Research Fellows, their teams, a hallmark of the programme, and this year was no been examining the effects of inhibiting calcification germanium causes cell cycle arrest in Coccolithus and our Associate, Visiting and Lankester exception with over 65 research articles published, on coccolithophore physiology. Whilst the abundant braarudii (honorary) Research Fellows. The aim of the including several in Science and Proceedings of the bloom-forming species can grow programme is to understand the complex National Academy of Sciences of the United States normally without coccoliths, growth of the larger Additional funding sources: NERC processes underpinning the structure and of America (PNAS). Fellows were also very active heavily calcified Coccolithus braarudii is severely function of marine ecosystems, with the purpose in international meetings, as both organisers and inhibited when coccolith production is disrupted. Charlotte Walker, Sarah Heath, Gerald Langer, of comprehending ocean biodiversity and better invited speakers. This indicates that calcification is an essential Glen Wheeler and Colin Brownlee

predict responses of organisms and ecosystems Laboratory Highlights The key to the success of our research are the to future environmental change. A key outcome contributions made by its doctoral research students. Examining the formation and organisation of coccoliths of the programme is excellent science with The MBA is a host partner in two NERC Doctoral societal relevance and impact, which is Training Programmes (DTP) with the University of Coccolithophores produce their coccoliths inside Using high resolution microscopy techniques, we summarised in the following Fellows’ highlights. Southampton (SPITFIRE) and University of East the cell and then secrete them outside, where they have identified a layer of polysaccharide that resides The past year has provided important high points in Anglia (EnvEast). The DTPs have been highly are arranged in an overlapping manner to form a beneath the coccoliths. The polysaccharide layer acts the progress of the MBA’s curiosity driven research. successful, enabling 11 students to be recruited protective extracellular layer, the coccosphere. to tether the coccoliths to the cell surface but also provides sufficient flexibility to allow coccolithophores There have been substantial new research grant since 2014. In addition to publishing excellent The coccosphere needs to be flexible to allow the to maintain an entire covering of coccoliths during awards to Fellows and Associate Fellows amounting research papers (e.g. in Nature Communications) cell to grow and divide, but also sufficiently rigid to the processes of growth and cell division. to approximately £3.5M, including awards from the and winning prizes along the way (e.g. the Irene form an effective protective covering. European Research Council (ERC) and the Natural Manton Prize from the British Phycological Society), We have examined how the coccoliths are arranged Additional funding sources: NERC Environment Research Council (NERC). the first cohort of three SPITFIRE students were in order to better understand the formation and Charlotte Walker, Sarah Heath, Gerald Langer, awarded their PhDs this year. function of the coccosphere. Glen Wheeler and Colin Brownlee Figure 1. Scanning electron Figure 2. Confocal microscopy April saw the retirement from the MBA Council of our Oxford University Governor, microscopy image of a image of a decalcified Professor Peter Holland FRS. Peter has contributed to the success of the MBA Coccolithus braarudii cell Coccolithus braarudii cell for over 20 years, particularly in research. The current strength and depth of the showing the arrangement of showing a patterned layer of Research Programme is due in no small part to his skilful leadership and sound the extracellular coccoliths extracellular polysaccharide advice as Chair of the Research Committee and Science Advisory Board. stained with a fluorescent The MBA thanks Peter for his exceptional service. lectin (FITC-ConA)

14 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 15 The Mesolens allows low Imaging photosynthetic activity in single cells magnification, wide field images to be obtained with exceptionally high resolution

Figure 4. Images of cholorphyll fluorescence parameters (Fo and Fm) of the green macroalga Ulva (top) and individual cells of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi (bottom). Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters are being used to obtain information on species-specific photosynthetic efficiency in phytoplankton populations

Photosynthesis by phytoplankton accounts for This will be employed in forthcoming research around half of global and it is therefore cruises, studying natural and coccolithophore critical to understand the limitations of this process populations. Innovations in microscopy to unlock the secrets of phytoplankton and the contributions of different phytoplankton cell Additional funding sources: ERC SeaCells, NERC, types to photosynthesis in mixed populations. Most studies of single cells are carried out with high resolution. We recently established the first BBSRC and EU Horizon 2020 Well-established methods, based on the high magnification microscopes that allow detailed Mesolens facility in a biology laboratory, primarily fluorescence properties of chlorophyll are used Colin Brownlee, Katherine Helliwell, Abdul

