CHART Cymru is a recreational sports fishery and scientific data collection programme for Atlantic bluefin tuna in Welsh waters established in 2022.
The programme design built upon a similar project undertaken in England in 2021 and 2022 and comprised a collaboration between governmental, scientific and fisheries stakeholders, with operational delivery by Swansea University and Welsh Governments Marine and Fisheries Division (WGMFD). The UK Bluefin Tuna Association (UKBFTA) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) supported training, providing materials from the English CHART programme, and delivering key elements. |
Working with local fishermen, we will explore the population structure and stock status of Atlantic herring around the Welsh coast. Funding will facilitate sampling, and development of a natal stock characterisation baseline to identify natal origin of samples in mixed fisheries and better understand fishery impact and migration pathways. Newly developed genomic tools will be employed in addition to morphometric sampling. This will fill knowledge gaps, underpin future stock management, and identify potential new sustainable fishing opportunities for coastal communities.
|
The SEACAMS2 Project is a project partnership between Bangor and Swansea universities, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund which is set to run until July 2021.
The main objective of SEACAMS2 is to assist the development of opportunities in Low carbon, Energy and Environment in the convergence regions of Wales, and is an investment in the potential offered by the marine economy and marine renewable energy. I am working across several sub-projects including herring stock assessments, sea trout tagging and alongside industrial partners such as Pembrokeshire Power Station and Frog Environmental.
The main objective of SEACAMS2 is to assist the development of opportunities in Low carbon, Energy and Environment in the convergence regions of Wales, and is an investment in the potential offered by the marine economy and marine renewable energy. I am working across several sub-projects including herring stock assessments, sea trout tagging and alongside industrial partners such as Pembrokeshire Power Station and Frog Environmental.
The BlueFish Project is an Ireland Wales Territorial Co-operation Operation for the Irish and Celtic Sea, focusing on cross border collaboration, climate change and community engagement.
Bringing together Bangor, Aberystwyth and Swansea Universities in Wales, the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and University College Cork in Ireland. BlueFish will develop knowledge and understanding of the marine resources of the Irish Sea and Celtic Seas by addressing knowledge gaps regarding the effects on and potential vulnerability of selected commercial fish and shellfish from predicted climate change.
Part-funded by the European Regional Development fund through the Ireland Wales Co-operation Programme 2014 – 2020. A cross-border programme investing in the overall economic, environmental and social well-being of Ireland and Wales.
Bringing together Bangor, Aberystwyth and Swansea Universities in Wales, the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and University College Cork in Ireland. BlueFish will develop knowledge and understanding of the marine resources of the Irish Sea and Celtic Seas by addressing knowledge gaps regarding the effects on and potential vulnerability of selected commercial fish and shellfish from predicted climate change.
Part-funded by the European Regional Development fund through the Ireland Wales Co-operation Programme 2014 – 2020. A cross-border programme investing in the overall economic, environmental and social well-being of Ireland and Wales.
Parasites and disease of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus): The role of habitat.
Working within the research group of Dra. Patricia Briones Fourzán at the Reef Systems Unit, Puerto Morelos. My research investigates the role of habitat in relation to parasites and disease of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus). The project is funded by Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PAPIIT, or Support Program for Research Projects and Technological Innovation in English).
Health survey of Lundy Island crustaceans - Integration of scientists and fishermen.
I am currently working on a project surrounding the Lundy Island Marine Reserve. Funded by SEAFISH, I began as a volunteer for a study in my department after graduating during the summer of 2011, which soon turned into my PhD. Over a two year period we surveyed the lobster and crab populations around Lundy Island, both inside and outside of the No Take Zone. Shell disease was observed and photographed and blood samples taken - which I am currently analysing.
I am particularly interested in Marine Protected Areas - they fascinate me in how they both benefit and hinder the marine environment - working alongside fishermen gives a new perspective on Marine Protected Areas, often being forgotten in the conservation conversation.
I am particularly interested in Marine Protected Areas - they fascinate me in how they both benefit and hinder the marine environment - working alongside fishermen gives a new perspective on Marine Protected Areas, often being forgotten in the conservation conversation.
Importation of live lobsters into the U.K. - An assessment of disease transfer to European lobsters.
I spent the first two years of my PhD working on this Marine Management Organisation Fisheries Challenge Fund Grant. This study was in collaboration with the New England Aquarium, Boston, USA - where I was lucky enough to travel to. The study allowed me to gain an insight into the link between pathology and fisheries science - how the diseases and parasites I study affect the population as a whole and the possible implications. This work resulted in two publications.
Shellfish productivity in the Irish Sea: working towards a sustainable future.
SUSFISH is a collaborative project between the Universities of Bangor, Aberystwyth, Cork and Swansea, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Programme 2007-13. My undergraduate dissertation project allowed me to work alongside Professor Andrew Frederick Rowley and his aquatic pathobiology team. I was asked to investigate the morphology of a parasite affecting European lobsters. Nicothoe astaci, or the 'lobster louse', as it is better known, has only been found to infect the European lobster, Homarus gammarus. Very little is known about this parasite, or the effect upon the host. I am currently exploring the host response, morphology and biology of this fascinating parasite.