Dr. Rachel Millar

Marine Conversation Officer, Ulster Wildlife Trust, UK

Expertise

Ostrea edulis
Biosecurity, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Public Outreach, Site Selection

Project affiliation

NONI - Native Oyster Restoration in Northern Ireland

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Dr. Patrick Joyce

Postdoctoral Fellow, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Expertise

Ostrea edulis, Crassostrea gigas, Other Bivalve Species
Biosecurity, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Site Selection

I am interested in how the physical environment affects whole organism responses and species interactions. My work involves bivalves in general, as well as other species that frequently occur within bivalve beds. I have previously been involved with research involving ecological impacts and invasion success of the Pacific oyster, as well as documenting flat oyster population recovery. I am also interested in documenting how environmental conditions affect the population develop of bivalve populations.

E-Mail: patrickjoyce@cuhk.edu.hk
Web: paddy-joyce.netlify.app

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Dr. David Smyth

Science Officer, Bangor University Wales, United Kingdom

Expertise

Ostrea edulis, Crassostrea gigas, Other Bivalve Species
Aquaculture, Biosecurity, Disease, Ecosystem Service Quantification, Historical Ecology, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Public Outreach, Seed Production, Site Selection

Project affiliation

NONI Native Oysters Northern Ireland, Ulster Wildlife Trust Blue Carbon Habitats Shellfish Beds

I'am currently employed as a Science Officer with the Shellfish Centre Wales based at Bangor University. I have worked with native oyster population dynamics for more than 20 years. My particular expertise is the passive / benign approach to bivalve restoration. I have extensive experience in establishing, monitoring and augmenting both subtidal and intertidal native oyster, pearl oyster and horse mussel populations. I' am a predictive population modeler of invasive bivalve species, with Magallana gigas and Pinctada radiata species of interest. I'am currently working on the DAERA funded; Native Oysters Northern Ireland project (NONI) and the Ulster Wildlife Trust Blue Carbon Habitats project. I, am also connected with the Zoological Society of London "Wild Oysters" restoration hub at the Conwy Estuary Wales.

E-Mail: d.smyth@bangor.ac.uk

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Mr Forrest Petersen

Oyster Hatchery Consultant, Orkney Shellfish Hatchery, United Kingdom

Expertise

Ostrea edulis
Aquaculture, Biosecurity, Seed Production, Oyster Supplier (Hatchery)

Our goal at OSH is to provide disease free O. edulis spat of the highest quality for habitat restoration and grow out purposes. We utilise high intensity influent and effluent sterilisation as well as a number of RASs and novel spawning and setting systems to achieve high levels of biosecurity.

E-Mail: forrest.petersen@csfbvi.com
Web: www.orkneyshellfishhatchery.co.uk

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Mr Iain Ross

Managing Director, The Native Oyster & Shellfish Company Ltd, Scotland

Expertise

Ostrea edulis, Crassostrea gigas
Aquaculture, Biosecurity, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Site Selection, Oyster Supplier (Grow-out)

Project affiliation

Glenmorangie DEEP

We produce Ostrea edulis for both the table and restoration market on our disease free farm in Wester Ross, Scotland. We have been involved in the on growing of the 'Native' since we started the farm and as a result have a great respect for this little creature and appreciate the challanges involved in their cultivation. We are a key supply chain partner of the Glenmorangie DEEP project and are working closely with that project to deliver significant volumes of part grown stock for relaying in the Dornoch Firth. We are also greatly interested in preservation of existing wild Scottish population and are working with others to identify, protect and enhance these.

E-Mail: info@maorachbeag.scot
Web: https://scottishshellfishcompany.com/

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Alison Debney

Programme Lead, Ecosystem Restoration, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), United Kingdom

Expertise

Ostrea edulis
Aquaculture, Biosecurity, Historical Ecology, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Public Outreach, Site Selection

Project affiliation

Essex Native Oyster Restoration Initiative, Wild Oyster, Native Oyster Network - UK & Ireland

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Mr Hein Sas

Owner, Sas Consultancy, Nederland

Expertise

Ostrea edulis
Biosecurity, Disease, Historical Ecology, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Public Outreach, Seed Production, Site Selection

Project affiliation

All Dutch native oyster retoration projects, in one way or the other

As one of the initiators of native oyster restoration in Dutch waters, I am currently functioning as an informal network coordinator, operating between the various restoration projects and related organisations. With the purpose of stimulating cooperation and exchange of information, in order to speed up the learning curve we have to go through. As member of the NORA Advisory Board I also attempt to stimulate cross-border cooperation and information exchange at a European level.

