Research

Marine biodiversity

An international team of experts, including academics from Lancaster, have researched and identified a list of 15 issues they believe are likely to have a significant impact on marine and coastal biodiversity over the next five to ten years. Their ‘horizon scanning’ technique focuses on identifying issues that are not currently receiving widespread attention, but are likely to become important over the next decade. The aim is to raise awareness and encourage investment into full assessment of these issues now, and potentially drive policy change, before the issues have a major impact on biodiversity.

Fishing and malnutrition

An international team of researchers including academics from Lancaster, have identified evidence that shows that foreign fishing (fleets fishing in foreign waters) and international seafood trade exacerbate nutrition insecurity, taking fish away from the waters of nations experiencing high prevalence of malnutrition and diverting the catches predominantly to wealthier countries. The researchers also modelled the effects of climate change, which is predicted to lead to overall declines in fisheries production. This evaluation exacerbates the nutrient vulnerability of many nations, with the greatest impacts on tropical countries and small island states such as Papua New Guinea and Guyana.

Coral reefs

Lancaster Environment Centre's REEFS group is working to protect and understand some of the world's most vulnerable marine ecosystems and the people who depend upon them. Hundreds of millions of people depend on coral reefs worldwide for their food, livelihoods and culture, and in turn, societies shape reef environments.

University Operations

Food on campus

In all our food outlets on campus, no fish is served from the Marine Conservation Society ‘fish to avoid list’. Local and sustainable suppliers are used for all our fish, wherever possible.