St Abbs Marine Station

On Monday there were a number of sightings of minke whales in the area. Marine Station staff and volunteers were lucky enough to get some great views and even captured this wee bit of video footage. Especially exciting for some, for whom it was a first!

Last week was Volunteer Week, so we decided to ask our vollies to spend the week putting together a video of what its like volunteering with us. Looks like fun doesn't it?!

But seriously - we couldn't do it without them.

Its Mental Health Awareness Week! Scientific research shows that spending time near water is good for our mental health. We see and hear the sea every day, but if you cannot get to the sea, here's a wee sample of what it looks and sounds like just outside our door!

Last week we were sad to say bye Alfie Piper who has been with us since 2017. Alfie first came to join us as a volunteer, and was taken on as a full time (and paid) researcher in 2021. She brought a unique energy to the Marine Station, and she will be greatly missed. We wish her luck for the future.

Are you looking for a career in Marine Biology? Do you have some free time between now and the end of May? If so, why not come and volunteer with us! Primary duties will be animal husbandry and general aquarium maintenance and assisting with research projects. Sorry, applicants must be over 18 yo.

Our tank is all set-up as part of today's bioblitz activities with Berwickshire Marine Reserve & St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve. There are all sorts of events happening today, including a guided walk & bug hunt! What a day for it!! ☀️ Events can be found at www.facebook.com/berwickshire...

New paper alert!

We’ve published a new article about our work on the effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF). With researchers from @w-u-r.bsky.social, we looked at the potential effects of EMF on the behaviour of small-spotted catsharks.

Read the full article for free: doi.org/10.1016/j.ma...

Our Research Assistants, Finlay and Jonathan, have been doing research on behaviour of edible crabs and lobsters (check out this paper they have written about some of their work www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/9/...). They were not quite sure how to categorise this behaviour shown by an edible crab though..

We had a very enjoyable and productive Science Day with partners from the The University of Edinburgh, The Roslin Institute, NatureScot and The National Trust for Scotland on Monday. Its always great to get so many people in one place at a time to share thoughts and ideas.

We always enjoy being able to release marine creatures back into the wild. Here's Eloise, Joe and Reece releasing some flounders. Look carefully and you will see that Reece's flounder is a little slow on realising it can swim free! 😍

This week we've spent two days at Dynamic Earth's STEM Careers Showcase 2025! It was great to be part of this amazing event bringing together a diverse range of STEM employers from research and industry.

It's science week, and we've been busy attending careers events inspiring the next generation of marine biologists! Here's Zoe and Erica on our stand at Eyemouth Careers Fair.

YouTube video by ScotLINK Declare your love for nature!

In Scotland, nature is struggling.

But this year we have a huge chance to help it recover with the Natural Environment Bill.

We need our leaders to know how much Scotland's nature matters!

Declare your love for nature:

www.scotlandlovesnature.scot/actnow

www.youtube.com/shorts/PJdbt...

🦞Happy International Women’s Day! Did you know that a female lobster carrying eggs is called a berried hen? This is one of our female European lobsters. A glue like substance keeps her eggs secured to her swimmerets under her tail for protection. Her eggs can be held for up to a year🦞

A white-tailed eagle soars over the water

This #WorldWildlifeDay comes at a crucial time.

In Scotland, 1 in 9 species are at risk of extinction.

But the Natural Environment Bill has the potential to be a real turning point for nature recovery.

Read more: www.scotlandlovesnature.scot/this-could-b...

#ScotlandLovesNature

📸Simon Jones

a speckled flounder in a yellow bucket

Happy Darwin Day! Did you know that during their larval stage a flounders (and other flatfish) eyes are located either side of their head? Then a metamorphosis period occurs during which one eye migrates, so both end up on one side of their head before they settle onto the seabed!

Student Bursary Scheme launched for 2025 | Berwickshire & Northumberland Marine Nature Partnership The Berwickshire and Northumberland Marine Nature Partnership is inviting applications for a new student bursary scheme. The scheme will award small grants of up to £300 for successful applications to...

The Berwickshire and Northumberland Marine Nature Partnership's Student Bursary Scheme is now open for applications for this year.

An application form and further details can be downloaded at www.xbordercurrents.co.uk/student-burs...

Less than a week to go until the deadline for applications to come and work with us over the summer. More info in the video and/or go to marinestation.co.uk/get-involved... for more information. #internships #placements #volunteering

Lovely to see an otter hunting in the water just off the Marine Station this morning; successfully too! We couldn't ID what it caught, but it was quite sizeable as you'll see if you zoom into these photos! It always gives you a buzz to see wildlife like this, especially when its on your doorstep! 😍

We would love to be added, thanks :)

A reminder to anyone who wants to volunteer at St Abbs Marine Station this year. Our deadline for summer applicants is 9am Monday 20th January 2025. This includes voluntary internships and university placement students. Details are all in the post below. #marinebiology #internship #volunteerwork

Are you looking for a career in Marine Biology? Would you be interested in gaining or adding to existing practical experience of working in a marine research facility during the summer of 2025? We are now accepting applications for volunteers for the period between May and September.