E-Mail: hsas@xs4all.nl

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Ms Monica Fabra

PhD researcher, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Expertise

Ostrea edulis, Other Bivalve Species
Aquaculture, Biosecurity, Disease, Genetics, Invasive Species, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Seed Production, Oyster Supplier (Hatchery)

Project affiliation

Solent Oyster Restoration Project

I am a marine biologist, specialised in Marine Ecology, currently PhD student at the Institute of Marine Sciences of Portsmouth (University of Portsmouth, UK). My research involves the hatchery production of the native oyster O.edulis as spat-on-shell for restoration in the Solent. I am investigating the genetic implications surrounding the employment of locally adapted broodstock from disease-affected areas, for the hatchery production of native oyster seed for restoration purposes, monitoring the genetic diversity and potential disease-resistance during the whole production process. I am also investigating the mechanisms of competitive exclusion of C. fornicata, assessing the factors responsible for the inhibition of O. edulis natural recruitment in the Solent. During my most recent work experience, I've been running an aquarium based experiment to investigate the role of microplastics as pathogen vectors. All my previous experiences include projects related to the biodiversity and conservation fields of study.

E-Mail: monica.fabra@port.ac.uk

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Expert Photo

Dr. Andrew Woolmer

Marine Ecologist / Oyster Farmer, Atlantic Edge Oysters (Tethys Oysters Ltd), UK

Expertise

Ostrea edulis, Crassostrea gigas
Aquaculture, Biosecurity, Invasive Species, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Seed Production, Site Selection, Oyster Supplier (Grow-out, Spatting Pond)

Project affiliation

Mumbles Oyster Restoration Project, Welsh Native Oyster Restoration Project

A marine biologist with long history in oyster restoration and wild fisheries management. He developed and run a successful restoration project in Swansea Bay (Wales) which has reported early indications of spill over and recruitment. An advisor to UK Government agencies he has recently produced a number of advice documents and strategy reports. He is currently involved in restoration projects in Wales and Cornwall and has advised on a number of similar projects across the UK. Most recently he has developed a commercial oyster farm in Pembrokeshire which grows Ostrea edulis for restoration alongside a commercial crop of Crassostrea gigas to support the activity. The next step is development of spatting ponds to produce cost-effective native oyster seed.

E-Mail: andy@atlanticedgeoysters.co.uk
Web: www.atlanticedgeoysters.co.uk

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Dr. William Sanderson

MASTS Reader / Associate Professor, Hariot-Watt University, UK

Expertise

Ostrea edulis, Other Bivalve Species
Biosecurity, Disease, Ecosystem Service Quantification, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Public Outreach, Seed Production, Site Selection

Project affiliation

Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project

Societal benefits, restoration, ecology, biodiversity & monitoring of: 1. Shellfish reefs, 2. Marine Protected Areas 3. Priority habitats of nature conservation importance, The win-win between biodiversity conservation, ecosystem function and marine development Biodiversity mapping and management in Marine Spatial Planning Sustainable development and habitat use by species of high biodiversity conservation importance

E-Mail: w.g.sanderson@hw.ac.uk
Web: https://researchportal.hw.ac.uk/en/persons/william-sanderson

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Mr Matthew Uttley

Essex Native Oyster Restoration Initiative Project Manager, Blue Marine Foundation, GB

Expertise

Ostrea edulis
Biosecurity, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Public Outreach

Project affiliation

Essex Native Oyster Restoration Initiative (ENORI)

My primary focus is on the delivery of physical restoration of native oyster populations and habitat. In managing the ENORI project I have developed a broad knowledge of all things oysters. Key considerations and particular interests within our habitat restoration work include supply and type of cultch, biosecurity, monitoring and delivery of public outreach. I have a mixed disciplinary background, I have completed research projects and have spent time working within the bivalve aquaculture industry.