imaging of one, or a few cells. Until recently, to study the physiological variability between cells Laboratory Highlights in many applications to measure photosynthetic Charachri, Glen Wheeler, Jack Dickenson, simultaneous imaging of large numbers of cells in a in phytoplankton populations but also presenting efficiency. We have adapted a fluorescence- Friedrich Kleiner, Susan Wharam, Serena Flori, population or a multicellular organism has required many further opportunities and applications of the based imaging approach to monitor photosynthetic Dorothee Kottmeier and Prof Alison Taylor (UNCW, a trade-off between wide field of view, obtained technology. efficiency in single cells in cultures and mixed USA) with a low-power microscope objective and optical Additional funding sources: ERC SeaCells, NERC, populations. resolution, or the ability to see fine detail, in the BBSRC and EU Horizon 2020 image. This major limitation has recently been Colin Brownlee, Katherine Helliwell, Abdul Charachri, overcome through the development of the Mesolens Cell and Molecular Laboratory Our world-class Microscopy Suite is generously Glen Wheeler, Jack Dickenson, Friedrich Kleiner, (www.strathclydemesolab.com), a novel concept equipped for live cell imaging, with the following Susan Wharam, Serena Flori, Dorothee Kottmeier As an internationally renowned centre for cell and in optical imaging that allows low magnification, microscopy facilities: molecular biology, the MBA laboratories are a Laboratory Highlights wide field images to be obtained with exceptionally and Prof Alison Taylor (UNCW, USA) lively hub of cutting edge science and research. • A Zeiss confocal/2-photon microscope Figure 3. Sequential blow-up of a single Mesolens image of chlorophyll fluorescence in a population of cells • A Nikon total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Our ever-expanding department attracts top-class of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, illustrating the ability to obtain sub-cellular resolution of every cell (TIRF) microscope scientists from around the world to work with our in a population of approximately 10,000 cells. • Leica live cell fluorescence imaging microscope dedicated team of Research Fellows. • A FluorCam imaging PAM fluorimeter Our multi-disciplinary research projects are • Various brightfield and fluorescence microscopes working on a wide variety of different organisms. • The world’s first Mesolens facility in a biological Our Laboratories are exceptionally well equipped laboratory. with facilities for all types of cell culturing, a • An extensive electrophysiology capability to world-class microscopy suite and all aspects of complement our microscopy facility. molecular biology from PCR and electrophoresis to gene transformation and biolistics.

16 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 17 Microbial Biology and Ecology Fungi ahoy! Major new research project to explore the biology Warming and freshening at the ocean’s surface caused by and ecology of marine fungi blooming

Marine planktonic fungi () have been diversity and abundance across a range of The sea surface microlayer (SML) is the physical the SML in the Pacific Ocean. Combined with high- Laboratory Highlights largely ignored compared to other plankton groups, ecosystems. Innovative approaches, including interface between the ocean and the atmosphere. resolution in-situ observations, we showed that the such as phytoplankton, especially the roles that molecular ecology tools and ecosystem modelling, Less than 1mm thick, the SML is a unique habitat SML enriched bloom coincided with surface warming they fulfil in marine ecosystems. The absence of will establish the impact of fungi on marine for microorganisms, many of which impact air-sea and freshening (i.e. less salty). fungi within a general view of the structure and biogeochemical cycles. Through the MYCO-CARB interaction processes. Working with colleagues from This study identifies a new phenomenon to force function of the marine environment, including a lack project, we will open the marine fungal ‘black box’, the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, “apparent” freshening of the sea surface, a process of mechanistic understanding of their functional revealing marine mycoplankton functional biology Florida State University and Lamont-Doherty Earth previously assumed to occur only by rainfall. biology and ecology, represent major knowledge and ecology, and establish their roles in marine Observatory, Columbia University, during the Air-Sea gaps in our understanding of marine ecosystems ecosystems. Cruise on board the RV Falkor, we characterised Michael Cunliffe and Kimberly Bird that urgently must be addressed. We will address Trichodesmium (Cyanobacteria) blooms enriched in Additional funding sources: European Research

Laboratory Highlights these knowledge gaps through an innovative Council (ERC) Images. Top left: An oceanic Cyanbacteria bloom programme of research. Research cruises will make on the sea surface. an unprecedented assessment of mycoplankton Michael Cunliffe Top right: Sampling the sea surface microlayer in Identifying bacteria that utilise dissolved ‘free’ DNA in seawater the South Pacific Ocean during the Air-Sea Cruise on board the RV Falkor. The chemistry of seawater is complex, containing RNA SIP identified two Rhodobacterales populations Left. Trichodesmium (Cyanobacteria) blooms 13 a diverse range of dissolved organic compounds, that assimilated the C-labelled dDNA. This study enriched in the SML had a major impact on the many of which are potential bacterial growth sub- improves our understanding of roles of specific bac- physical properties of the air-sea interface. strates. Seawater contains dissolved ‘free’ DNA terioplankton in carbon cycling in coastal waters and (dDNA) and we have assessed the impact of dDNA identifies new ecological links between important on active at phytoplankton, such as , Station L4 in the Western Eng- and bacterioplankton. Why study microbial life? lish Channel using 16S rRNA Microorganisms are the most abundant a comprehensive understanding of marine high-throughput sequencing Michael Cunliffe, Kimberley Bird components of marine ecosystems, and have ecosystem structure and functioning. and RNA Stable Isotope Prob- and Joe Taylor a diverse array of metabolic functions that 13 Microbial life defines most of the biogeochemical ing (RNA SIP) with C-labelled control biogeochemical cycles and maintain Figure 5. Linking structure with properties of our oceans. The interactions that take diatom dDNA. The bacterial the earth system. Connecting microbial function: stable isotope probing place between marine biogeochemical cycles and order Rhodobacterales actively phylogenetic diversity and metabolic capability used to track diatom-derived are profound. responded to dDNA additions with biogeochemical processes is vital to achieve in amended microcosms and DNA into marine bacterioplankton

