THE CONTINUOUS PLANKTON RECORDER (CPR) SURVEY AND THE MARITIME SHIPPING INDUSTRY
Working together to help monitor the health of our oceans 90+
7million+ miles towed
years of towing
For over 90 years the Maritime Shipping Industry has supported the CPR Survey by towing mechanical sampling devices, Continuous Plankton Recorders’. Monthly plankton samples collected since 1931 have helped scientists to develop a better understanding of:
Climate Change
Fisheries
Ocean Acidification
Plankton can be considered the foundation of life in the sea, so monitoring numbers and locations of species can let us know how a warming climate effects where they, and their predators live. Our data has shown a northward movement of warm-water species.
The CPR Survey was started in 1931 to help fisheries and has remained a useful tool for over 90 years. CPR data are being used to explore the links between important fish stocks and their prey. By recording not only the young fish larvae, but abundances of their food items (plankton) we can indicate health of stocks.
Species respond differently to ocean acidification with some ‘winners’ increasing in numbers, and some ‘losers’ decreasing. By monitoring >700 plankton species over 90 years we are able to see how they are adapting to a changing chemical environment.
Marine Litter
Invasive Species
Human Health
The Survey recorded the first ever scientific recording of marine litter (in 1957), and through monthly surveys, has shown there has been a rise in open ocean plastics abundance since the 1950’s. An extensive library of samples are kept, allowing scientists to look back in history. The CPR Survey operates in many of the world’s oceans meaning our experienced team are ideally placed to spot not only new species, but also plankton new to a region. We have shown that ballast water transport and warming ocean temperatures have caused movement of some species.
Samples we collect from our CPRs can be analysed to look for bacteria or viruses. We have been able to identify pathogenic marine bacteria that can cause food-poisoning. By tracking their preferred environmental conditions we are able to develop better early-warning systems.
We would like to extend our gratitude to all owners, operators, charterers, captains and crew of all the vessels, past, present and future, who support our global Survey. Monitoring the health of the oceans since 1931 www.cprsurvey.org @cprsurvey e. cprsurvey@mba.ac.uk