Marine science: quality assurance

The NMEAQC sub-group of the NMMP concerns itself with the quality of biological effects monitoring for the National Marine Monitoring Programme and ensures that the UK meets its requirements for biological effects monitoring of marine waters under the OSPAR Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP) and other drivers.

Several ecotoxicological methods are used in the UK to monitor the biological effects of environmental contaminants. NMEAQC advises the NMMP working group on the use of these methods and coordinates analytical quality control of the methods and resulting databases. In recent years NMEAQC has stimulated a coordinated programme of biological effects monitoring in ten estuaries across the UK. NMEAQC meets quarterly and has representatives from all the UK CMAs (Competent Monitoring Authorities).

The group is chaired by John Thain (CEFAS) and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) is represented by Matt Gubbins from the Environmental Impacts Group.