18 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 19 Pollutants Image © Stefan Flickr Toxins Image © Tony Netone Metal pollution in sediments and blood cockles The EU project EMERTOX (Emergent Toxic Algae) A travel/work grant from the EU project European is a Marie Curie RISE (Research and Innovation Marine Biological Research Infrastructure Cluster Estuarine and coastal sediments are important Initial studies focused on two sites in the Chao Staff Exchange) project which started in March 2018. (EMBRIC) was awarded to visit two partner institutes habitats supporting diverse, dense assemblages of Phraya: the largest freshwater input to the Gulf The initial meeting was held at the University of in Italy to help develop, test and validate probes for

marine where organisms can acquire of Thailand and a major source of industrial and Laboratory Highlights Cape Verde and, during the week of sampling which toxic Pseudo-nitzschia spp, using a new reverse dissolved and particulate metals. It is important to domestic wastes from Bangkok. Both sites showed followed, Ostreopsis was discovered for the first transcriptase method directly in an electrochemical understand the responses of marine organisms to high concentrations of cadium and zinc in sediments, time in the Cape Verde; its toxic potential is to be microtiter plate to convert a barcode for the toxic the threats posed by contaminants. which significantly correlated with cadium and zinc determined. algae into a fluorescent product for detection and It is important to understand the concentrations in the gills and the digestive glands. quantification of the toxic diatoms. responses of marine organisms to This confirms that this extract is a suitable surrogate Ostreopsis was discovered for the the threats posed by contaminants of bioavailable metals in sediment, and that the Chao first time in the Cape Verde; its toxic A more cost effective monitoring Phraya is the dominant source. potential is to be determined system for identifying the toxic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia spp is being In collaboration with colleagues from Despite elevated levels the Plymouth University and Walailak Linda Medlin will be seconded, for 11 months, developed using a new method.

concentrations are not considered to Laboratory Highlights over the four year project to develop early warning University, Thailand, we studied metal represent an acute threat of toxicity contamination in Anadara granosa, a systems for toxic algae, concentrating on those The first visit to the Italian National Research Council bivalve blood cockle (right). This occurs abundantly Despite elevated levels of Cadium and Zinc in the microalagae moving into European waters with (CNR) will be used to design probes/barcodes in tropical estuarine sediments where it is harvested sediments the concentrations are not considered to climate change using electrochemical microtiter from their extensive internal transcribed spacer and farmed for human consumption. represent an acute threat of toxicity, though sub- plates and electrochemical microarrays in a (ITS) alignment. The barcode is immobilised on the Although it is an important resource, little is known lethal chronic effects are possible and will be the laboratory on a chip format (LOC). bottom of a microtiter plate or on a glass slide and of its metal handling capacity and metal exposure. subject of the the next phase of the work. hybridised to ITS regions amplified from various To address this, A. granosa was sampled from Pseudo-nitzschia spp., whose DN is supplied by Additional funding sources: Royal Thai Government seven contrasting in the Gulf of Thailand Stazione Zoologica Napoli (SZN), the host laboratory to assess metal profiles in sediments with a view to Bill Langston and Nick Pope for the second visit in this grant award. Using characterise metal bioaccumulation. the enzyme reverse transcriptase, fluorescently labelled oligonucleotides will be incorporated into Endocrine Disruption the extended barcodes to provide a sensitive signal to be detected by a microtiter plate reader or by a The causes of Endocrine Disruption (ED) in advantageous to combine the physico-chemical and microarray reader. Adaptation of this method for a molluscs are still poorly understood. However we biological data sets to investigate potential linkages microtiter plate reader will make a more cost effective have established from work on clams that intersex and causes of ED. As a step in this direction, we are montioring system than a microarray or qPCR is widespread in UK estuaries and in places currently aligning the most relevant parameters in Additional funding sources: EMERTOX and EMBRIC severe. The Environment Agency (EA) holds major collaboration with EA staff. Particpants of the initial meeting of the EU project environmental data sets for the majority of estuarine Linda Medlin Bill Langston and Nick Pope EMERTOX (Emergent Toxic Algae) sites where we have studied intersex and it seems

20 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 21 New version of ‘Early Stages’ fouling guide

An enlarged second edition conventional identification books. of the ‘Guide to early post- The guide is intended to assist settlement stages of fouling the study of the development and in Britain’ prevention of biofouling of solid was completed and made structures and the early detection available for download as of colonisation by non-native Occasional Publication No. species. 29 of the Marine Biological Additional funding sources: Association. The guide Porcupine Marine Natural History focuses on the early days Society and Welsh Resilient of development following Ecosystems Fund (for first settlement, when sessile species version) often differ markedly from the Invasives later adult stages depicted in John Bishop and Christine Wood

Distribution of marine non-native species in estuaries 1 2 3 4

Estuaries are potential entry Clear differences in distribution Image top: The anemone Diadumene points for marine non-native between species were lineata (mostly individuals of a red-

species (NNS), but there is apparent, with the number of Laboratory Highlights

tentacled form), growing abundantly little systematic information NNS recorded in the Itchen, on a reef-like build-up of chalky tubes Figure 7. Second edition of the ‘Guide to early post-settlement stages of fouling marine invertebrates in on the relative tolerance of for instance, decreasing from of the polychaete worm Ficopomatus Britain’. Right: Distinctive very early post-settlement stages of two styelid ascidians: 1 & 2 Dendrodoa different NNS to estuarine 17 in the mouth to just four in enigmaticus in the Itchen. Both species grossularia (Baked Bean Sea Squirt), a native species, and 3 & 4 Asterocarpa humilis (Compass Sea conditions and thus their the zone immediately below are non-native and favour sites with Squirt), a recent addition to the British fauna from the Southern Hemisphere penetration landwards along the tidal limit. fluctuating salinity. estuarine gradients. Surveys of A biosecurity plan for the Tamar Estuaries complex This information Clear differences additional would allow in the non-native estuaries, this The GB Invasive Non-native Two such plans in the species were Species Strategy emphasises South West were amongst

