Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)

Contact Information

Relevant research is carried out at the main Lowestoft Laboratory and at the other CEFAS Centres/Laboratories at Burnham-on-Crouch and Weymouth

The contact information for CEFAS Burnham-on-Crouch is:

The contact information for CEFAS Weymouth is:

Mission Statement

Our purpose is to provide quality scientific services to the Government and other customers, in order to enhance the protection of the public, the conservation of the aquatic environment, and the rational management of natural resources.

 We achieve this by:

• delivering the service our customers require in terms of understanding their needs, quality, reliability and price

• making the full use of the talents of our people

• developing high levels of expertise by incorporation of relevant scientific and legislative developments

• seeking accreditation, as appropriate, to national standards such as the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

• running our business effectively.

The CEFAS core values of integrity, excellence, customer focus, concern for people and continuous improvement are integral to the way we work.

 Short Historical Statement

Major Programmes

CEFAS has a strong and active research and monitoring programme which supports our strategic requirements and the development and application of innovative methods and technologies. We apply the understanding and knowledge from these programmes to establish systems and formulate advice for effective environmental monitoring and fisheries management. 

We research and monitor all aspects of marine, coastal and freshwater environments and their living resources, including pathways to man. We also assess the impact and interaction of factors, both natural and man-made, such as fishing, pollution, disease and climate change upon fisheries and the general aquatic ecosystem. 

In each of our three main areas of work: aquatic environment; fisheries science and management; and fish health, hygiene and cultivation, we undertake a comprehensive series of linked programmes of research & development and monitoring & assessment. 

Our Aquatic Environment Programme is concerned with the science of protection of the aquatic environment and the safety of food from the sea. Our overall aim is to ensure continuous improvement in the state of the environment.

 Monitoring and assessment activities:

• regular monitoring and assessment of radioactive, chemical and microbiological contamination of the aquatic environment to provide a measure of environmental and fisheries products quality and the ability to predict environmental impacts and observe environmental change

• environmental impact assessments of operational activities in the coastal zone, such as waste disposal at sea, pipeline discharges, minerals and gas exploitation and extraction.

Research programme themes:

• ensuring an up to date understanding of the state of the aquatic environment, such as dispersion, distribution, pathways and effects of contaminants, physical aspects of the environment, and the impact of climate change and human activity.

• developing scientific tools that are at the forefront of environmental assessment techniques, such as trace analytical methods, biological effects techniques, toxicity testing and ecotoxicological bioassays, and novel instrumentation.

Our Fisheries Science and Management Programme is concerned with the rational management of natural resources to ensure sustainability and protection of the ecosystem.

Monitoring and assessment activities:

• regular monitoring and assessment of the state of commercial fish and shellfish stocks

• providing advice to support the regulation and management of fisheries.

Research programme themes:

• investigations to provide a better understanding of the biology of fish and their environment and to improve the quality of assessments and advice, such as modelling, multi-species interactions, population biology and behaviour, fish ageing techniques

• biodiversity and the impact of fisheries on the environment and the ecosystem, such as fishing gear impact and selectivity.

Our Fish and Shellfish Health, Hygiene and Cultivation Programme is concerned with the control of serious diseases of fish and shellfish, and providing advice on fish health and aquaculture, with the aim of encouraging competitive, sustainable and environmentally-acceptable aquaculture industries.

Monitoring and assessment activities:

• inspection and diagnosis of serious diseases of fish and shellfish in England and Wales and controlling their spread

• providing scientific and technical support and advice on fish health and aquaculture policy, legislation and practice.

 Research programme themes:

• understanding of epidemiology and pathogenesis of diseases, the interrelationships between pollution in the marine environment and disease in fish stocks

• developing improved methods of disease control

• improving production efficiency of fin fish and shellfish cultivation

• addressing stock management and welfare issues.

Overseas and Industrial Links

Our international public sector clients include:

• The European Commission

• UN Agencies

• Non-UK Government Departments and Agencies

Our UK public sector clients include:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

• Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions

• Department For International Development

• Health & Safety Executive; English Nature

• Environment Agency; Scottish Environment Protection Agency

• Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

• Local Authorities.

Our UK and international private sector clients include companies involved in:

• oil & gas industry

• food industry

• aggregate extraction industry

• engineering & construction industry

• water services sector

• chemical, pharmaceutical and veterinary medicines manufacturing

• fish feed manufacturing

• aquaculture industry

• instrument manufacturers

• environmental consultants.

In addition we maintain extensive collaborative links with research institutes and universities throughout the world.

Special Facilities

CEFAS Lowestoft Laboratory has a variety of fish holding and rearing facilities, raceways, acoustic and annular tanks. Modern computer and analytical capabilities are used to develop fisheries and hydrographic models. A dedicated microelectronics unit designs and develops miniature data loggers and telemetry systems for environmental, industrial and commercial monitoring applications. The radioanalytical laboratory is equipped with the latest alpha, beta and gamma radiation counting systems for the quantitative assay of a wide range of radionuclides. It also has controlled environment rooms for a wide range of biological effects work.

CEFAS Burnham Laboratory is equipped with sophisticated instrumentation for environmental research and monitoring. A wide variety of spectro-photometric and chromatographic techniques including GC/MS, HPLC/MS, ICP/MS and atomic fluorescence are employed in the ultra trace determination of inorganic and organic contaminants. The Laboratory has controlled-environment rooms for marine and freshwater ecotoxicology, and outdoor tanks and ponds for mesocosm studies. In addition there are facilities for sedimentology and studies of benthic species.

CEFAS Weymouth Laboratory is purpose-built and was officially opened in 1995. It houses an extensive experimental 250 tank aquaria facility with computer-controlled water temperature and illumination. Modern facilities for fish and shellfish disease diagnosis and research include scanning and transmission electron microscopes with an X-ray micro-analysis suite for biological and environmental samples. The laboratory will acquire indoor culture facilities for broodstock, larvae and juvenile fish.

Research Vessels Associated with the Centre

Research Vessels RV Corystes and RV Cirolana are purpose-built, sophisticated ocean-going vessels for estuarine, shelf seas and deep water oceanographic and fisheries surveys. Accredited to ISO 9000 and IMO’s International Safety Management Code they provide an effective and economic platform for data acquisition. Both are able to deploy a wide range of commercial and experimental static and towed gear and are fitted out with laboratory facilities and extensive electronics including scanning sonar.