An ocean of opportunity.

The article reports on the merger of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) of Great Britain with the NERC Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory and the NERC National Oceanography Centre to form the National Oceanography Centre (NOC). The stated aim of the merger is to tackle the fragmentation of marine science in the country with focus on the areas of climate change, marine ecosystems and sustainability. The consolidation is expected to improve prospects in the field following the economic downturn and cuts in state funding.