👀 iNaturalist Observation of the Month 📷 This month's standout sighting comes from iNaturalist user elegaer, who recorded a leopard-spotted goby (Thorogobius ephippiatus) in Corran, Fort William. 🐟 Think you've spotted something exciting? Share it on iNaturalist: https://uk.inaturalist.org/home

💙 Sea Spectacles: July Factsheet 🌊 This month we’re shining a spotlight on the Atlantic bluefin tuna – one of the ocean’s most impressive fish. Known for its incredible speed, long-distance migrations and recent return to UK waters. @thembauk.bsky.social @nmbluk.bsky.social

Senior Data Officer, Julie, captured this photo of a compass jellyfish with juvenile fish sheltering beneath its bell. Among the tentacles, they gain protection from predators, using the jellyfish as a drifting refuge. 🪼🐟 Log your wildlife sightings on iNaturalist 👉 https://uk.inaturalist.org/

🌊🦀 Join @therockpoolproject.bsky.social at the Community BioBlitz Festival 2026! 📍 Porthpean Outdoor Education Centre 📅 29th-30th August Help record Cornwall's coastal wildlife during this free 24-hour event. 🎟️ Tickets and more information: http://bit.ly/4gCSAke @thembauk.bsky.social

🪸 Hidden treasures in Par's rockpools! Senior Data Officer Julie spotted a yellow skirt slug (Okenia elegans) 💛 on Spit Beach. Listed by the NBN as a Nationally Rare Species, it's proof that even a casual rockpool can uncover remarkable wildlife. Record your observations: https://uk.inaturalist.org/

Recently, Chloe, DASSH Data Manager, attended the Plymouth Shark Science and Conservation Committee, organised by The Shark trust as part of Shark Month. Chloe presented on data flows, demonstrating how effective data management underpins marine research and supports evidence-based decision making.

❗Warning: This course may lead to excessive enthusiasm for data governance❗ Registration is open for MEDIN's FREE Marine Data Management, Governance & Toolset training. Build your marine data skills and become a data champion! 👉 https://medin.org.uk/  @thembauk.bsky.social

🌊 New data has just dropped! 📊 We've recently published 7 new marine biodiversity datasets on the DASSH mapper... 🦀 4 datasets from DAERA 🌱 1 dataset from NatureScot 🪸 2 datasets from @thembauk.bsky.social  Dive in and discover - https://www.dassh.ac.uk/dasshmapper

👀 iNaturalist Observation of the Month 📷 @beccamace spotted a common seal (Phoca vitulina) at Flamborough Outer Headlands 🦭 Jun-Jul is pupping season, so if you're lucky enough to spot common seals along the coast, remember to keep a safe distance. 👉 https://uk.inaturalist.org @thembauk.bsky.social

We found an illustration of this cute cephalopod in Forbes' 'A history of British Mollusca and their shells' 1853 Described in volume 4, the plate illustration can be found in volume 1 📷BL.48/F

DASSH@dassh-at-the-mba.bsky.social · 2mo ago

💙 Sea Spectacles: June Factsheet 🌊 This month we’re diving into the fascinating world of the Atlantic bobtail squid! From its clever use of symbiotic bioluminescent bacteria to its unique way of hiding in the sand, this tiny cephalopod is full of remarkable adaptations. @thembauk.bsky.social

💙 Sea Spectacles: June Factsheet 🌊 This month we’re diving into the fascinating world of the Atlantic bobtail squid! From its clever use of symbiotic bioluminescent bacteria to its unique way of hiding in the sand, this tiny cephalopod is full of remarkable adaptations. @thembauk.bsky.social

🦀 Help us name our newest team member! 🦀 Meet our Chinese mitten crab cuddly toy, gifted to DASSH by former Data Officer Lizi 💙 It’s missing one thing—a name! Got a suggestion? Comment below 👇 Real mitten crabs are invasive in UK waters. Seen one? Report it 👉 dassh.enquiries@MBA.ac.uk

New data available to explore via the DASSH Mapper: 🦪 FISP oyster aquaculture studies (2022–2024)  🌿 Helford intertidal transects (1986–1999) 🌍 Falmouth Bay & Estuaries conservation overview (1996) 🐚 Antony Lynher Estuary survey of Crassostrea gigas (2014) 👉 www.dassh.ac.uk/dasshmapper

🌊 Take part in the #BigSeaweedSearch (25th July–2nd Aug) and help scientists track ocean change. Get involved: • Download the guide • Photograph seaweed • Upload your sightings Join the Natural History Museum & Marine Conservation Society and make a difference 💙

Big Seaweed Search

The Big Seaweed Search is a joint project between the Marine Conservation Society and the Natural History Museum. Find out how you can take part today!

actmcs.org

🌊 Now live: Marine Research Plymouth Alliance film Great to see the @thembauk.bsky.social featured! A snapshot of collaboration between @pml.ac.uk, @plymuni.bsky.social & MBA - driving world-leading ocean research. 🎥 Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HypG...

