Our work on Goal 14: Life below Water
Learn about our recent progress and updates on how we're contributing to SDG 14: Life below Water.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted in 2015 by all United Nations member states. It provides a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
Find out more about our work across all the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
About Life below Water
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Research
Insights into marine plastic pollution
In 2024, researchers at the University of Stirling made an exciting breakthrough in the fight against marine plastic pollution. By studying plastic waste collected from Gullane Beach, they found that certain microorganisms living on the plastic may actually help break it down.
Using advanced techniques to look at the proteins these microbes produce, the team discovered enzymes that could naturally degrade plastic - even in cold environments like Scotland’s coastal waters. This is a big step forward, as it shows nature might already be working on solutions to one of our biggest environmental problems.
This research supports SDG 14 which aims to protect our oceans. By understanding how microbes interact with plastic, scientists can help develop greener ways to clean up pollution, protect marine life, and guide better policies for plastic use.
Deepwater Horizon study
In January 2024, researchers from the University of Stirling, led by Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget, published a major study that could change how oil spills are cleaned up around the world. The team investigated the long-term effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill - the largest in history - on tiny marine bacteria in the Gulf of Mexico.
Using cutting-edge techniques usually found in medical science, the researchers discovered that chemical dispersants, which are meant to help break up oil, actually caused more harm to marine bacteria than the oil itself. The damage was even worse when the bacteria were exposed to sunlight, which made the oil more toxic and reduced the number of helpful, oil-eating microbes.
This matters because these microbes play a vital role in keeping ocean ecosystems healthy. The findings suggest that current cleanup methods might be doing more harm than good - and that we need smarter, more environmentally friendly approaches.
The study supports SDG 14 by helping protect marine life and improve how we respond to environmental disasters. It also offers valuable insights for countries like Scotland, which face similar risks from oil pollution.
Monitoring freshwater quality in the UK
In 2024, the University of Stirling launched an ambitious project called SenseH2O, aiming to transform how we monitor the health of our rivers and freshwater ecosystems. Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, and in partnership with CENSIS and the University of Glasgow, the project runs until 2027 and is backed by over £670,000.
The goal? To build a smarter, more affordable system for tracking water quality in real time - from the source of rivers all the way to where they flow out. Stirling’s team is combining low-cost sensors, AI-powered data analysis, and wireless communication tools to create a system that works even in remote or hard-to-reach places.
This matters because UK rivers are under pressure from pollution caused by farming, cities, and sewage. Climate change is making things worse, with storms and droughts affecting how pollutants move through waterways. Current monitoring systems are often expensive, limited, or outdated.
SenseH2O aims to fix that by designing a scalable, secure, and energy-efficient monitoring system that can be used across the country. It will help scientists, regulators, and communities better understand water quality and respond faster to problems.
Learning and teaching
At the University of Stirling, students can explore how to protect our planet through two world-class divisions: Biological and Environmental Sciences and the Institute of Aquaculture.
In Biological and Environmental Sciences, students learn about biodiversity, climate change, and conservation of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through a mix of classroom learning, lab work, and outdoor field studies. The university’s beautiful campus and strong partnerships with environmental organisations give students hands-on experience in real-world settings. Meanwhile, the Institute of Aquaculture - the largest of its kind globally - trains students to tackle challenges in sustainable food production and marine health. With access to cutting-edge facilities and international research projects, students study aquatic animal health, nutrition, and farming systems. The teaching is deeply connected to global issues like food security and ocean sustainability.
The following modules available throughout the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years specifically related to SDG 14 complementing the BSc Marine and Freshwater Biology and postgraduate courses in Aquatic Pathobiology, Aquatic Veterinary Studies and Sustainable Aquaculture:
University operations
The National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub (NATIH)
Part of the University’s Institute of Aquaculture (IoA), NATIH will lead the development and deployment of the new technologies and systems required to support growth in the production of aquatic food for human consumption, while reducing the impact on natural resources.
NATIH is funded by a £17 million investment by the UK Government through the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, as well as a £1 million Wolfson Foundation grant, and £3million from the University of Stirling.
Importantly, NATIH supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 by:
- promoting sustainable use of marine resources;
- reducing pollution and ecological damage from aquaculture;
- advancing research that protects marine biodiversity;
- training future leaders to manage aquatic ecosystems responsibly.
Civic engagement
Hydro Nation Chair
The Scotland Hydro Nation Chair (HNC) programme was established by Scottish Water to bring the research and innovation (R&I) community together to support its net zero ambitions. Providing the leadership and driving the collaborations needed to deliver sustainable water management in Scotland, the Hydro Nation Chair Research and Innovation Programme is building an agile R&I community responsive to the needs of Scottish Water, with a mission of addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation. The £3.5 million programme has leveraged £19.2 million across the R&I community. At the World Water Day in 2024, Professor Andrew Tyler of the University of Stirling and Scotland’s Hydro Nation Chair delivered an overview of the programme to delegates from across academic, governmental organisations and NGOs.
Institute of Aquaculture outreach activities
The Institute of Aquaculture engages in a range of outreach activities that aim to improve awareness of aquatic science, the aquaculture sector and life below water. Examples include school visits and workshops for primary and secondary school pupils in Scotland. In 2024, Dr Amina Moss ran a workshop where participants were able to analyse water samples as they learnt the importance of water quality the MAK STEM Fest to showcase STEM careers, the event was attended by more than 140 school pupils.
In 2024, at Laurieston Primary School Dr Susan Fitzer, led an ‘Ocean Workshop’ for P3 pupils, introduced by Mrs Iona MacKay, a proud alumna of Stirling. With the ocean as their topic, Dr Fitzer explored the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems, particularly focusing on ocean acidification and its effects on shell-producing animals. The practical experiment not only highlighted the changes in seawater chemistry but also sparked discussions on environmental responsibility and the conservation of marine biodiversity.
In 2024, the Institute of Aquaculture also hosted pupils from Dunblane High School representing four teams that were pitching innovation projects on ocean exploration for a First Lego Robotics competition.
Stirling leads groundbreaking salmon vaccine trial
In 2024, the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture began leading trials for a new oral vaccine designed to protect farmed Atlantic salmon from sea lice - a major threat to fish health and the aquaculture industry.
The project is a £1.5 million collaboration involving Stirling, the Moredun Research Institute, Bimeda Animal Health, and Vertebrate Antibodies Ltd, with support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Vaccine trials are being conducted at the University’s Marine Environmental Research Laboratory (MERL) in Machrihanish.
Sea lice infestations cost the global salmon industry around £789 million annually, and current treatments are often ineffective or environmentally damaging. This new vaccine uses AI and reverse vaccinology to trigger a strong immune response in salmon, offering a safe, eco-friendly alternative to chemical treatments. By working directly with industry partners and developing practical solutions, the project supports SDG 14 by:
- improving fish welfare and reducing disease in marine farming;
- minimising pollution from chemical treatments;
- supporting sustainable seafood production and protecting marine ecosystems.