All hyperlinked text (links) are in a light blue and underlined. When you point at them with your mouse they are highlighted blue. The pull down menus are also highlighted when you select them with your mouse. Anchors and navigation buttons are supplied as dark blue buttons with light blue writing.

However, the absolute tell-tale sign that what you are pointing at with your mouse is a link (a hyperlink) is that you mouse cursor changes, usually from an 'arrow' to a 'hand with a pointing finger'. To follow the selected link click the left mouse button once.  If you find yourself somewhere unexpected just use the 'Back' button on your Web browser.

Why do the pages end abruptly? or Why can't I find information in your lists?

Make sure that you are looking at the whole of the page by scrolling down. You can either use the scroll bar located to the far right-hand side of the window, or use the 'Page Down' button on your keyboard.

How can I find my way around the Web site?

There are a variety of methods available:

• The header bar (at the top of the page) provides 'pull down' menus that should take you to most of the Web site. Just hover the mouse over your desired subject area and select your destination from the menu that appears, or move across the bar to the next menu.
• Click on the header bar will always take you to the home page.
• Within the MarLIN Web pages you will find distinct dark blue buttons, with light blue text, that will take you to other parts of the Web page, to supporting information, or to other parts of that section of the Web site.
• Within the species and biotope information pages all species and biotope names are hyperlinked in their first instance. You can follow these links to information on the species or biotopes named.  If we do not have information on the named species or biotope you will be provided with a link to a Google search for more information.

We have also provided links to relevant outside information. For example, the species pages provide a link to a Google search, and the Data Access pages provide a link direct to the National Biodiversity Network. For further information still visit our 'Links' section.

MarLIN specialises in marine benthic invertebrates in British and Irish waters, although we do include a few intertidal or benthic fish species and a few of the more charismatic marine mammals or reptiles. If you are interested in vertebrates (e.g. fish, amphibians, reptiles, or mammals) then we hold information on only a few species. Visit our 'Links' section for relevant information resources.

What species and habitats have we researched, and why?

There are about 8,500 marine species recorded in British and Irish waters (so far). We quickly realised that we could not research them all in the time available to us. Therefore, we have had to prioritize.

Species key information research has focused on species listed under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the EC Habitats Directive, the Wildlife & Countryside Act (click here for information) or species that are nationally rare or scarce.  These are augmented by species of important in marine habitats, e.g. keystone species, ecosystem engineers, or characteristic species of biotopes or  species important for community function.  Biotope key information targets biotopes identified within the interest features marine SACs in English and Scottish waters.

How can I cite your key information reviews?

Please use the example citation printed at the bottom of every 'basic information' page. The citations take the following form, which is compliant with the International Standard ISO 690-2 for bibliographic references to electronic documents. For example:

Tyler-Walters, H., 2003. Nucella lapillus. Dog whelk. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 15/03/2004]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Nuclap.htm>

Obviously, the species or biotope in the title will change.

Can I use the images on your Web site?

The images on our Web site have been kindly donated by a number of image providers. Their use is governed by our 'terms & conditions' which spell out how the images can and cannot be used.

Whats units do we use for salinity?

Salinity is ameasure of the concentration of dissolved salts in seawater. Salinity is defined as the ratio of the mass of dissolved material in sea water to the mass of sea water (UNESCO, 1985). But this 'absolute' definition is not practical. Salinity was measured by a chlorinity titration but with the development of the salinometer, which utilizes conductivity, a new definition was developed. The 'practical salinity' (S) of a sea water sample is defined as the ratio of the electrical conductivity of the sample (at 15 °C, and one standard atmospheric pressure) to that of a standard solution of potassium Chloride (KCl). A ratio of 1 is equivalent to a 'practical salinity' of 35 (UNESCO, 1985).

Until recently, salinity was expressed as parts per thousand (ppt or ‰). Subsequently, adoption of the 'practical salinity' gave rise to the 'practical salinity unit' (psu). However 'salinity', defined as the ratio of two quantities of the same unit, is a 'dimensionless quality', i.e. takes no units. Therefore, it is correct to speak of a salinity of 35 (UNESCO, 1985).

Baretta-Bekker et al. (1992) suggested that, in most cases, where a high degree of accuracy is not required, old and new figures for salinity can be used interchangeably. However for the sake of accuracy, when referring to salinity in our on-line reviews, the units used by the original authors are quoted in the text.

How do we reference information cited in the text?

