Marine Conservation Research Group

Investigating the consequences of human activity on marine biodiversity and its ecosystem services

Man fishing in small boat above coral reef.

Marine Conservation Research Group

Investigating the consequences of human activity on marine biodiversity and its ecosystem services

The Marine Conservation Research Group investigates the consequences of human activity on marine biodiversity and its ecosystem services in order to provide scientific evidence and management advice for the benefit of marine ecosystems and society.

Within the group, there are several units working in key areas of marine conservation:

Please contact research group leader Professor Emma Sheehan with any queries, or visit our theme pages for specific projects and associated staff for further details.

Our research themes

Image of waves crashing on beach with sun shining

Society and the sea

Montenegro aquaculture

Fishing and aquaculture

Climate change

Blue carbon, climate change and ocean acidification

Shoal of small fish swimming together over seafloor with seagrass, Atlantic ocean.

Marine Protected Areas

Oil Rig with ship at sea during a storm, Copyright: Nightman1965, courtesy of Shutterstock

Extractive industries

Plastic bag in the ocean

Plastics and pollution

Coastal processes research group google earth plugin image

Nature-based solutions

Offshore wind farm at sunset. Image courtesy of Getty Images.

Marine renewables

Marine conservation news

Aerial view of pod of bottlenose dolphin swimming in the ocean

Partnership develops real-time marine mammal detection system

The University of Plymouth and MSeis are working together through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership

9 March 2026

Releasing pollack at depth could benefit their long-term survival
The new research led by the University follows a UK-EU agreement to introduce recreational management for pollack

12 February 2026
Project investigates public attitudes and perceptions towards the decommissioning of marine artificial structures
The READ-ME initiative will document attitudes and perceptions in order to generate crucial knowledge to guide sustainable ocean management

3 February 2026
New report reveals scale, causes and consequences of South West octopus bloom
Researchers from across Plymouth comprised the new report which draws on data from scientists, fishermen and citizen scientists

27 January 2026
£3.7m project aims to provide unprecedented analysis of mesophotic coral reefs
The five-year initiative will assess the response and resilience of mesophotic coral ecosystems to future climate change

20 January 2026
More related news

People

Professor Sian Rees

Associate Head of School - Research

Group lead
Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop

Associate Head of School - International
Dr Adam Rees

Visiting Researcher
Dr Alexander Wilson

Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology
Dr Alice Hall

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Amy Cartwright

Project Support Officer
Dr Anaelle Lemasson Lemasson

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Dr Benjamin Ciotti

Associate Professor of Marine Biology
Dr Clare Embling

Associate Head of School for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Professor Emma Sheehan

Professor of Marine Ecology
Miss Florence Barraud

Teaching and Support Assistant
Mrs Florence Parker-Jurd

Associate Research Fellow (National Highways)
Dr Gillian Glegg

Associate Professor in Marine Management
Dr Holly Niner

Global Challenge Research Fellow: Blue finance for nature-based solutions
Dr Joanna Harris

Research Fellow
Professor Kerry Howell

Professor of Deep-Sea Ecology
Mr Kyran Graves
Kizzy Beaumont

Research Assistant
Dr Lynda Rodwell

Associate Lecturer
Dr Llucia Mascorda-Cabre

Post Doctoral Research Fellow
Mr Matthew Faith

Research Assistant
Dr Matthew Holland

Research Fellow
Professor Martin Attrill

Professor of Marine Ecology
Dr Matthew Ashley

Research Fellow - Social-Ecological Systems
Professor Melanie Austen

Professor of Ocean and Society
Dr Miriam Reverter

Lecturer in Marine Biology
Nata Tavonvunchai
Dr Nicola Quick

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Dr Nicola Foster

Lecturer in Marine Biology
Dr Peter Davies

Post-Doctoral Researcher
Miss Rachel Turnbull
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS

Director of the Marine Institute
Dr Robert Puschendorf

Associate Professor in Conservation Biology
Dr Simon Ingram

Associate Professor of Marine Conservation
Dr Sarah Gall

Lecturer in Marine Conservation
Dr Thomas Stamp

Visiting Research Fellow
Dr Thomas Davies

Associate Professor of Marine Conservation
Mr Tom Mullier

Visiting Specialist
Dr Vikki Cheung

Project Manager
Dr Winnie Courtene-Jones

Honorary Associate Researcher

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Download the Marine Conservation Research Group Annual Report