Experts - Aquaculture

Marine biologist specialising in bivalve physiology and histopathology, with applied experience in aquaculture and restoration. I completed my PhD in 2024 at the University of the Basque Country, studying growth phenotypes and physiological responses in mussels and Pacific oysters. My training includes international research experience, notably at the Cawthron Institute in Aotearoa New Zealand, where I worked alongside hatchery and seed-production experts and carried out experimental research with Pacific oysters — experience that has shaped both my scientific focus and my wider professional journey. I also have experience in algae cultivation, as well as field-based monitoring of bivalve populations. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Mar Menor Oyster Initiative, applying physiological and histological approaches to support Ostrea edulis restoration in the Mar Menor lagoon. I’m keen to contribute to, and learn from, the NORA network to help advance effective native oyster restoration across Europe.

E-Mail: maitane.perez@ehu.eus

E-Mail: sebastian.hernandis@ieo.csic.es

I am a PhD student at the Oceanographic Centre of Murcia (IEO-CSIC) in Spain, working on the restoration of Ostrea edulis in the Mar Menor as part of the Mar Menor Oyster Initiative (MMOI). My academic and personal interests are deeply rooted in marine ecosystem restoration, particularly in how native oyster beds can support biodiversity, improve water quality, and provide resilience to coastal environments. I am especially drawn to NORA as a collaborative platform that connects researchers and practitioners across Europe, fostering knowledge exchange and best practices. Being part of the network would allow me to learn from other restoration projects, contribute insights from our Mediterranean case study, and grow as an early-career scientist committed to nature-based solutions and long-term ecological recovery.

E-Mail: silvia.sanchez.segarra@ieo.csic.es

I specialize in oyster culture, industry trends, and consumer education, with a focus on branding, marketing, and content strategy for aquaculture businesses. With a background in seafood marketing and a deep understanding of the global oyster trade, I analyze market positioning, competitive dynamics, and consumer perception to help businesses differentiate and grow. My expertise spans storytelling, sustainability discussions, and the evolving role of oysters in gastronomy. As the founder of In A Half Shell, I engage with oyster farmers, chefs, and industry leaders to explore best practices, emerging trends, and market opportunities. I also develop educational programs and lead discussions on oyster appreciation, service excellence, and industry innovation. Passionate about bridging the gap between producers and consumers, I provide strategic insights that elevate brand narratives and expand market reach. My work blends investigative analysis with engaging storytelling to enhance awareness and appreciation of oysters worldwide.

E-Mail: julie@oystermasterguild.com
Web: https://www.oystermasterguild.com

Have been working with ostrea edulis, since 2009. Producing flat oysters spat. Also been working with restoration with WWF in the Netherlands.

E-Mail: persson@scalmarin.com
Web: Spatmarin.com

Martin's activity is focused on the development and execution of small to large scale marine ecosystem restoration projects, in partnership with scientific institutes, local institutions and local stakeholders. He is currently leading the demonstration work of the European project Climarest relative to native oyster restoration in France, and takes part in other projects as member of their technical and scientific committee. In partnership with Ifremer, he works to convert knowledge on restoration ecology to operational ecological restoration. With special emphasis on upscaling, he contributes to the evaluation of ecosystem services resulting from large scale restoration of native oyster reefs and develops new projects using native oyster restoration as a nature based solution for erosion control, improvement of water quality and conservation of biodiversity. He also works on the restoration of other marine habitats such as seagrass beds and seeks to develop more systemic restoration projects.

E-Mail: martin.perrot@seaboost.fr
Web: www.seaboost.fr

Within Jan De Nul, we use in-house expertise to protect or enhance ecosystems and use natural resources in a sustainable manner during the development and execution of our projects. As part of the Marine Environmental Department (Mared), I work on multiple projects where a positive impact on the biodiversity is significant scope within the project. Offshore projects as energy islands, wind farms or cable projects have potential to add a certain positive impact on the biodiversity via restoration programs and the use of nature-based solutions. Continuous learning on the best restoration methods is my main interest. This goes from best seeding techniques to efficient installation and long-term monitoring.

