Experts - Disease

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

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

Microbiologist, spesialization in bivalve health and disease transmission. Experience from projects on oyster, mussel and scallop aquaculture. Leading a National Reference Laboratory function on diagnostics of bivalve diseases in Norway and a healtth monitoring programme, including wild and farmed populations of flat oysters and mussels. Leading a Nordic collaborative network on Pacific oysters in Scandinavia, studying the spreading dynamics, mitigation as well as a potential exploration of Pacific oysters as a new resource. Also involved in public outreach through communication with stakeholders, including managers.

E-Mail: stein.mortensen@hi.no
Web: https://www.hi.no/hi

Atlantic Shellfish Ltd. has been breeding O. edulis since 1969, by using 22 breeding ponds in Cork Harbour, capable of producing 100 tonnes / year of marketable oysters. The ponds are used to produce spat, which are then grown and fattened in the North Channel of the harbour. The company mainly supplies the restaurant market, with fully grown, well graded oysters, packed to the customers need. Atlantic Shellfish also is running the Loch Ryan wild native oyster fishery in South West Scotland, which has a sustainable, natural production of O. edulis which is free from Bonamia. These are mostly harvested for the restaurant market also. The company has depuration tanks in London, and is able to supply the UK market overnight with O. edulis and C. gigas, along with exports from Heathrow.

E-Mail: tristan@oysters.co.uk
Web: www.rossmoreoysters.com

I have a PhD from the University of Barcelona obtained in 2010. My research background is in the ecology, biology, and pathology of benthic invertebrates, with a particular focus on the ecological role that filter-feeders, such as bivalves, play in the ecosystem. I have studied the role of bivalves in shaping coastal environments, e.g. mitigating the symptoms of eutrophication, reducing the occurrence of harmful and nuisance algal blooms, and restoring ecosystem functions. Also, I have investigated how the environment can affect the health and physiology of the invertebrates themselves including both immune and pathological studies. My research has provided valuable information for the management of aquaculture species, fisheries and natural resources, as well as for conservation and restoration purposes.

E-Mail: galimany@icm.csic.es

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

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

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/

I am working on mollusc diseases since 1986, mostly focused on solving problems of the shellfish industry caused by diseases. In the last 10 years, this research has been mostly devoted to perkinsosis of clams, bonamiosis of flat oysters, marteiliosis of cockles, summer mortality of Pacific oysters, mollusc cancer, mass mortality of Pinna nobilis and cultured mussel mortality.

E-Mail: antonio.villalba.garcia@xunta.gal

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

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