The
Marine Life
Information Network for Britain and Ireland (MarLIN)
was established by the Marine Biological Association of the UK in
collaboration with JNCC and major holders and users of marine
biological data and information in Britain and Ireland. It was
developed in 1997 from the requirements of different organisations
for the same information to protect and manage the marine
environment. This information includes: descriptions of where
particular habitats, communities and species occur; descriptions of
the features of those habitats communities and species and, their
sensitivity in relation to natural events and human
activities.
Two fans of Eunicella verrucosa
showing the two morphs, pink and white
© Keith Hiscock
MarLIN provides a structure for linking available
data on marine life around Britain and Ireland, which provides the
marine node to the National Biodiversity Network (NBN). It also
improves the access, display and interpretation of information in
support of environmental management, protection and education by
linking marine biological survey information from a variety of
sources so that it can be searched from the website.