E-Mail: matt@bluemarinefoundation.com
Web: https://essexnativeoyster.com/

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Dr. Luke Helmer

Scientific Officer, Blue Marine Foundation / University of Portsmouth / University of Southampton, United Kingdom

Expertise

Ostrea edulis, Crassostrea gigas
Aquaculture, Biosecurity, Disease, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Public Outreach, Seed Production, Site Selection

Project affiliation

Solent Oyster Restoration Project / The Wild Oysters Project

Primarily focused on providing a strong scientific foundation for the Solent Oyster Restoration Project, my intrests are broad as there are many issues to consider within our system. My previous research has involved invasive species, restoration aquaculture systems, disease and associated biodiversity. More recently we have been working on scaling up reef restoration and I have been encouraging the movement towards integrated ecosystem restoration (Oysters, Saltmarsh, Seagrass and Kelp). Outreach, communication and engement with a range of audiences is also something that I keen to develop across Europe following our successful activities in the UK.

E-Mail: luke@bluemarinefoundation.com
Web: https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/projects/solent/

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Dr. Philine zu Ermgassen

Secretariat, NORA Native Oyster Restoration Alliance, Germany/ United Kingdom

Expertise

Ostrea edulis
Biosecurity, Ecosystem Service Quantification, Historical Ecology, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration

Project affiliation

Essex Native Oyster Initiative

I have > ten years experience in native oyster restoration, ecosystem service quantification and historical ecology in the USA, Australia and Europe. I have worked with NORA to develop Biosecurity Guidelines, having undertaken my PhD on aquatic invasive species at the University to Cambridge. I was a contributing author to the "Oyster Habitat Restoration Monitoring and Assessment Handbook" (2014) and author and editor of the "Restoration Guidelines for Shellfish Reefs" (2019) and the "European Native Oyster Habitat Restoration Handbook, UK and Ireland" (2020) and therefore have broad, high-level experience of oyster restoration. I am also a longstanding member of the Essex Native Oyster Restoration Initiative, and have provided project-level advice for several native oyster projects throughout the UK.

E-Mail: secretariat@noraeurope.eu

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Dr. Joanne Preston

Reader in Marine Ecology & Evolution, University of Porstmouth, United Kingdom

Expertise

Ostrea edulis
Biosecurity, Disease, Ecosystem Service Quantification, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Seed Production, Site Selection

Project affiliation

Solent Oyster Restoration Project, Native Oyster Network

My conversation priority is the interconnected restoration of coastal habitats, particularly oyster reefs, seagrass and saltmarsh. My research is focused on the ecology of these species and habitats, and thier interactions with environmental pressures such as climate change, microplastics, disease, invasive species and excessive nutrients (eutrophication). I am also intersted in host-pathogen interactions in filter-feeders, and genetic adaptations and diversity of the native oyster. In 2017 I founded the UK and Ireland Native Oyster Restoration Network in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London, which aims to catalyse a national approach to oyster habitat restoration via action, communication and providing evidence for policy change. I'm an advisory board member for the European Native Oyster Restoration Alliance and a founding member of the Solent Oyster Restoration Project team, led by Blue Marine Foundation, for which I act as an technical and scientific advisor alongside active restoration practice.

E-Mail: joanne.preston@port.ac.uk
Web: https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/joanne-preston

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Dr. Boze Hancock

Senior Marine Habitat Restoration Scientist, The Nature Conservancy, United States

Expertise

Ostrea edulis
Aquaculture, Biosecurity, Disease, Ecosystem Service Quantification, Genetics, Historical Ecology, Monitoring, Site Selection

Developing the science, networks and communication to allow the scale-up of shellfish reef restoration to address habitat destruction on an ecologically meaningful scale. This includes developing the primary science to support restoration and quantifying the ecosystem services provided by the restored habitat, translating that science into formats accessible to a variety of practitioners and facilitating knowledge exchange across a range of projects, geographies and taxa.

E-Mail: BHANCOCK@TNC.ORG

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Dr. Åsa Strand

Senior researcher, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Sweden

Expertise

Ostrea edulis, Crassostrea gigas
Aquaculture, Biosecurity, Ecosystem Service Quantification, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Seed Production

Project affiliation

IVL

Sustainable use of bivalve populations with special emphasis on management of native and non-native bivalves and aquaculture. More specifically in aquaculture: semi-intensive and extensive seed production of oysters and mussels and developmen of new protocols and techniques for grow out. restoration efforts. More specifically in management: interactions between native and non-native species, ecosystem services, management of invasive species and monitoring of native species. Strong focus on applied aspects and research-industry collaboration.

E-Mail: asa.strand@ivl.se
Web: https://www.ivl.se/sidor/vara-omraden/vatten/vatten-i-ekosystem/forvaltning-av-marina-ekosystem.html

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