Marine Plankton
Milford Haven

Pembrokeshire UK

Aims of the Site

To share marine plankton information
Display photos of plankton biodiversity
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. Before looking at the details of The Species check the specimens chosen each month in the Previous Photo of the Month. The monthly Blog is full of photos of the latest species found. You may want to have a look at the Biodiversity page that gives a plankton overview while Methods looks specifically at how the samples are taken and photographed. More below

Photo of the Month

Gallery: Previous 'Photo of the Month'

Although weather conditions continued to be rough there was a small window on 17th February when calm conditions prevailed for more than 48 hours. During this time the sample results were astounding, not least because of this crustacean larva: a first stage zoea larva of the Common Hermit Crab Pagurus bernhardus.

Not only this specimen but seven were counted in total.

Although the adults are common on the rocky shore I find the hermit crab larva quite rarely and the last one recorded was 30th March 2021.

Thanks to Elizabeth Beston for assistance in species identification.