The Living Coasts visitor attraction in Torquay has opened a new exhibition called Floating Zoo.
Sponsored by Carl Zeiss, the new display and a range of supporting events will turn the spotlight on plankton.
The exhibition will include 34 blown up images taken of the euphotic zone - the water near the surface where there is enough sunlight for photosynthesis to occur - with supporting texts.
The images were produced by Richard Kirby, Royal Society research fellow at the Marine Biological Association.
In addition, the coastal zoo will be running daily half-term plankton workshops from each week and a range of 'half term plankton activities', including making nets and trawling for and identifying plankton.
Living Coasts events coordinator Kate Hall said: "This is nature as art. The images are stunning - and provide a great opportunity to show everyone just how amazing plankton is - and how important it is, too."
