I am an ecologist with more than 28 years of experience. The focus of my work has been centred on understanding the potential changes resulting from human activities on marine species and habitats. I am very familiar with domestic and international legislation for the protection of these important marine resources. Over many years, I have studied ecological effects on seabed ecosystems resulting from dredging, aggregate extraction, offshore windfarms, co-location and submerged cables and oil and gas (and direct effects of decommissioning of these man-made structures). My work has also considered the potential impacts of multiple-stressors (e.g. temperature, pH changes and metals) on commercial species (e.g. lobster, cockles, scallops and Queen conch) and the likely implications for food security and societies. This work has helped to generate new science as evidence of likely future effects to inform fisheries, helping and to monitor and improve the management of these species.
"The increasing level of human activities both on land and at sea are accelerating marine biodiversity loss globally. Therefore, it is even more pressing that we can manage human activities responsibly. This work has provided me with insights into not only what these impacts entail but, more importantly, how unwanted impacts can be mitigated and preferably, nullified while at the same time positive impacts can be enhanced. “Mitigating the bad and promoting the good” has been my mission."