Monitoring

Expanding the concept of 'blue carbon’: Cefas science on coastal ecosystems and their role in tackling climate change

turtle swimming above seagrass

The importance of mangroves and other blue carbon ecosystems in mitigating the impacts of climate change is once again high on the agenda at this year’s Nature, Land-use, and Oceans Day at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai. …

Learning lessons from (almost) a decade of MPA monitoring in English waters: where are we now and what happens next?

Posted by: , and , Posted on: - Categories: marine protected areas, Monitoring, Uncategorized

In recent years it has become clear, both in the UK and globally, that interventions are urgently needed to protect our precious marine wildlife and safeguard the resources provided to us by the sea. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are tools …

Into the deep: How Cefas science of the deep-sea is exploring uncharted waters

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: biodiversity, Deep-sea, Monitoring, Policy, Science

The deep-sea covers more than 60% of the Earth's surface. Deep-sea ecosystems are amongst the least well understood owing to the combined challenges of remoteness, vastness, and the difficulties of exploring its depths. The ‘deep-sea’ is a catch-all term that …

Making waves: recent contributions of Cefas fisheries science for the future of fisheries management in the UK

Fishing net onboard a boat

On Monday 17th July, the UK government’s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced further steps to deliver a thriving, sustainable fishing industry and healthy marine environment following the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU). As …

Monitoring UK seas: how smart data and teamwork are key to Cefas success

Posted by: , , and , Posted on: - Categories: data, Monitoring, Policy, Science, Technology

Scientists love a bit of data, but it’s not just dry numbers and graphs. To celebrate International Open Data Day on March 5th, Cefas scientists, Michelle Devlin, Chris Read, Naomi Greenwood and Paul Nelson tell us about their work under …

Enhancing knowledge and protection: St Helena and the Global Ocean Wildlife Analysis Network

Posted by: , and , Posted on: - Categories: Monitoring, Science, Technology, Vulnerable species
Whaleshark

St Helena is an oceanic island located in the tropical South Atlantic. Home to a fantastic array of marine biodiversity, it is one of the ten UK Overseas Territories that are part of the new Global Ocean Wildlife Analysis Network. …

Pulling back the "Blue Curtain" in the UK Overseas Territories

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Field Research, Fisheries, International, Monitoring, Technology
Blue shark at Tristan da Cunha

Cefas project lead, Dr Paul Whomersley: The oceans are rich and wondrous, hosting diverse wildlife and incredible species beneath the surface. But at a time when ocean resilience and productivity are declining, it is more important than ever to look …

Plankton observations, microscopic creatures with global influence: how we use small ocean life to monitor the health of seas the life they support

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Monitoring, Science
Magnified images of Plankton

Microscopic plankton form the base of the marine food webs. Yet they are often the “forgotten” element in marine ecosystems despite having the critical role of supporting all other life. Cefas’ plankton scientists maintain long-term observational records of marine plankton alongside developing new technologies to improve monitoring of this key collection of organisms.