The National Oceanography Centre has congratulated its Delivery Partner, the Marine Biological Association (MBA) on its award of the Royal Charter.
This is a hugely significant step for the Association with the petition for the Charter – which will officially come into effect when the Great Seal is applied – being approved in recognition of the MBA’s long and eminent history and its status within the field of marine biology.The award strengthens the Association’s role in promoting marine biology as a discipline and in representing the interests of the marine biological community. The MBA’s application was supported by NOC.
MBA members will benefit from having an enhanced standing within the marine biological field and in being able to take advantage of a number of new benefits including the introduction of a new category of member, Fellow of the MBA.
MBA Director Professor Colin Brownlee said, “The Charter underlines our commitment to excellence in marine biology and presents new opportunities for promoting the field much more widely. It also recognises the importance of understanding the complexities of marine life and the impacts we are having on our seas.”
MBA Deputy Director Dr Matthew Frost, who has been working on the development of the Charter said, “This award reflects the growing importance of the marine environment as a focus for research. I am very grateful to our members and to all those in the marine community who supported us in gaining this Charter.”
NOC Executive Director, Professor Ed Hill, said “We were delighted to endorse the MBA’s bid for the Royal Charter and congratulate them on their success. It reflects the Association’s high standing and record of achievement, and underlines the importance of marine biology in our understanding of the seas and oceans.”