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Research centre to be disbanded

3 July 2000

The Natural Environment Research Council decided at its Council meeting last Thursday (29 June 2000) that it no longer wishes to maintain two marine science centres. It has decided to continue support for Southampton Oceanography Centre which is run jointly with the University of Southampton, but to disband the Centre for Coastal & Marine Sciences.

The crucial role of the three CCMS laboratories in delivering core strategic and applied marine science for NERC and other customers should continue in different ways involving local and regional collaboration. Plans for viable futures include:

  • negotiating with the Scottish Association for Marine Science to deliver NERC's science needs at Dunstaffnage in Scotland through an agency or contract arrangement
  • continuing discussions to relocate the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory to the University of Liverpool, a case welcomed and accepted by NERC Council
  • exploring collaborative partnerships for the Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

Although NERC and CCMS worked hard over the last year to solve financial problems, a continuing decline in external funding has made the financial position of CCMS unsustainable in the long term.

NERC Council members placed on record their appreciation of the effective leadership provided by the three Directors (and the acting Director) of the CCMS sites.

The three Directors are fully involved in redefining their programmes over the next two months to focus on the individual scientific strengths of the laboratories. This will include the national facilities housed within CCMS, such as the British Oceanographic Data Centre. The implications for staff of possible future changes will be carefully considered and discussed openly over the next few months.

Existing contracts with external customers will be completed and honoured in full by the three laboratories.

Further information

Judy Parker
Tel: 01793 411646
Mob: 07867 553053

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Notes

1. The UK's Natural Environment Research Council funds and carries out impartial scientific research in the sciences of the environment. NERC trains the next generation of independent environmental scientists.

2. The Centre for Coastal & Marine Sciences was composed of:

  • The Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory
  • The Plymouth Marine Laboratory
  • The Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory.

Press release: 12/00

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