E-Mail: simon.petit@jandenul.com
Web: https://www.jandenul.com/nl

Le Paysan Marin is a French NGO focusing on the promotion of regenerative aquaculture and active marine and coastal biodiversity restoration through engineer species such as ostrea edulis both on the French Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. As French representatives of the Baltic based regenerative aquaculture Cool Blue Future platform, we look forward to pushing forward European funded pilot projects in the coming year. We have started online and offline public outreach activities named "Oysters to save the World" where we present bivalves, oyster farming and most importantly ecosystem and environmental services provided by oyster reefs. Part of several blue economy initiatives and consultancy networks, we look forward joining NORA, making meaningful connections and contribute to the best of our abilities to the pan-European momentum build-up around Native Oysters restoration efforts wherever possible, adapted, and necessary.

E-Mail: tristan@lepaysanmarin.fr
Web: www.lepaysanmarin.fr

The Galway Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project is a community, state, and scientific institution led initiative that aims to restore the native oyster (Ostrea edulis) populations that once existed in huge quantities in Galway Bay. Our goals are to: restore native oyster habitats through strategic cultch deployment to promote larval settlement, identify distribution of critical habitat for native oyster including modelling of temperature and salinity, develop spatial management of fisheries that will include closed areas for oyster reef development, gain a more in-depth knowledge of native oyster habitat restoration through practical research, monitor prevalence of Bonamia, and improve coastal water quality in Galway Bay by fostering a community understanding that land based activities have immediate impacts on coastal water quality. All aspects of these goals are ongoing and we have successfully developed Native Oyster reefs in Galway Bay. The project is funded by EMFAF Marine Biodiversity & Marine Knowledge Scheme.

E-Mail: mofficer@cuanbeo.com
Web: cuanbeo.com

My interest related to native oyster is in development and implementation of methods for upscaling oyster reef restoration to an ecologically meaningful level. I have a background in marine ecology and conservation science, and have in the past been involved in research projects in shellfish aquaculture and flatfish fisheries, and more recently in nature-inclusive design and habitat restoration projects. At Van Oord we are involved in various native oyster restoration and nature-inclusive design initiatives in the North Sea, which have led to the development of new techniques for introducing oysters and creating suitable habitat conditions.

E-Mail: wouter.vanbroekhoven@vanoord.com
Web: https://www.vanoord.com/en/

Manifesting an eco-social society and dynamic delta culture through design projects, research and collaboration with Delta Workers and Bio Builders. #coproduction #empathic-field-resaerch #reefbuilding #participation #hands-on #inter-esse

E-Mail: info@estervandewiel.nl
Web: www.zee-plaats-werk-land.nl

Manifesting an eco-social society and dynamic delta culture through design projects, research and collaboration with Delta Workers and Bio Builders. Current focus on Dutch Delta region. Seaweedfarmer as a side job. #coproduction #empathic-field-resaerch #reefbuilding #participation #hands-on #inter-esse

E-Mail: mail@joostadriaanse.nl
Web: www.zee-plaats-werk-land.nl

I have more than 10 years of experience in studies of invertebrate species, particular focus on oyster species with the perspective of aquaculture and environmental research. I have experience in invertebrate hatchery techniques, from broodstock conditioning to reproduction, larval and post-larval culture, as well as in farming techniques in lagoons, estuaries and marine environments. Experience in monitoring natural populations of invertebrate species, with the aim to preserve the stock or in the context of restocking activities.

E-Mail: g.brundu@fondazioneimc.it
Web: https://www.fondazioneimc.it/en/

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

We have been growing Ostrea edulis for years now in Croatia to be sold as fresh to the restaurants and directly to final customers. We are very interested in keeping our growing location disease free and to work on projects that will improve the biology and technology of growing flat oysters. At the moment we collect our spat from the wild on collectors but would like to get access to a hatchery or to build our own in the near future.

E-Mail: matija@platforma22.hr
Web: www.dalmatiaseafood.com

I have almost 30 years of experience in studies of marine bivalves, both from the perspective of their aquaculture and from their use in environmental research. I have extensive experience in bivalve culture techniques from broodstock, larval culture and seed, as well as in the assessment of physiological rates that integrate the energy balance in order to estimate their energy potential or SFG (scope for growth). I have also been interested in the nutritional requirements and digestive biochemistry of different species of bivalves, mainly during growing, in order to develop alternative diets. I have been involved in pollution and toxicological studies using bivalves as biomonitors and species model. Actually, I am promoting, together with almost 20 scientists from different disciplines, the recovery of the environmental quality of the Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain), severely affected by eutrophication, by the restoration of the flat oyster beds.

