Concern for the marine environment is now high on the political and public agenda. For centuries the oceans have provided essential resources, contributed hugely to the global economy and inspired many cultures worldwide. We now also recognise their influence on global climate and their central role in Earth's delicately balanced life-support system.
Yet human needs place increasing strains on the sea. Declining fish stocks, rising levels of marine debris, pollution disasters and vanishing coral reefs are symptoms of the dangers facing the world’s oceans – and ourselves.
This subject area – itself a new, exciting and topical one for the Museum – is being developed at Greenwich by creating access to a wide range of resources, undertaking authoritative research and planning vivid new displays and educational work.
Planned activity
The National Maritime Museum (NMM) launched Planet Ocean in 2002. This initiative provides the Museum with an opportunity to bring together the past, present and future of the oceans. Key elements include:
- a vivid suite of displays – Making Waves, Oceans of Discovery and Your Ocean
- a research, publication and scholarship programme
- a range of learning and educational resources
Key themes
- Oceans and environmental change
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Deep-sea exploration, navigation and discovery
- Citizenship and sustainable development
Related library resources
The Museum already holds an extensive collection of publications related to the contemporary marine environment. These may be accessed via the Caird Library. The main strengths of this collection are in oceanology (in particular many of the key marine science textbooks published since 1970) and in ocean law and regulation.
An online catalogue of the Library and Manuscripts holdings is also available.
Key partnerships
The Museum also has a Marine Environment Advisory Group. This is a group of key stakeholders, who provide the Museum with expert advice as well as access to potential objects and other resources. These organisations are excellent sources of information relating to this field. Their contact details are given below:
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
University of Southampton
Waterfront Campus
European Way
Southampton SO14 3ZH
Tel: 023 8059 6666
16 New Burlington Place
London W1S 2HX
Tel: +44 (0)20 7851 5070
Email: enquiries@thecrownestate.co.uk
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Tutt Head
Mumbles
Swansea
West Glamorgan SA3 4HW
Tel: 0870 600 6505 (information line)
UNEP-WCMC
219 Huntingdon Road
Cambridge CB3 0DL
Tel: +44 (0)1223 277314 (main switchboard)
Fax: 01223 277136
Email: info@unep-wcmc.org
Panda House
Weyside Park
Godalming
Surrey GU7 1XR
Tel: 01483 426333
Fax: 01483 426409
The National Trust
PO Box 39
Warrington WA5 7WD
Tel: +44 (0)870 458 4000
Fax: 020 8466 6824
Email: enquiries@thenationaltrust.org.uk
Marine Conservation Society
Unit 3
Wolf Business Park
Alton Road
Ross-on-Wye
Herefordshire HR9 5NB
Tel: 01989 566017
Fax: 01989 567815
Society for Underwater Technology
80 Coleman Street
London EC2R 5BJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 2601
Fax: +44 (0)20 7382 2684
Email: info@sut.org
IMarEST
80 Coleman Street
London EC2R 5BJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 2600
Fax: +44 (0)20 7382 2670
Email: info@imarest.org
The Gateway
Rowhedge Wharf
High Street
Rowhedge
Colchester
Essesx CO5 7ET
Tel/fax: 01206 728644
Email: admin@coastnet.org.uk
Next steps
For general research help see:
Research guide A2: Principal records for maritime research at the National Maritime Museum
Although care has been taken in preparing the information contained in this document, anyone using it shall be deemed to indemnify the National Maritime Museum from any and all injury or damage arising from such use.