Category Archives: Policy
Implementing the MSFD in Europe – an OSPAR COBAM workshop
In May I attended the OSPAR Intersessional Correspondence Group for Coordinated Biodiversity and Monitoring (COBAM) workshop in Marseille, France. OSPAR COBAM is responsible for leading development and operationalisation of indicators for marine pelagic biodiversity in Europe. The workshop focused on … Continue reading
A funded plankton PhD opportunity at Plymouth!
Update: Applications are now open for the PhD studentship! Apply here! A competitive, funded PhDship with me has just been advertised at Plymouth University. Applications close on 5 May and the student will start this autumn. Please forward this on to any bright students … Continue reading
Reflections on the science-policy interface
As a first year PhD student in Plymouth University’s Plankton and Policy research group, I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop run by OSPAR, about the integration of different biodiversity indicators into holistic ecosystem assessments. The workshop was part … Continue reading
Plankton and Policy at Challenger 2016
The Challenger Society for Marine Science is the UK’s largest marine learned society. Challenger supports marine students and early career researchers through grants and training opportunities. Challenger 2016, the biannual Challenger Society for Marine Science conference was held in Liverpool … Continue reading
Time-series datasets are crucial to delivering Good Environmental Status
We are on a mission in Europe to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) for our seas (Who cares about the MSFD?). As with many marine policy or conservation efforts, good data are critical to success. When it comes to GES, … Continue reading
Two funded plankton PhD opportunities at Plymouth University!
UPDATE (6 August 2015): The application process is open! Click on the project titles here for application instructions. Please contact me if you’d like to discuss in more detail. Good luck! Two competitive, funded PhDships with me are about … Continue reading
Force majeure: Will climate change prevent Good Environmental Status in pelagic communities?
North Atlantic marine species are responding to climate change in multiple ways including changes in species distributions (bioegeographical shifts), community composition and alterations to seasonal cycles. Plankton, with their short lifespans and sensitivity to their surroundings, are particularly responsive to … Continue reading
Who cares about the Marine Strategy Framework Directive?
Europe’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is the most important piece of marine legislation that you have never heard of (unless you’re interested marine conservation). More encompassing than the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, which is often cited in the news … Continue reading
UK House of Lords: Regional cooperation key to managing North Sea marine environment
The UK House of Lords has declared the North Sea marine environment under ‘severe pressure’ from human activity and blue growth development. The North Sea urgently requires conservation measures to reduce biodiversity loss from these pressures and protect North Sea … Continue reading
The end of the line for bluefin?
As a vegetarian, I am obsessed interested in the conflict between eating something because it tastes good and knowing that animals suffer due to to cruel farming practices, species are harvested by environmentally devastating means, or a food species is … Continue reading