01 Identity
Scottish charity record
- OSCR charity number
- SC009206
- Status
- Active
- Regulatory type
- Standard
- Designated religious body
- No
- Geographical spread
- UK and overseas
- Volunteers
- 1-50 volunteers
- Staff
- 186
- Postcode
- PA37 1QA
02 Purpose and work
What the charity exists to do
For 140+ years, SAMS has been a pioneer in marine science-championing a vision of a healthy ocean that underpins thriving people and a sustainable planet. As a global ocean science and education charity, and world-renowned research institute, our work doesn’t simply observe the ocean, it empowers people, informs policy, and accelerates solutions to some of the biggest and most devastating environmental challenges of our time. Our research spans every corner of marine science and delivers public benefit by: • Solving real-world environmental problems: from climate change and ocean acidification to pollution and biodiversity loss. • Strengthening global governance and sustainable practice: by providing the evidence base for better decision-making at every level. • Inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards: through education, outreach, and public engagement we turn awareness into action. We believe the ocean holds the key to unlocking solutions for the future of our planet.
Charitable purposes
- the advancement of education
- the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science
- the advancement of environmental protection or improvement
Beneficiaries
- No specific group, or for the benefit of the community
Activities
- It carries out activities or services itself
Constitutional objectives
The objects for which the Association is established are:- (a) To take over the whole of the assets and liabilities of the unincorporated association, founded in 1894, constituted on 26th November, 1897, and consecutively carried on since the latter date, first, under the name of THE MILLPORT MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION, second, under the name of THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND, this style or title having been adopted at a meeting of the Association held on 15th January, 1901 and third, under the name Scottish Marine Biological Association, this style or title having been adopted at a meeting of the Association held on 18 December 1914. and toenter into such agreements and to make, do and execute all such acts, deeds or things as maybe necessary for the purpose of taking over all such assets and liabilities or any part thereof.
03 Annual returns
Income and expenditure history
| Year end | Income | Expenditure | Staff | Return received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2025 | £11,384,000 | £11,000,000 | 186 | 23 December 2025 |
| 31 March 2024 | £10,079,000 | £10,841,000 | 186 | 23 December 2024 |
| 31 March 2023 | £10,315,000 | £10,950,000 | 186 | 21 December 2023 |
| 31 March 2022 | £9,384,000 | £10,212,000 | 186 | 30 November 2022 |
| 31 March 2021 | £10,350,000 | £10,310,000 | 186 | 12 October 2021 |
Figures are those reported by the charity and supplied in the OSCR bulk download. Blank facts remain distinct from zero.
04 Contact record
Principal office or trustees address
- Address supplied to OSCR
- Dunbeg, Oban, Argyll
- Website supplied to OSCR
- www.sams.ac.uk
- Parent charity
- Not supplied
No direct external links on this profile. The official OSCR record and source documentation are available through BritDB’s dedicated source page.
05 Provenance
Source for this profile
© Crown Copyright and database right 2026. Contains information from the Scottish Charity Register supplied by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. BritDB is an independent service and does not claim to be the Scottish Charity Register.