Key marine issues on the agenda

KEY marine issues in the South West will be the focus of a national conference to be hosted at the University of Plymouth next week.

Marine biologists from leading organisations across the UK are to deliver presentations and share marine research findings at the 'Seashore to Sea Floor' Conference from March 27 to 29.

University of Plymouth marine biologist, Dr Jason Hall-Spencer believes Plymouth is an ideal location to host the conference on behalf of the Porcupine Marine Natural History Society.

He said: "The South West has one of the richest marine environments in the UK and is increasingly the focus of exciting and often world-leading research, so I am delighted we are able to unite expertise from across Britain to share knowledge on the regional landscape.

"The conference boasts an impressive agenda with over 20 presentations on research including the arrival of foreign marine species to our waters, marine biodiversity of the Isles of Scilly, the limestone sea caves in Torbay and assessment of the recovery of the Lyme Bay exclusion zone."

As well as research presentations from the Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership (Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Marine Biological Association, University of Plymouth, Marine Life Information Network and the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation of Ocean Science), other conference speakers are from; Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Natural England, Scottish Association for Marine Science, Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Marine Fish Information Services, University of Glamorgan, Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Science, South Devon AONB, National Museum Wales, Marine Ecological Surveys Ltd, Marine Conservation Society, Countryside Council for Wales and Seasearch.

The conference, which includes a registration fee, is open to all those with an interest in marine natural history.

For further information and to download a booking form, visit www.pmnhs.co.uk.