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The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is Scotland's premier independent marine science organisation generating new knowledge for the benefit of the marine environment and society since 1884.
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SAMS news room

Scientists to investigate how ocean pollutants affect human health

Euan Paterson Research Tue, May 19, '26

A microscopic image of a Calanus copepod. Credit: Nele Thomsen/SAMS

A microscopic image of a Calanus copepod. Credit: Nele Thomsen/SAMS

Scientists to investigate how ocean pollutants affect human health

Marine scientists will, for the first time, investigate how ocean pollutants and forever chemicals may impact human health by analysing a tiny but abundant ocean creature. Calanus copepods are crucial to the ocean food web, as these lipid-filled organisms – measuring around three millimetres in length – are high-energy food for fish, whales and birds, fuelling the marine ecosystem. However, these lipids could also mean they are able to absorb human-made marine contaminants.

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Oceanographic moorings are prepared for deployment in the North Atlantic

Mon, May 18, '26

New oceanographic array to aid AMOC observations

SCOTIA has shown no clear signal that AMOC is weakening at sub-polar latitude

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UHI has awarded Tom Wilding the title of Associate Professor of Innovative Environmental Assessment

Mon, Apr 27, '26

SAMS eDNA researcher awarded Associate Professor title

Tom Wilding has been a leading light in the development of eDNA for environmental monitoring

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Scottish Renewables chief executive Claire Mack will open the Environmental Interactions of Marine Renewables (EIMR) 2026 conference, hosted by the Scottish Association for Marine Science in Oban

Wed, Apr 8, '26

Renewables industry leader to open research conference at SAMS

EIMR 2026 conference will bring together research, industry and policy sectors

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Transatlantic link-up reflects global interest in renewables research

