Ocean Hub Research Profile

1. What are my key research findings:
• Recognising the importance of protecting essential fish habitats from the effects of bottom fishing
activities as an important management measure for sustainable fisheries.
• Understanding the role of deep-sea biodiversity in supporting critical seabed functions (such as secondary
benthic production and storage of carbon).
• Recognising that size and age of sea-bed animals are good indicators of sea-bed disturbance.
• Realising the value of using conceptual ‘qualitative’ models in support of developing an ecosystem
approach to fisheries management.
What are my major concerns:
• Climate change impacts on the abundance, health and distribution of fish and fisheries in the oceans.
• Unsustainable development of human activities operating in or near the marine environment.
• Water quality issues affecting sensitive habitats and species.

2. How do you see yourself contributing to the hub and how do you think the
hub can help you in your work?
• Contribute by helping to define the scope of research activities under the
‘fisheries’ research programme for the Hub.
• Contribute by providing expertise and equipment in the assessment and
management of fish habitats, fish stocks and fisheries.
• Gain better understanding, development and application of transdisciplinary
science in relation to sustainable fisheries and the development of the
ecosystem approach.

3. Working with RIMF in Vietnam to
develop a roadmap for EAFM in 2018
Working with NAFO to protect deep sea VME and
manage fisheries as part of an ecosystem
approach in the NAFO Regulatory Area 2018