improved time in the South Laboratory Highlights assessment of apparent along West and funded the prevention of new arrivals the first to be developed, one the risk posed the length of the by the Bromley of non-native species (NNS) of which was for the Tamar by individual estuary Trust, are now or, failing that, rapid response Estuaries complex, with the NNS at specific underway to eradicate or control fresh Tamar Estuaries Consultative points within an estuary, for to enable generalisations incursions. These aims Forum (TECF) acting as the lead instance in particular Marine across a range of localities necessitate identification and stakeholder. The MBA, Plymouth Protected Areas (MPAs), or concerning the seaward and management of the actual Marine Laboratory Applications at sites proposed for new landward extent of particular pathways of introduction, Ltd and the Cradle to Wave infrastructure developments. NNS. coupled with appropriate consultancy were jointly involved monitoring and surveillance. in developing the draft plan and Accordingly, the Itchen John Bishop and Christine delivering a stakeholder workshop and Hamble estuaries in Wood Accordingly, Natural England in spring 2017, which attracted a Southampton were surveyed Southampton instigated a project to wide range of participants. in summer 2017, with provide training in biosecurity emphasis on sessile fouling planning and assistance for After a period of further input from species on artificial structures key stakeholders nationwide, local stakeholders, the Tamar such as pontoons, augmented and to pilot the development Estuaries Marine Biosecurity by visits to shores at low . of overarching estuary- Plan, lead-authored by the MBA, Figure 8. Cover of the Guide to wide biosecurity plans in was finalised in spring 2018. Figure 6. Map of the survey sites of the Early Post-settlement Stages collaboration with local Itchen estuary close to Southampton Christine Wood stakeholders.

22 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 23 Marine Biodiversity Citizen Science: Capturing Our Coast The MBA is 1 19,811 A community of of 7 nationwide 2,834 volunteers quadrat surveys and Climate training hubs completed Capturing Our Coast (CoCoast) is a UK wide that will benefit the marine environment. Nationally, project investigating the species that live in our 2,834 people have been trained in CoCoast survey seas and how we can protect them. The project methods, with 2,441 transects and 19,811 quadrat Change involves ‘Citizen Science’, where members of surveys completed, of which the MBA citizen the public contribute to scientific knowledge and scientists have contributed data on 514 transects discovery by collecting data, or by analysing and and 2,836 quadrats. interpreting findings. At CoCoast we believe that The MBA hub also has extensive volunteer members of the public should be empowered to engagement with sample analysis, with a team of contribute in meaningful ways, sharing their skills students from the University of Plymouth regularly ® The MarClim project and enthusiasm. The responsibility for protecting our assisting at the MBA Laboratory. seas and wonderful marine biodiversity belongs to The MarClim® project is the most spatio-temporally The extensive time-series also demonstrates that “The responsibility for protecting

all of us. Laboratory Highlights extensive time-series for rocky intertidal systems in some species are not undergoing biogeographic our seas and wonderful marine the world. Survey data extends back to the 1950s, shifts. Population demographics of many brown “At ‘CoCoast’ we believe that biodiversity belongs to all of us” with the abundance and distribution of macro-algae undergo inter-annual fluctuations, members of the public should and macroalgal species around the coastline of the however, no changes in the range limits have been be empowered to contribute in Scientific aims of Capturing Our Coast include UK. Today, 100 sites are surveyed annually, with recorded. meaningful ways” providing detailed distribution maps of marine data collected for 87 species of boreal, lusitanian The dataset demonstrates the species-specific species, exploring how climate change and other and invasive origins. nature of the effects of global climate change. We have seven Regional Hubs around the UK human impacts are affecting our seas, studying how including the MBA in Plymouth, the universities of species interact, tracking marine , ® MarClim has shown some of the fastest changes Additional funding sources: Natural Resources Newcastle, Hull, Portsmouth and Bangor, investigating if conservation policies are effective, in leading and trailing range edges of any species in Wales and Natural England The Scottish Association for Marine Science and and exploring local issues on the coastlines of the

Laboratory Highlights any natural system, with the most northern limit of Nova Mieszkowska, Leoni Adams, Steve Hawkins, the Society. At these hubs you UK. the topshell Phorcus lineatus continuing to extend can find out more about this project and take part in and Dr Heather Sugden (University of Newcastle) Additional funding sources: Heritage Lottery Fund along the coastline of north Wales in 2018. training led by marine biologists. We aim to share best practice and work with other Nova Mieszkowska, Hannah Wilson and organisations leading related marine projects, Leoni Adams achieving a co-ordinated marine survey effort

Figure 9. Percentage of habitat forming species at CoCoast survey sites in the South West. Opposite top left. Citizen scientists surveying the rocky intertidal at Mountbatten.

