Dedication to Dr. Martin Angel and Prof. Mike Fasham FRS

Abstract

of the nascent benthic group. In the early 1980s this group made an important contribution to oceanography in the discovery of the rapid deposition of phytodetritus on the abyssal sea floor. Continuing his interest in the interactions between man and the environment, Martin had a significant involvement in the debate on the disposal of the Brent Spar oil platform and was a frequent spokesman to the House of Lords Select Committee. Despite retiring in 1997 he has continued to work at NOCS and in 1998 gave the prestigious annual Buckland lecture with the title ‘‘Sustainable Use of the Open Oceans: Waste Disposal’’. He has sat on many committees, playing a substantial role in the wider scientific community. More specifically, he co-edited Progress in Oceanography for 25 years, helped draw up the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan and has been a member of WWF-UK’s Conservation Committee for 18 years, specializing in aspects of marine conservation and management. He has participated in over 30 research cruises and written over 150 scientific papers many of which are widely cited.