Marine Plankton
Milford Haven
Pembrokeshire UK
Aims of the Site
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To share marine plankton information
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Display photos of plankton biodiversity
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Provide an educational resource
Welcome. This site covers coastal plankton washing on to the stunning shores of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. There is an amazing biodiversity of microscopic life living in every drop of seawater. Collections are made around Milford Haven, part of the Special Area of Conservation, with the most regular ones made in Dale. Other locations. Before looking at the details of The Species check the species chosen each month in the Previous Photo of the Month. You may want to have quick look at the Biodiversity page while Methods looks specifically at how the samples are taken and photographed. The monthly Blog is full photos of the latest species found.
Photo of the Month
Possibly due to the warm sea in autumn jellies have become more abundant year on year. In 2024 the Mauve Stinger Pelagia noctiluca swarmed in from the Atlantic on to the south west coast of the UK, a fairly rare event. While fewer in number this November juveniles appeared in the plankton net along with their ephyra larvae. Photographed on 14th November this was the smallest example (1 cm across) and has not developed any mauve coloration. However, the warty appearance on the umbrella are the battery of sting cells although there are plenty elsewhere. The blade-like oral tentacles collect zooplankton and pass the food to the mouth. The orange-red structures on the umbrella are rhopalia, sensory organs for light and gravity. This is the only good photo of the species I have managed over the years as it is so rarely seen on the shore.
See this months Blog/News for more.
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A juvenile Mauve Stinger Pelagia noctiluca