Images. Left. MarClim® time-series site at Little Orme, North Wales. Right. The topshell Phorcus lineatus www.capturingourcoast.co.uk

24 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 25 Benthic Ecosystems and Environmental Change The influence of rapid environmental change on forest Global trends and impacts of marine heatwaves

ecosystems Marine heatwaves are discrete periods of Given that marine heat waves are likely to continue anomalously high sea temperatures. Such extreme to intensify with ongoing anthropogenic climate Kelp forests are globally provision have been

Kelp forests are globally important Laboratory Highlights

climatic events are gaining recognition as important change, examining how extreme sea temperatures important . collected over multiple marine habitats, susceptible to drivers of ecosystem change. We are leading an influence biological systems is important and Akin to coral reefs and years. anthropogenic pressures international working group to examine trends in will underpin deeper understanding and better meadows, they The research has demonstrated that the frequency, magnitude predictions of climate- support high levels of primary productivity, magnify structure changes along large-scale gradient in and duration of marine heat Research has shown that marine driven changes into the secondary productivity, and provide habitat for a high temperature and latitude, and that kelp forests store waves at the global scale heatwaves can drive major shifts in future. diversity of associated flora and fauna. and transfer more organic matter in cooler regions. and to synthesise existing the structure of entire ecosystems, In recent decades, however, the structure, alter biogeochemical processes and It is likely that with continued ocean warming these knowledge on how extreme functioning and biodiversity of kelp forests have have socioeconomic consequences habitats will undergo structural changes, and will warming events impact been impacted by anthropogenic pressures (e.g. marine ecosystems.

capture and transfer less carbon. Additional funding sources: NERC Laboratory Highlights , climate change, spread of non-native A greater understanding of the structure and Research arising from the working group has shown species, coastal land use) in many regions. Dan Smale, Dr Pippa Moore (Aberystwyth functioning of kelp forests will support better that marine heatwaves can drive major shifts in the University), Prof Mike Burrows (SAMS), Dr Thomas A major objective of our It is likely that with continued ocean management and more structure of entire ecosystems, alter biogeochemical Wernberg (University of Western Australia), Dr Eric research is to better warming these forests will undergo reliable predictions of the processes and have socioeconomic consequences. Oliver (University of Tasmania), Dr Alistair Hobday understand how changes structural changes and that they will impacts of environmental Innovative analysis of long-term time series on sea (CSIRO Australia) and Dr Mads Thomsen (University in kelp forest structure capture and transfer less carbon change in coming temperatures has shown that both marine heatwave of Canterbury) influence key ecological decades. duration and frequency have increased over the past processes. Additional funding sources: British Ecological 50 years. Over the last four years, multiple study sites have Society, NERC been maintained along >1000 km of coastline Why study kelp? Dan Smale, Harry Teagle, Graham Epstein, Helen spanning northern Scotland to southwest England, Jenkins, Albert Pessarrodona, Cat Wilding, Dr Pippa to capture a gradient of 9° of latitude and ~3°C Kelp forests dominate shallow rocky habitats across much of the world’s temperate coastline. Moore (Aberystwyth University) and Prof Mike in average sea temperature. At each site, As foundation species, support high levels of primary productivity, magnified secondary Burrows (SAMS) measurements of kelp forest biodiversity, primary productivity, and provide habitat for highly diverse associated assemblages. productivity, resilience to disturbance, and habitat Kelp forests also serve as habitat and nursery grounds for socio-economically important Images show MBA researchers maintaining experiments and conducting surveys in kelp forests around the species of , crustaceans and molluscs. However, the structure and extent of kelp forests is UK. affected by environmental change factors, including ocean warming, extreme climatic events and the spread on non-native species.

26 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 27 Oceanic whitetip sharks are being The MBA has maintained a long- satellite tracked as part of the term science programme for Global Shark Movement Project over a century - not replicated nationally or internationally Long-term

Global Ecology Image © J. Stafford-Deitsch Science Global spatial tracking of pelagic sharks and fisheries The MBA has maintained a long-term science Continued sampling is proceeding with contribution programme for over a century, sampling from NERC National Capability funding as part of Sharks are particularly To understand where global leading the Global Shark phytoplankton, and adult and larval fish the Western Channel Observatory. Over the past susceptible to the Movement Project (GSMP), on a weekly to monthly basis, alongside physical year there have been 72 surveys carried out on the

conservation efforts need to be Laboratory Highlights effects of human focused we are looking at pelagic a collaboration of 38 measurements at the Plymouth Stations L4, L5 and Research Vessel MBA Sepia. Long-term datasets exploitation due to slow shark hotspots, fishing areas and research groups across 25 E1. These biological time-series are necessary to have also been prepared in order to be made freely growth rates, late age marine protected areas countries, to locate hotspots understand how an ecosystem is structured and how available for digital download. Other Sepia activities at maturity and low of pelagic shark space it functions in response to change. have included the University of Liverpool field fecundity, traits making them comparable to marine use, and to determine how much these overlap with Our time-series of biological observations are not student course, the University of Plymouth MRes mammals in terms of vulnerability. Tens of millions fishing effort and marine protected areas (MPAs). replicated nationally or internationally and have field week, and sampling for the University of Bristol of pelagic sharks are harvested each year by high A database of over 1,800 satellite tracks of individual underpinned numerous seminal studies. led NERC SeaDNA Project. seas fisheries but with little or no management for pelagic sharks have been assembled along with the majority of species. Furthermore, global data those of >70,000 fishing vessels, which will enable

