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.
Professor of Marine Biology, University of Plymouth, UK and Japan
Expertise
Ostrea edulis, Crassostrea gigas
Aquaculture, Ecosystem Service Quantification, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Public Outreach
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.
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, Greece, Greece
Expertise
Ostrea edulis, Other Bivalve Species
Aquaculture, Disease, Genetics, Invasive Species
I am an Assistant Professor of Animal Genetics in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, Greece. My research interest and expertise includes, inter alia, molecular genetics and genomics of bivalve species, with a particular focus on population biology, detection of bivalve pathogens and new invasive parasites, bivalve physiology, and development and / or application of molecular markers for the discrimination of closely related species in the context of traceability issues. Effects of climate change on the general ecology of bivalves fall under my research interests as well. Finally, all aspects of aquaculture are also among my research interests.
Senior scientist, Institute of Marine Research, Norway
Expertise
Ostrea edulis, Crassostrea gigas, Other Bivalve Species
Aquaculture, Disease, Historical Ecology, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Public Outreach
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.
Estuarine ecologist, Retired Wageningen Marine Research, The Netherlands
Expertise
Ostrea edulis, Crassostrea gigas, Other Bivalve Species
Ecosystem Service Quantification, Historical Ecology, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Site Selection
Worked in WaddenSea for 40 years on many aspects of ecology. Much on impacts on mussel and cockle. Studied natural development of introduced Pacific Oyster and recovery of mussel beds in impacted areas. Monitored specific mussel beds for more than 25 years. Contributed to the birth of quantifying Environmental services in 1978. Much interest and experience in ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management)
Assistant Professor, DEPT OF ANIMAL PRODUCTION, FISHERIES & AQUACULTURE, Greece
Expertise
Ostrea edulis, Other Bivalve Species
Aquaculture, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Seed Production, Site Selection
John A. Theodorou is a Shellfish Biologist (MSc University of Wales at Bangor, UK) specialized in Aquaculture and the Fisheries Product Quality Management & Marketing (Hull University, UK). His Ph.D. thesis referred to the Risk Analysis of the Mediterranean mussel farming (Ph.D. Gent University, Belgium). He has 20 years of hands-on experience in mussel farming and contributed to over 30 industrial and academic projects. As an expert, he contributed to the development of the FAO-GFCM Shellfish Demonstrative Centre in the Black Sea (2018). He coordinates 3 ongoing projects related to the: effects of the pearl oysters (i) and ascidians (ii) in shellfish activities and the (iii) use of aquaculture techniques for population recovery of the endangered Pinna nobilis. He is served as Assistant Professor in the School of Animal Production, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Patras University, Greece. He published 22 research papers and contributed to 13 book chapters of concerned actions.
Senior Lecturer in Ecology, School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, United Kingdom
Expertise
Ostrea edulis, Crassostrea gigas, Other Bivalve Species
Aquaculture, Invasive Species, Monitoring, Oyster Habitat Restoration, Site Selection
Project affiliation
ENORI
I am an applied ecologist working in marine and freshwater habitats to understand the consequences of individual variation in behaviour, survival, growth and reproduction of organisms in a population, community and evolution context. A great deal of the research in my group at Essex is on shellfish and fish including aquaculture and wild fisheries, and restoration and recovery of fish and shellfish stocks and habitats. At Essex we work from individual physiological responses of shellfish in our marine laboratories to the ecology of on bed mariculture and fisheries at multiple spatial scales. We work closely with oyster producers in Essex and beyond to deliver sustainable and profitable businesses and food security from the blue growth sector. Beyond shellfish and fish our group also works on saltmarshes, coastal marshes, mudflat and seagrass beds from microbial ecosystem functions to carbon capture and all services in between.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
