Our Enduring Mission is to Make Sense of Changing Seas
The National Oceanography Centre has been in existence in its various forms for over six decades, is one of the largest charities in the UK, has an annual turnover of over £60 million, employs over 600 staff and is one of the few research organisations globally that has the equipment and expertise to operate at full ocean depth.
The NOC Provides Facilities to the UK Marine Research Community
Advances in ocean science depend on measurements in the ocean. Satellite observations provide data for the surface layer of the ocean. To penetrate beyond the surface, scientists rely on in situ physical measurements from a range of platforms, including research ships, ocean observatories, moorings, and autonomous underwater and surface vehicles.
More about FacilitiesWorld leading innovative science and technology underpinning the ocean economy
The National Oceanography Centre is in a unique position of having world-leading multi-disciplinary scientific and technical expertise which can help unlock the economic and societal potential of the ocean across a range of industry sectors.
Working with BusinessIn the Spotlight
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Microplastics Research
Understanding the extent and implications of microplastic pollution on the health of marine ecosystems.
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RRS James Cook Virtual Tour
Explore one of the world’s most advanced research vessels from the bridge to the engine room.
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Oceanids
Funded by the UK government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, new innovative autonomous vehicles, sensors and software developed at the NOC push the boundaries of ocean exploration.
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Free online course
'Addressing marine ecosystems and food security’ is a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) available via Future Learn.
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Leading ocean expert joins NOC to advance its digital understanding of the seas
22 January 2021The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is a global leader in ocean understanding and has now committed to making sense of the seas through its...
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NOC recognised as a world leader in scientific excellence
21 January 2021The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has been hailed as making ‘a vital contribution to the UK’s leading position in environmental...
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Scientists discover how the potentially oldest coral reefs in the Mediterranean developed
21 January 2021A new study from the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC, Spain) and the National Oceanography Centre brings unprecedented insights into the...
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Award win for international sustained observations team
19 January 2021The Oceanography Society (TOS) has named members of the RAPID / MOCHA / WBTS 26ºN team as the inaugural recipients of the TOS Ocean Observing...
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Citizen science call - we're shore you'll love it!
12 January 2021A new citizen science project launched today is inviting the public to help recover data from historic tide gauge ledgers from the North West of...
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Research expedition begins to measure world’s largest system of ocean currents
8 December 2020Royal Research Ship (RRS) Discovery departed Southampton today to measure one of the world’s largest system of ocean...
Latest Publications
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Evidence of localised upwelling in Pemba Channel (Tanzania) during the southeast monsoon
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Characteristics of shallow and mesophotic environments of the Pemba Channel, Tanzania: Implications for management and...
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Historical estimates of surface marine temperatures
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Ecological variables for deep-ocean monitoring must include microbiota and meiofauna for effective conservation