on spatial patterns of vulnerability in relation to the first global estimates of spatial vulnerabilities Laboratory Highlights Research Vessel and Aquarium We have a versatile research aquarium with a fisheries is lacking, which precludes understanding of large sharks needed for improving high seas wide variety of tanks and facilities for keeping and of where in the global ocean conservation needs to management of threatened species. RV MBA Sepia is a custom built coded workboat. working with temperate marine species. With over be focused. In order to address these knowledge David Sims, Nicolas Humphries and Dr Nuno The vessel is a versatile platform to conduct 125 years of experience in collecting and culturing gaps, since 2016, researchers at the MBA have been Queiroz (Universidade do Porto) research and survey work, operating from shallow marine species, the MBA offers unparalleled upper estuarine environments to coastal waters expertise on the distribution, acquisition and Convergence of marine megafauna movement patterns up to 60 miles offshore. We have excellent care of marine species. Our seawater laboratory knowledge of local marine flora and fauna and provides unrivalled opportunities for scientists The extent of increasing human impacts on large differences between marine and terrestrial can provide specimens and samples for a range looking to conduct experimental projects in a marine such as sharks, , movements which, unlike on land, the daily range of external research projects. The vessel is modern research aquarium. seals and whales, partly depends on the animals’ of mobile marine animals does not scale with body available for charter and our experienced RV We welcome collaborations with other scientific movement patterns. Understanding how different size, but depends on habitat type. This highlights a team can provide advice on survey design and institutions. marine predators move and use the ocean is critical role of preferred habitat in shaping marine sampling logistics. pivotal to conservation because it helps determine global movements, which has implications the drivers underlying habitat preference and for improving predictions of marine animals’ distributional shifts in response to environmental response to environmental change such as reduced change. We have made a leading contribution to sea ice cover and declining oxygen content. a multi-national collaboration of research groups David Sims, Dr Ana Sequeira (University of Western to understand the movement patterns of diverse Australia), Nicolas Humphries, Dr Nuno Queiroz marine vertebrates (50 spp.) tracked using satellite RV MBA Sepia Seawater aquarium (Universidade do Porto) transmitters. The study shows fundamental

28 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 29 Anchoring and mooring

There has been a high level of interest from external organisations about the anchoring and mooring project, undertaken by the MBA for Defra and the Statutory Nature Interested in using our Conservation Bodies. This study produced a new risk consultancy services? Contact assessment tool to model the level of anchoring and Heidi Tillan [email protected]. mooring in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the likely risk to protected features. The final version of the report was submitted to Defra for publication. The level of interest in this work means it has been widely presented in a range of fora, these include a national stakeholder workshop focussed on Image © Keith Hiscock mooring issues where the work was well received. Area of abrasion from mooring chain over subtidal rock habitat in Plymouth Sound. Consultancy Heidi Tillan

The MBA Consultancy Team continue to grow with other organisations. the network of expert sub-contractors that we The Consultancy Team continue to work with staff pair with to write tenders and deliver projects. across the MBA to respond to tenders. Commercial applied work showcases the depth These include small and specialist consultancies, as

and breadth of marine knowledge at the MBA and Association Highlights well as academics and freelancers. We have also allows us to contribute to national understanding and trained a number of MBA students and other marine managing of the marine environment. post-graduates and placement students, all of whom have been successful in subsequently securing work Matt Frost and Heidi Tillan Data and In 2017 we delivered for companies below on the following projects:

Laboratory Highlights Information In January 2018 the MBA Data Team were With seed funding from the Marine Environmental UK Marine Management successful in their application to become Data and Information Network (MEDIN), the Data an Accredited Data Unit of the International Team worked with the UK Pelagic Habitats Expert The MBA undertook projects to provide the updates to the national Oceanographic Data & Information Exchange Group to improve the data management and develop marine monitoring procedural guidelines. With expert sub-contractors (IODE) and the UK node for the Ocean tools to support UK and OSPAR Marine Strategy we provided two technical guidelines covering, equipment, costs and Biogeographic Information System (OBIS). Framework Directive assessments. The resulting operational guidance on the use of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and This accreditation reflects the quality work of our database of over 40-million records consists of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), these have both been published team and its pivotal UK role and global profile in plankton species, trait and lifeform data from multiple and have been well-received. We anticipate future tenders will arise from marine biodiversity data management. sources covering the Northeast Atlantic. The tools this work which the MBA will respond to. The work puts the MBA at the developed, including a web portal, produce outputs forefront of guidance on marine monitoring. Heidi Tillan The ROV Videoray Our team have transformed the manually-intensive to demonstrate temporal shifts in lifeforms to indicate process of data ingestion and streamlined the changes in key aspects of ecosystem functioning. Development of new bioassay for anti-fouling coatings stringent quality assurance processes through scripting and automation, greatly increasing the Funding sources: Core - Defra, Scottish A bioassay using bryozoan larval speed at which data can be made available. Government, MEDIN. Project - H2020, EU Maritime settlement (image right) to test Working with government departments and Fisheries Fund the performance of marine foul- statutory agencies we have ensured that monitoring release coatings (image left) was Data Team: Dan Lear, Matt Arnold, Esther Hughes, data for marine protected areas (MPAs) are successfully developed during a Anna Luff, Kevin Paxman and Jen Rasal securely archived and published online, providing two-phase project for AkzoNobel. transparency and accessibility for key stakeholders. Christene Wood

