• Operated by the Marine Biological Association,
    the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey
    is one of the world's longest running
    and most geographically extensive
    marine ecological surveys
  • Towing since 1931 and over 9 decades of analysis
    100’s of scientists around the world are using CPR data
    The CPR Survey has now towed over 7.5 million nautical miles
    We collect plankton coupled with ocean physical, chemical and biological observations
    Our data are freely available and collaborations encouraged
  • video
    OPERATIONS / TAXONOMY / INSTRUMENTATION / DATA ANALYSIS / POLICY MAKERS / SCIENTISTS
    The future of the CPR Survey
    The iCPR project: Integrating artificial intelligence throughout all CPR activities

Welcome to the CPR Survey

The Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey is the most geographically extensive marine monitoring programme in the world. Started in 1931. Today the Survey is operated by the Marine Biological Association, based in Plymouth, UK.

285552

Total Samples Analysed

94

Years Towing

7533431

Total Nautical Miles Towed

659

Taxa Routinely Analysed

Key Services

Marine biological datasets provide a wide range of environmental and climatic indicators to address marine environmental management issues such as Harmful Algal Blooms, pollution, climate change and fisheries

Research

At the base of the marine foodweb, the free floating plant life of the sea (phytoplankton) provide food for the animal plankton (zooplankton) which in turn provide food for many other marine organisms

Find Out More

Policy Makers

Policy drivers continue to influence research at the CPR Survey and an important aim of the organisation is to use CPR data and the expertise of Survey scientists to deliver evidence-based advice to policy makers and ecosystem managers

Find Out More

Data

The CPR Survey is unique in having comparable data on the geographical distribution, seasonal cycles and year-to-year changes in abundance of plankton over a large spatial area

Find Out More

FIND OUT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO AND WHAT IS COMING UP

READ ARTICLE

We commend Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS being named in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025

17 Apr 2025 | 6

Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS named in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025...

READ ARTICLE

Global marine research boosted by MV Kaying’s role in Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey

10 Apr 2025 | 27

Operations Manager, Lance Gregory and Ship's Liasion Officer, Dave Wilson have just returned fr...

READ ARTICLE

100% score at Phytoplankton Workshop

04 Dec 2024 | 16

CPR Survey Plankton Analyst, Martina, has travelled to Hilderod in Denmark this week to take pa...

READ ARTICLE

Visits to our vital network of ships.

29 Nov 2024 | 12

Head of Operations, Lance Gregory visited friends and supporters of the CPR Survey in Tromsø, N...