A large part of our work centres on primary research into the impact of major industrial projects, including dredging and marine aggregate mining on benthic biological and fisheries resources. Our staff have international experience in marine science and are able to advise clients on appropriate cost-effective mitigation measures to minimise impact on the marine environment. The results of our work are generally published in the international literature and are also available to download from our website.

In addition to our own research work, MESL are increasingly invited to work on major collaborative projects with organisations including government advisors, conservation departments and NERC laboratories. Much of our research has become interdisciplinary combining expertise from a number of different fields in order to better understand the marine environment as a whole.

MESL’s recent research work has included:

• Collaborative Regional Environmental Characterisation (REC) projects funded by the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund in the Eastern English Channel, Outer Thames, South Coast, Outer Humber and East Coast; working with BGS, Cefas, Wessex Archaeology, Birmingham University, Sussex Sea Fisheries Committee, Envision and Gardline Environmental
• Impacts of aggregate extraction on adjacent Sabellaria spinulosa aggregations and other benthic fauna
• Meeting the MPA Network Principle of Viability: Feature specific recommendations for species and habitats of conservation importance
• A review of the guidelines for the conduct of benthic studies at aggregate extraction sites in partnership with Cefas
• Automated mapping of marine habitats from marine sonar and bathymetric data in collaboration with the University of Bristol
• DIVERSE – Dredging Impacts Verified in Relation to Scientific Evidence in collaboration with Cefas