30 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 31 MBA Publications Brownlee, C. 2017. Plant Physiology: The Venus management. Ecology and Evolution. 10.1002/ece3.3430 Flytrap Counts on Secretion. Current Biology, 27 (15). Faria J, Hawkins SJ, Neto AI et al., 2017. Disentangling R763-R764. 10.1016/j.cub.2017.06.029 The Marine Biological the genetic and morphological structure of Patella Association publishes Burkhardt P, Sprecher SG. 2017. Evolutionary origin of candei complex in Macaronesia (NE Atlantic). Ecology two scientific journals and synapses and neurons - Bridging the gap. BioEssays. and Evolution, 7 (16). 6125–6140. 10.1002/ece3.3121 a dedicated membership 1700024. 10.1002/bies.201700024 Fauville G, Crouch F, Gotensparre SM et al., 2018. magazine. Chrachri A, Brownlee C, Wheeler G et al., 2018. Using collective intelligence to identify barriers to In 2017 – 2018 the Journal of the Dynamic changes in carbonate chemistry in the teaching 12–19 year olds about the ocean in Europe. Marine Biological Association said microenvironment around single marine phytoplankton Marine Policy, 91. 85–96. 10.1016/j.marpol.2018.01.034 goodbye to its Editor-in-Chief (EiC) Professor Mike cells. Nature Communications, 9 (1). 10.1038/s41467- Frost MT, Stoker B et al,. 2017. Reporting marine Thorndyke. Mike oversaw an expansion of the journal’s 017-02426-y Two editions of The Marine Biologist magazine were climate change impacts: Lessons from the science- remit and a number of successful issues of the journal, produced in this reporting period, both of which had Cunliffe ,M Taylor JD et al., 2017. Algal polysaccharide policy interface. Environmental Science and Policy, 78. including the ground-breaking ‘Oceans and Human impactful covers illustrating lead articles on sawfish utilisation by saprotrophic planktonic marine 114–120. 10.1016/j.envsci.2017.10.003 Health’ issue. Mike is thanked by the MBA for the hard fungi. Fungal Ecology, 30. 135–138. 10.1016/j. and aquaculture respectively. Issue 6 looked at various Gerecht AC, Langer G, Henderiks J et al., 2018. work he put in for the journal. The new EiC Professor funeco.2017.08.009 aspects of climate change, including a first-hand Phosphorus limitation and heat stress decrease Jane Lewis is keen to keep the diversity of manuscripts account of the direct effects of extreme weather on Dal Bello M, Frost MT, Hummel H et al., 2017. calcification in Emiliania huxleyi;. Biogeosciences, 15 submitted to the journal on all aspects of marine biology people living on a remote Pacific atoll. Issue 7 gave Consistent patterns of spatial variability between NE (3). 833–845. 10.5194/bg-15-833-2018 and will be working to improve its impact. contrasting views on aquaculture from highly respected Atlantic and Mediterranean rocky shores. Journal of the A new template for the journal has been introduced and Helliwell KE. 2017. The roles of B vitamins in US scientists, and looked at the implications of Brexit for Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 97 eye-catching covers have been chosen to enhance its phytoplankton nutrition: new perspectives and prospects. the marine environment from the perspective of policy (03). 539–547. 10.1017/S0025315416001491 appearance. Volume 100 of the journal is just around New Phytologist, 216 (1). 62–68. 10.1111/nph.14669 makers and the fishing industry. We also ran a very De Leij R, Epstein G, Smale DA et al., 2017. The the corner and is a testament to the importance and Helliwell KE, Smith AG et al., 2017. Insights into vitamin topical piece on how microplastics can enter the food influence of native macroalgal canopies on the position of the Journal in the communication of marine metabolism from Porphyra and consequences for biotic chain. distribution and abundance of the non-native kelp biology over the years. Some special reviews are interactions. Phycologia, 56 (4), supplement S. 77 Undaria pinnatifida in natural reef habitats. Marine The magazine’s website also received a number of planned to celebrate this milestone for the journal. Biology, 164 (7). 10.1007/s00227-017-3183-0 Helliwell KE, Smith AG et al., 2017. Quantitative comments after publishing a rebuttal by a climate proteomics of a B12 -dependent alga grown in coculture The MBA’s first Gold Open Access Journal, Marine de Nooijer LJ, Langer G, Reichart GJ et al., 2017. Ba scientist of an article in The Spectator that dismissed with bacteria reveals metabolic tradeoffs required for Biodiversity Records published from 2016 by BioMed incorporation in benthic foraminifera. Biogeosciences, as a scam. We are keen that the mutualism. New Phytologist, 217 (2). 599–612. 10.1111/ Central, continues to publish findings from around the 14 (14). 3387–3400. 10.5194/bg-14-3387-2017 Association provides a forum for discussion and nph.14832 world. EiC, Dr Nova Mieskowska, continues to work engagement of this type. Durak GM, Brownlee C, Wheeler G. 2017. The role Holt BG, Graham CH et al., 2018. Environmental with the Editorial Board to ensure adequate expertise of the cytoskeleton in biomineralisation in haptophyte is in place to deal with the wide range of submissions. Guy Baker variation is a major predictor of global trait turnover in Association Highlights algae. Scientific Reports, 7 (1). 10.1038/s41598-017- mammals. Journal of Biogeography, 45 (1). 