E-Mail: marina.albentosa@ieo.es
Web: http://www.ieo.es:8080/es_ES/web/murcia/historia

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

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/

E-Mail: alison.debney@zsl.org
Web: www.zsl.org

I have worked with spatting ponds for 8 years and have found it works really good for flat oyster production and spat on shell for bottom culture production I am interested in spatting ponds and bottom culture and ways to improve that Restauration is in my view bottomculture without harvest, so my experience would translate very well for that.

E-Mail: jn@aquamind.dk
Web: www.aquamind.dk

I work on the effects of ocean acidification and warming on oysters and other aquaculture species, as well as on biogenic habitats and marine invasive species. This research is mainly based in the NE Atlantic, the Mediterranean, China and Japan. I am President of the British Phycological Society with an interest in how the movement of oysters can present biosecurity challenges as well as major ecosystem benefits.

E-Mail: jhall-spencer@plymouth.ac.uk
Web: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/jason-hall-spencer

E-Mail: afrankic@gmail.com
Web: www.umb.edu/GHP

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

Bivalve hatchery operator and oyster farming specialist, currently supplying Native oyster seed to aquaculture operators and restoration projects alike.

E-Mail: info@morecambebayoysters.co.uk

E-Mail: Sylvie.Lapegue@ifremer.fr
Web: http://annuaire.ifremer.fr/cv/16212/

I'm a marine ecologist and scientific diver studying the ecological functioning of marine habitats of high biodiversity, especially biogenic habitats formed by shellfish, the effects of anthropogenic impacts and the development of novel approaches for impact amelioration and ecological restoration. I have expertise in the aquaculture of biogenic reef forming bivalves (oysters, horse mussels) with the purpose of ecological restoration, site selection of restoration and translocation and monitoring of success using biodiversity of the associated community, survival and recruitment as metrics. In the past I have worked in several shellfish restoration projects such as the Modiolus Restoration Plan in Strangford Lough (Northern Ireland), monitoring condition and recovery in horse mussel Modiolus modiolus populations following restoration, and the Dornoch Firth Environmental Enhancement Project (DEEP) in Scotland for the reintroduction of the native oyster Ostrea edulis, largely working on site selection and historical ecology.

E-Mail: josemaria.farinas-franco@gmit.ie

E-Mail: abratos@unidu.hr

Stéphane is a marine biologist, working at Ifremer near Brest, in France. His current research is focused on the ecology and ecophysiology of temperate marines bivalves especially the flat oyster, the pacific oyster, but also the pectinids (Black and Great scallops). In another life during his PhD, he has also worked on the pearl oyster ecology in French Polynesia. Most of his projects is connected with conservation, restoration, aquaculture & fisheries. He is in charge of a national long term monitoring program on the pacific oyster reproduction (VELYGER) and a regional project on the flat oyster ecology & restoration (FOREVER). He is also involved in a new project on the black scallop ecology (MASCOET). Locally, Stéphane co-animates a regional research site (ZABRI) in relation with the International Long Term Ecological Research Network (ILTER). He is also a scientific diver and cannot conceive his work without going regularly at field !

E-Mail: Stephane.Pouvreau@Ifremer.fr
Web: https://www-iuem.univ-brest.fr/lemar/?lang=en

ARC Marine specialises in accelerating reef creation of damaged marine ecosystems. We develop innovative marine solutions utilising our Reef Cube technology that incorporate a nature inclusive design to habitat creation/restoration in the aquaculture, coastal defense, renewable energy and sub sea asset protection. Reef systems, including biogenic reefs, are some of the most productive and biologically diverse systems on earth and the more we can restore/create the better the benefits for us all. I oversee all our day to day operations of our projects and I have a keen interest in diving (both commercial and recreational) and with restoring as many habitats as possible to aid our vision of creating healthy, productive seas once again. Having been involved in various marine monitoring and ecological enhancement projects between the UK and Asia i am passionate in the belief that the creation of healthy marine habitats will be accomplished.

E-Mail: james.murphy@arcmarine.co.uk
Web: www.arcmarine.co.uk