MarLIN uses the Havard (Author Date) system of referencing. The name of the authors are indicated in the text together with the date of publication. Full citations are given in the reference lists and bibliography using the Journal of the Marine Biological Association (JMBA) house style. Where an author has more than one publication in any one year, the date is appended with a letter, e.g. 1984a, 1984b. Please note, the lettering is consistent through the entire Web site bibliography, rather than any individual review.

Fucus vesiculosus in weight loss patches! Does it work and is it safe?

We have received numerous enquiries concerning the use of seaweed extracts, particularly Fucus vesiculosus, in weight loss 'patches' and other products in 2003.  In response, we contacted an email list-server for international algal biologists for their advice.

There is not enough space here for their detailed comments. However, in summary, the majority of respondents were highly sceptical about the efficacy of Fucus extracts in 'patches' for weight loss. One respondent noted that seaweed extracts probably had therapeutic properties but emphasised the need for medical supervision in their use.

The nutritional and therapeutic properties of seaweeds are outside our sphere of expertise.  The above merely summarises the comments of others.  We can only suggest that anyone interested in weight loss products should obtain professional medical advice beforehand.

Marine Recorder is software designed to record marine survey data and links to the database structure required by National Biodiversity Network. Contact MarLIN if you want more information.

Why isn’t there any data for the area I am interested in?

MarLIN is pulling together marine survey datasets and making them accessible over the Web. If your area has no data we may not have accessed data in that area yet or in some cases there is no data! If you have a specific location enquiry let us know.

Can I use the data for my work?

The data displayed belongs to the data provider or owner. If your use of the data is for a commercial purpose you must have the permission of the data owner to use it.

Why do some entries not have any survey data?

For some datasets we only have access to metadata (information on that dataset) not the raw data. In these cases we display only the metadata.

I have some data I would like to contribute. How can I do this?

Easy – just get in touch with us. Generally, we accept data in all formats from paper to databases. The most common medium is as Excel spreadsheets. We clean up the data and migrate it into the MarLIN database before displaying it on the Web site. You will need to provide details of how the data was collected, when and who owns the data.

Please get in touch. We are trying to engage with the educational community and can provide you with additional materials like ID guides. Please feel free to copy our educational Web pages as a resource

We certainly will take most records but we are primarily interested in seabed and seashore species. For fish, basking sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles and seahorses we can point you in the right direction through our Signpost Project

Why should I record marine wildlife?

The seas around Britain and Ireland are changing, in response to pressures from human activities, introduced species and climate change. If we are to understand and document these changes we need to establish a baseline of what is where for this decade.

How do I enter my records?

You can record your sightings of marine wildlife on-line, or download a paper version of the form if you prefer. Please remember that biological records require, who, what, where, and when as a mimimum.

If you are a new volunteer recorder we ask you to supply your details once only. We need basic details from you to verify the records we receive. For example, we may need to contact you for further information, or if a record is unusual.

I’ve found a stranded whale/dolphin/porpoise/turtle! What should I do?

Whale, dolphin and porpoise live strandings.

In the UK please contact:
RSPCA 0870 55 55 999 and British Divers Marine Life Rescue (UK Hotline) 01634 281680

Or in Scotland
The Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit - 01261851696
SSPCA - Edinburgh 0131 339 0111
SSPCA - Inverness 01463 231191
SSPCA - Aberdeen 01224 581236

For the strandings of dead animals, contact the Natural History Museum – 02079 425155

or for strandings of dead animals in Devon & Cornwall please contact:
Cornwall: Cornwall Wildlife Trust (01872) 273939
Devon: Devon Wildlife Trust (01392) 433221
or Lindy Hingley (01803) 752253

Turtles
Entangled or stranded turtles should be reported immediately to the following contacts:
England & Wales:
Marine Environmental Monitoring - 01348 875000;
RSPCA (live strandings)– 08705 555999
Scotland:
SSPCA 0131 339 0111 (24hrs)
Northern Ireland:
Portrush Countryside Centre02870 823600 or 07770 570350 (24hrs)
Ireland:
University College Cork 00 353 (0) 21 4904140 / 00353 (0) 21 4897392

REMEMBER:
Marine animals are wild. They can carry diseases which are transferable to humans, and they can cause injury by trashing their tails or otherwise. Never put yourself at risk of injury.
1. Approach animals with care, and if in doubt wait for help.
2. Do not attempt to move heavy animals without adequate assistance.
3. Always wash your hands thoroughly after contact.
4. Children are particularly at risk from marine mammals, and should stay well clear of them.