Thu, Mar 19, '26

University advisors dive in to UHI experience at SAMS

Fri, Mar 13, '26

Scientists race to understand Atlantic climate tipping point

Thu, Mar 12, '26

Sheina Marshall: Celebrating the queen of copepods

Sat, Mar 7, '26

SAMS appoints new Associate Director

Tue, Feb 24, '26

Research breakthrough in survival rate of valuable red seaweed

Wed, Feb 18, '26

Training course designed for era of environmental robotics

Tue, Feb 10, '26

Ocean innovators unite to support marine science research

Mon, Feb 2, '26

World-first landers delve into Dark Oxygen mystery

Wed, Jan 21, '26

ACES Stars: Yuliia Buhlak

Mon, Jan 5, '26

ACES Star: Andrew Richardson

Mon, Jan 5, '26

ACES Stars: Mumtahina Mohammad

Mon, Dec 22, '25

Marine robotics will aid restoration efforts on Scottish loch

Wed, Dec 17, '25

Discovery of ‘muddy squid’ highlights deep-sea knowledge gaps

Tue, Dec 16, '25

Oban to host UK seagrass conference

Wed, Dec 10, '25

SAMS' renewables research recognised at industry awards

Fri, Dec 5, '25

Transatlantic exchange will strengthen Celtic connections

Wed, Dec 3, '25

SAMS remembers former algae curator Michael Turner

Mon, Dec 1, '25

Crowdfunder success prepares ocean robotics game for launch

Wed, Nov 12, '25

Temperature-sensing technology improving safety on snow and ice

Mon, Oct 20, '25

SAMS scientist highlights neurodiversity in academic success

Thu, Oct 9, '25

SAMS welcomes new postgraduate students

Wed, Oct 8, '25

New marine science course to bolster the blue economy

Mon, Oct 6, '25

Mission to save seaweed stocks from the impacts of climate change

Thu, Oct 2, '25

SAMS 'blue economy' scientist awarded UHI professorship

Thu, Sep 25, '25

Crowdfunder aims to give gamers real-world science mission

Wed, Sep 10, '25

Graduation marks end of SAMS student's incredible journey

Mon, Sep 8, '25

Ocean research charity ready to recruit ‘The Ocean’ to its board

Thu, Sep 4, '25

HIE and SAMS join forces to enhance marine science sector

Thu, Sep 4, '25

Sign up for SAMS Open Day

Mon, Sep 1, '25

First seaweed nursery course meets industry need

Thu, Aug 21, '25

Landmark reports outline path to further marine restoration

Tue, Aug 19, '25

Community scooping whale poop to study the diet of whales in Scotland

Wed, Jul 23, '25

UK can become leader in environmental monitoring

Tue, Jul 22, '25

New app will aid flapper skate conservation

Wed, Jul 9, '25

Conservation star named student of the year

Tue, Jul 1, '25

SAMS appoints new Head of Enterprise

Wed, Jun 18, '25

Seaweed species loss prompts UN Ocean Conference call

Fri, Jun 13, '25

SAMS hosts a week of aquaculture innovation

Thu, Jun 12, '25

SAMS joins international ocean observation warning

Fri, Jun 6, '25

Project to explore community-led seaweed farming plan

Wed, Jun 4, '25

Ocean education donation will help inspire young minds

Fri, May 16, '25

SAMS scientist has say on offshore aquaculture plan

Fri, May 16, '25

Loss of seaweeds will affect ocean health

Tue, May 6, '25

Fishers invited to help assess entanglement risk

Mon, May 5, '25

High hopes for solar-powered drone tested at SAMS

Fri, May 2, '25

Biobanking call to protect seaweeds from climate change

Thu, May 1, '25

Facial recognition software to help protect ocean giant

Sat, Apr 5, '25

School pupils step inside giant humpback whale

Wed, Apr 2, '25

Study reveals long-term impacts of deep-sea mining

Wed, Mar 26, '25

Antarctic algae discovery is like finding ‘a forest in a desert’

Mon, Mar 24, '25

Industry and academia meet to chart future of aquaculture

Wed, Mar 12, '25

SAMS joins global effort to grow seaweed sector

Mon, Mar 10, '25

Impact of global record-breaking heatwaves revealed

Fri, Feb 28, '25

Robotics event showcases future of environmental data collection

Tue, Feb 25, '25

Scientists to examine Greenland and North Atlantic tipping points

Fri, Feb 21, '25

Climate change reshuffling species ‘like a deck of cards’

Wed, Jan 29, '25

Plankton science needs old and new methods, say experts

Thu, Jan 30, '25

Climate change already affecting seashore species in Scotland

Thu, Jan 23, '25

New partnership to power next generation of scientists

Mon, Jan 20, '25

SAMS to lead examination into Dark Oxygen discovery

Fri, Jan 17, '25

The Ocean enters the boardroom

Mon, Jan 13, '25

Unique algae collection marks 20 years of growth at SAMS

Tue, Dec 10, '24

Marine robotics student makes a splash with ocean clean-up plan

Mon, Dec 2, '24

SAMS joins Baku Ocean Declaration

Fri, Nov 29, '24

Scientists address sea lice issues at national workshop

Thu, Nov 21, '24

Scientists investigate underwater tsunamis around Antarctica

Tue, Nov 19, '24

Scientists on the hunt for ‘ghost fishing’ gear

Thu, Oct 31, '24

Seaweeds feeling the heat as ocean warms

Wed, Oct 30, '24

Landmark report outlines drone development in research

Thu, Oct 24, '24

New jobs will strengthen SAMS' research capability

Mon, Oct 21, '24

SAMS welcomes new postgraduate students

Tue, Oct 15, '24

Project launched to discover new natural products

Thu, Oct 10, '24

High school Dux wins SAMS science prize

Tue, Oct 8, '24

Time to notice 'invisible' plankton, say scientists

Mon, Sep 30, '24

Student field trip inspires plastic pollution research

Fri, Sep 20, '24

Landmark reports reveal UK seabed carbon storage potential

Thu, Sep 19, '24

SAMS celebrates exceptional students at graduation 2024

Fri, Sep 13, '24

Oban up to the challenge as conference host

Wed, Jan 8, '25

SAMS Director to lead university-wide research

Thu, Sep 5, '24

Scottish-built light sensor reveals ocean discovery

Wed, Sep 4, '24

First Antarctica plant survey could aid conservation efforts

Tue, Aug 6, '24

SAMS and Clipper connect over ocean issues

Thu, Jul 25, '24

Deep-sea discovery calls into question origins of life

Tue, Aug 13, '24

‘Virtual taxonomist’ in training to identify toxic algal blooms

Wed, Jul 17, '24

Greenland science expedition to unveil critical climate insights

Mon, Jul 15, '24

Shipping warning as centuries-old Arctic ice released

Thu, Jul 11, '24

SAMS scientist appointed as government adviser

Wed, Jul 3, '24

UK ocean institutes to answer climate change questions

Wed, Jul 3, '24

Unique MRes to help research big ocean topics

Mon, Jul 1, '24

UK and Malaysia share seaweed knowledge

Mon, Jun 17, '24

Marine heatwave boosted UK land temperature record

Fri, May 31, '24

Seaweed forests an overlooked ally in carbon removal

Wed, May 22, '24

Transatlantic connections in the Canadian Arctic

Mon, May 20, '24

#WhaleTalk campaign engages Edinburgh audience

Mon, Apr 29, '24

Outreach with a distance at Dynamic Earth event

Wed, Apr 24, '24

Totally tropical adventure for trailblazing students

Wed, Apr 24, '24

Student takes centre stage at first ever conference

Tue, Apr 16, '24

Student using pedal power to attend energy conference

Wed, Apr 3, '24

Students praise Oban as 'home from home'

Wed, Mar 20, '24

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