University scientist plays key role in global Plankton Manifesto

Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop helped to develop the landmark document unveiled at the United Nations General Assembly in New York
Various plankton types
A scientist from the University of Plymouth has played an integral role in an international coalition driving the development of a global Plankton Manifesto.
The landmark document, unveiled during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, emphasises the critical role of plankton in addressing the interlinked global crises of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
It has been produced by the Ocean Stewardship Coalition, an initiative of the UN Global Compact drawing together 30 experts from academia, industry, governments and other global organisations.
Among its members is Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop, Associate Professor in Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth and a world-leading expert in plankton, their importance to the planet and the threats facing them.
She provided crucial insight on how plankton biodiversity is changing in our ocean, based largely on her experience and expertise of leading the OSPAR Commission’s assessments of pelagic habitats.
That work sees multiple countries collaborate to interpret plankton data to better understand how our seas are responding to pressures such as climate change, information which is critical to using plankton data to inform decision making at regional scales.
Dr McQuatters-Gollop was joined on the Ocean Stewardship Coalition by other researchers from Marine Research Plymouth, which brings together the University, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and the Marine Biological Association.

The Plankton Manifesto is powerful as it raises the profile of plankton on an important international stage.

Plankton are mostly invisible without a microscope, but they are fundamental to the marine food web and the production of atmospheric oxygen which we need to breathe. I am really proud to be part of an effort to bring plankton into global conversations about marine biodiversity and future of our ocean. We hope the result will be increased funding for plankton monitoring and research, and greater inclusion of plankton data and science in environmental decision making.

Abigail McQuatters-GollopDr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop
Associate Professor of Marine Conservation

Plankton are microscopic organisms that have been foundational to life on Earth for over 3.5 billion years, and perform essential functions that sustain our planet's health. Despite their immense importance, plankton are under threat and remain poorly understood.
The Plankton Manifesto includes three key recommendations that call for immediate global recognition and action to protect these vital organisms: the improving of knowledge to better monitor; creating plankton awareness for all; and integrating plankton in global political discussions.
It advocates for the adoption of "Plankton-Based Solutions" to benefit humanity and the environment, leveraging advances in DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, satellite monitoring, AI-assisted image analysis, and other cutting-edge technologies to enhance our understanding and stewardship of plankton.
Having been launched at the United Nations, the manifesto will seek endorsements at key global environmental conferences, including COP29 on Climate, COP16 on Biodiversity, and the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, in June 2025.

Read more about our research linked to this project

The small but mighty phytoplankton are the labourers of the ocean, they serve as the base of the food web

Small but mighty – study highlights the abundance and importance of the ocean’s tiniest inhabitants

Plankton

Researchers help to highlight the true scale of UK’s nature loss

The Continuous Plankton Recorder (Credit: Marine Biological Association)

Six decades of decline sparks call to protect the foundation of the marine food web

Public policy evidence summary

Preserving the planet’s lungs and securing the oxygen supply

The role of plankton in establishing broader pelagic ecosystem status
Human pressures are changing marine ecosystems. Information on the causes and impact of these pressures should be used to guide policy and conservation decisions.
Getty plankton