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We make sense of the changing seas, on which future human prosperity and wellbeing depend

Vision, Mission, Goals and Values

Science and Research

Our planet is constantly changing and climate change poses a big threat to society.

Together with years of experience, innovative technology and some of the world’s leading scientists, we take on the challenge of understanding the complexity of our oceans, the Earth system and the biosphere.

Technology

The NOC is a pioneer of ocean technology – pushing the boundaries of endurance and capability every single time we make a deployment. Through decades of hard-won experience at the forefront of ocean measurement, the lessons we have learned are carried forward to generation after generation of ocean-going platforms and sensors.

Public Benefit

The NOC provides public benefit, as part of a global endeavour, by contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge of the ocean, which is both a public good in its own right and can lead to applications which result directly or indirectly in public benefit.

Our Enduring Mission is to Make Sense of Changing Seas

The National Oceanography Centre has been in existence in its various forms for over six decades, is one of the largest charities in the UK, has an annual turnover of over £60 million, employs over 600 staff and is one of the few research organisations globally that has the equipment and expertise to operate at full ocean depth.

Big Science for Big Challenges

By 2025 there will be nine billion people on Earth, with populations growing fastest in low-lying coastal regions. We are increasingly turning to the oceans to address the three big challenges.

The NOC Provides Facilities to the UK Marine Research Community

Advances in ocean science depend on measurements in the ocean. Satellite observations provide data for the surface layer of the ocean. To penetrate beyond the surface, scientists rely on in situ physical measurements from a range of platforms, including research ships, ocean observatories, moorings, and autonomous underwater and surface vehicles.

More about Facilities

World leading innovative science and technology underpinning the ocean economy

The National Oceanography Centre is in a unique position of having world-leading multi-disciplinary scientific and technical expertise which can help unlock the economic and societal potential of the ocean across a range of industry sectors.

Working with Business

In the Spotlight

News

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New study estimates there is at least ten times more plastic in the Atlantic than previously thought

  • News
  • 19 August 2020

The mass of ‘invisible’ microplastics found in the upper waters of the Atlantic Ocean is approximately 12–21 million tonnes.

Events

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This year’s Marine Autonomy and Technology Showcase (MATS 2020) will be held as a virtual event for the first time, taking place on 10–12 November.

  • Events

In the light of the ongoing challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the National Oceanography Centre has taken the decision to deliver the event as an online conference for the first time. The approach has been strongly supported by the industry and academic advisors who sit on the event delivery committee.

Latest Publications

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NOC Covid-19 Response

The NOC is supporting its staff to work from home where possible so that we can continue to undertake our research activities, deliver our contractual commitments and maintain our core business functions.