If you are planning a research project at your college or university, you might like to work on something that really benefits the marine environment - an MCS research project. The projects are designed to meet the academic requirements of undergraduate degrees and postgraduate taught courses, as well as contribute to mcs' understanding of current conservation issues.

The following is a list of potential research theses for 2008/9, with the contact name of the MCS staff member responsible for that title. Please contact MCS using the request form for more details, or ring MCS on 01989 566017 to discuss a project.

water quality and chemical pollution

• Review and assess the impacts of endocrine disruptors on marine organisms.
  Contact: Tom Bell
• Review and assess the impacts of the marine disposal of contaminated dredge material.
  Contact: Tom Bell
  

beach litter

• An investigation into the impacts of marine litter on local fishermen.
  Contact: Sue Kinsey
• Investigation of the environmental and physical factors affecting beach litter deposition and accumulation on beaches.
  Contact: Sue Kinsey
• An investigation into the effects of leachates from cigarette stubs in the marine environment, and a review of the known effects of these leachates on marine organisms.
  Contact: Sue Kinsey
• An investigation into latex balloon biodegradation times in the marine environment.
  Contact: Sue Kinsey
• Design and test a methodology for quantifying densities of plastic pellets on UK beaches and analysing the presence of chemicals adhered to their surfaces.
  Contact: Calum Duncan
• Review and assess beach litter survey and clean-up initiatives in Scotland.
  Contact: Calum Duncan
• A pilot study of the resources required for statutory litter monitoring using the NALG protocol on Scotland’s beaches.
  Contact: Calum Duncan

fisheries and aquaculture

• Predator controls on fish farms - latest developments, efficacy and wider effects of current methods.
  Contact: Dawn Purchase
• Chemical usage in fish farms - a review of chemicals used, environmental effects and alternatives.
  Contact: Dawn Purchase
• Sea lice treatments – a review of alternative methods of sea lice control.
  Contact: Dawn Purchase
• Implications of escaped farm salmon and the effects on wild salmon stocks.
  Contact: Dawn Purchase
• What are the environmental effects of the Omega- 3 diet revolution?
  Contact: Dawn Purchase

biodiversity protection

• A case study of ecological and socio-economic impacts of activities / pollution in a Scottish sea loch.
  Contact: Calum Duncan
• Analysis of the results from the MCS curio trade survey - which species are sold and are they correctly labelled regarding their sustainable sourcing?
  Contact: Liz Wood
• No Take Zones - Temperate versus tropical "Modus Operandi".
  Contact: Jean-Luc Solandt
• An investigation into the occurance of ocean acidification effects on the growth and development of Eunicella verrocusa.
  This project will identify the changes in somatic and reproductive tissue growth and development under different suite of controlled pH conditions which are forecast for the seas around UK depending on different ocean acidification projections (generally derived from work undertaken by Plymouth Marine Laboratory). The research will give us an insight into the resilience (or otherwise) of this BAP/protected species to potential environmental change. [This experiment will need a license from Natural England for the collection of specimens for laboratory work].
  Contact: Jean-Luc Solandt
• An investigation into the particle capture of the pink seafan Eunicella verrocusa
  Preliminary field investigations carried out by the Marine Conservation Society in 2005 showed distinctly different flow regimes around pink seafan colonies between and within sites at different depths, and separated by different microhabitats - these changes in current may have a bearing on the ability of colonies to successfully capture and process planktonic food. This experiment will involve the use of flow chambers to show the varying effects of different strength laminar flow on colony/polyp orientation; and particle capture success. [This experiment will need a license from Natural England for the collection of specimens for laboratory work].
  Contact: Jean-Luc Solandt
• A spacial assessment of UK inshore fisheries and BAP species and habitat distribution. MCS has produced comprehensive maps of BAP distribution around UK inshore waters. We have no information thus far on the distribution of fishing effort in the same waters. The student concerned would be provided with our base maps and the links to the National Biodiversity Network from where the biodiversity data can be mapped (it is in map-ready form). Much of the data gathering of the fisheries effort would have to come from CEFAS, MFA and the Sea Fisheries Committees. The project would show which areas of UK have the most pressing threats from fishing effort to BAP species and habitats, and where there are opportunities for spatial protection measures.
  Contact: Jean-Luc Solandt

maritime industries

• While accepting the overall benefits of tackling climate change assess the site impacts of large scale development of wave and tidal power in NW Scotland and the habitats and species most at risk.
  Contact: Melissa Moore
• Research oil and gas zoning world wide and whether no take zones are utilised.
  Contact: Melissa Moore
• Assess the impacts of marine aggregate exploitation in England and Wales on gravel biotopes.
  Contact: Melissa Moore

marketing and communications

• Assess the coverage of marine conservation issues in various media, and identify where journalists may benefit from support or education.
  Contact: Richard Harrington