Recording marine life: the role of MarLIN, the Marine Life Information Network.

The Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) provides information in support of marine environmental management, protection and education. It is the marine node of the UK National Biodiversity Network, holding and making available records of marine life from professional surveys and volunteer recorders. To this end MarLIN provides marine life information and facilities for volunteer recorders including online recording, and products such as the Sealife Signpost and identification guides. Educational events around Plymouth Sound are organised for schools and the public to raise awareness and encourage marine recording. MarLIN is working with volunteers and schools to help document how the marine life of Britain and Ireland is changing, providing fieldwork training and encouraging recording of climate-change indicator and non-native species. MarLIN's role is to tie together and, where needed, to support marine life recording schemes in Britain and Ireland, and to promote best practice in handling the records generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]