New data just dropped 📊🌊 In the past month we’ve published 13 open-access marine biodiversity datasets through Marine Recorder Online: 🔹 6 Seasearch 🔹 1 Natural England 🔹 1 NatureScot 🔹 5 DAERA Explore them all on the DASSH Mapper 👉 https://www.dassh.ac.uk/dasshmapper @thembauk.bsky.social

#OBISNodeSpotlight 🌟 Discover how OBIS UK connects one of the world's most active national marine biodiversity data ecosystems to the global stage. From research institutes to citizen science, OBIS UK helps make marine biodiversity data FAIR and globally accessible: obis.org/2026/05/29/n...

👀 iNaturalist Observation of the Month 📷 Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) spotted near Roker Pier, Sunderland by Tony Parker (funkyt1973)! 🐬🌊 Intelligent, playful, and up to 4m long, these dolphins are a joy to see. Record your sightings 👉 https://buff.ly/48wRAPI @thembauk.bsky.social

We’re pleased to share that DASSH is now a provisional member of the FIDELIS TDR Network 🎉 FIDELIS is a European initiative working to strengthen data repository ecosystems through shared frameworks for policies and workflows 🌍 Learn more 👉 https://eden-fidelis.eu/ #DASSH #MarineBiodiversity

💙 Sea Spectacles: May Factsheet 🌊 This month we're shining a spotlight on the common cuttlefish - from its impressive intelligence and problem-solving abilities to it's remarkable hunting skills and short but fascinating life cycle.  Dive in and discover what makes this species so extraordinary!

🐙🐚 Happy International Day for Biodiversity! 🐟🦑 Today (22nd May) we’re celebrating the amazing variety of life on Earth 🌍 Join iNaturalist’s project (15th–31st May) & share your observations 👉 https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/idb-2026-acting-locally-for-global-impact/join @thembauk.bsky.social

🌊 When digital ocean tools meet real decision-making. DTO-BioFlow is moving from what’s possible to what’s usable — through targeted matchmaking events with real users 🤝 👉 Discover more: tinyurl.com/56zw86te #DTOBioFlow #DigitalOcean #EDITO

🌊 National BioBlitz 2026 🌿 Join 23rd–31st May to record wildlife, learn new skills & support citizen science with The Rock Pool Project. Everyone can take part! Register here 👉 https://www.therockpoolproject.co.uk/national-bioblitz @thembauk.bsky.social @therockpoolproject.bsky.social

🌊 EMODnet Biology Annual Meeting 🌍 Chloe Figueroa Ashforth represented the MBA in Santander (6–7 May), collaborating with European partners on marine biodiversity data. The MBA Data Team supports EMODnet Biology, helping make high-quality data accessible for research & sustainable ocean management.

🌊 BioBlitz Week Webinars 💻 Join expert-led sessions with The Rock Pool Project: 👩‍💻 Using R to explore iNaturalist data (19th May & 2nd June, 2pm) 🦀 UK marine invasive non-native species (21st May, 7pm) 👤 Hosted by Dr Ben Holt 👉 Sign up:

National Bioblitz

Join the Big Rock Pool Challenge: National BioBlitz (23-31st May 2026) — a UK-wide citizen science event inviting everyone to explore rock pools, record marine wildlife on iNaturalist, and help track invasive species along our coasts.

therockpoolproject.co.uk

Ellen (DASSH Data Officer) & Dan (Head of Data & Info) were in Montpellier for #BioMonWeek26 🌍 Ellen presented Defra-funded offshore wind monitoring data work, while Dan covered data tools & chaired GBIF/OBIS and marine data sessions. Here’s a glimpse of the conference & sunny Montpellier 🌞

Time is running out to celebrate those who are strengthening our understanding of the UK’s natural world. Nominate a #Wildlife recorder for the @nbntrust.bsky.social  #NBNawards26 before 18th May. Just answer a few simple questions in the 7 Award categories https://bit.ly/NBNawards26nominations

DASSH is now listed by the Research Data Alliance as endorsing the TRUST Principles🤩These principles (Transparency, Responsibility, User Focus, Sustainability & Technology) reinforce our commitment to high-quality marine biodiversity data👉

RDA and the TRUST Principles - RDA

RDA and the TRUST Principles The TRUST Principles: An RDA Community Effort An RDA community effort has led to the development and publication, in Nature Research’s Scientific Data, of the article, 'The TRUST Principles for digital repositories'. These principles offer guidance for maintaining the trustworthiness of digital repositories, especially those…

rd-alliance.org

#WildlifeRecording is vital for #ConservationUK. Who are your recording heroes? Nominate them for @nbntrust.bsky.social #NBNawards26 7 categories: https://bit.ly/NBNawards26nominations Deadline-18th May. @nbntrust.bsky.social

🌊❔ What is the link between Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) and Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs)? A new infographic explains how EOVs and EBVs connect. 👉 Full series: marcobolo-project.eu/eovs-ebvs-in... Feel free to share! #GOOS #GOOSBioEco #GEOBON #MBON @erinninnovation.bsky.social