225–237. Subjects, including megamouth sharks, ruby 15562-8 10.1111/jbi.13091 seadragons and lionfish, continue to draw considerable Edel KH, Brownlee C, Hetherington AM et al., 2017. attention from the media. Hummel H, Frost MT, Rilov G et al., 2017. Geographic The Evolution of Calcium-Based Signalling in Plants. patterns of biodiversity in European coastal marine Current Biology, 27 (13). R667–R679. 10.1016/j. Bishop MJ, , Dafforn KAet al., 2017. Effects . Journal of the Marine Biological Association Refereed Journal Publications Hawkins SJ cub.2017.05.020 of ocean sprawl on ecological connectivity: impacts and of the United Kingdom, 97 (03). 507–523. 10.1017/ Engel A, , Zäncker B et al., 2017. The S0025315416001119 Akcaalan R, Medlin LK et al., 2018. Seasonal dynamics solutions. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Cunliffe M Ocean’s Vital Skin: Toward an Integrated Understanding of freshwater pathogens as measured by microarray Ecology, 492. 7–30. 10.1016/j.jembe.2017.01.021 Humphries NE, Simpson SJ, Sims DW. 2017. Diel of the Sea Surface Microlayer. Frontiers in Marine at Lake Sapanca, a drinking water source in the north- Brawley SH, , Prochnik vertical migration and central place foraging in benthic Wheeler G, Helliwell KE Science, 4. 10.3389/fmars.2017.00165 eastern part of Turkey. Environ Monit Assess. https:// SE et al., 2017. Insights into the red algae and predators. 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32 MBA Annual Report 2017-18 www.mba.ac.uk 33 King NG, Smale DA, Moore PJ et al., 2017. The clades from clone library studies at the Helgoland time of Sciences, 115 (12). 3072-3077. 10.1073/ 284 (1862). 20170534. 10.1098/rspb.2017.0534 importance of phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation series site in the southern German Bight. Vie Et Milieu- pnas.1716137115 Van de Waal DB, Medlin LK et al., 2018. Molecular in driving intraspecific variability in thermal niches of Life and Environment, 67. 27–32. Sheppard LW, Reid PC, Reuman DC. 2017. Rapid detection of harmful cyanobacteria and expression of their marine macrophytes. Ecography. 10.1111/ecog.03186 Mertens KN, Highfield A, Schroeder DC, Ellegaard surrogate testing of wavelet coherences. EPJ Nonlinear toxin genes in Dutch lakes using multi-probe RNA chips. King NG, Smale DA, Moore PJ et al., 2017. Cumulative M et al., 2017. Pentaplacodinium saltonense gen. 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New insights into European Marine Biology symposium – a continuing Evidence for a conserved inhibitory binding mode Smale DA, Burrows MT et al., 2018. Appreciating lipid metabolism and signaling in the red alga Porphyra success story. Journal of the Marine Biological between the membrane fusion assembly factors Munc18 interconnectivity between habitats is key to Blue Carbon Umbilicalis. Phycologia, 56 (4), supplement S. 206. Association of the United Kingdom, 97 (03). 463–464. and syntaxin in animals. Journal of Biological Chemistry, management. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 10.2216/0031-8884-56.sp4.1 10.1017/S002531541700056X 292 (50). 20449–20460. 10.1074/jbc.M117.811182 16 (2). 71–73. doi.org/10.1002/fee.1765 Zehr JP, Joint IR et al., 2017. Microbial life in the open Krueger-Hadfield SA, Mieszkowska N, Maggs CA et Paris JR, Humphries NE, Stevens JR et al., 2018. Smale DA, Cunliffe M et al., 2017. Community ocean: a universe of tiny cells separated by empty al., 2017. 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Ontogenetic partial migration is associated Queiroz N, Southall EJ, Mucientes G, Humphries reports, occasional publications and semi-popular articles with environmental drivers and influences fisheries NE, Sims DW et al., 2017. Convergent Foraging Tactics interactions in a marine predator. ICES Journal of Marine of Marine Predators with Different Feeding Strategies Bishop JDD, Wood CA et al., 2017. Guide to early conservation in a post-Brexit world. , 75 (4). 1383–1392. 10.1093/icesjms/fsx238 across Heterogeneous Ocean Environments. Frontiers post-settlement stages of fouling marine invertebrates in Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 27 in Marine Science, 4. 10.3389/fmars.2017.00239 Lindegren M, Holt BG, Rahbek C et al., 2018. A global Britain. Occasional Publication of the Marine Biological (5). 904–908. 10.1002/aqc.2838 Association 29 (revised edition). 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Multiple stressors Evidence-based Sensitivity Assessment (MarESA) – A facilitate the spread of a non-indigenous bivalve in the Medlin LK, Orazco J. 2017. Molecular Techniques for Frost MT, Baxter J et al., eds. 2017. Marine climate Guide. Information Network (MarLIN). Marine Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Biogeography. 10.1111/ the Detection of Organisms in Aquatic Environments, with change impacts: 10 years’ experience of science to policy Biological Association of the UK, Plymouth, pp.91. jbi.13184 reporting. Summary Report. Lowestoft, United Kingdom Emphasis on Harmful Species. [in special issue: Wood CA, Bishop JDD, Rennocks L et al., 2017. RAS Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership, 12pp. Genosensing] SENSORS, 17 (5). 10.3390/s17051184 Sequeira AMM, Sims DW, Humphries NE, Queiroz 2016 Non-Native Species Rapid Assessment Surveys in N, Thums, M et al., 2018. Convergence of marine Medlin LK, Metfies Met al., 2017. Uncovering hidden Hawkins SJ. 2017. 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