ARCHIVE: Marine Protected Areas Science Advisory Panel

The announcement on 1 December 2009 of the creation of an independent Science Advisory Panel to assist the work to select Marine Conservation Zones was one of the first steps the Government took to implementing the provisions of Part 5 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act.

The appointment of the Panel represents a key milestone in the process of delivering a network of MPAs, as previously outlined in Selection and designation of Marine Conservation Zones (Draft Guidance Note 1) and in Delivering Marine Conservation Zones and European Marine Sites: A draft strategy for marine protected areas. The Government will be designating Marine Conservation Zones which will contribute to a UK network of marine protected areas.

The Science Advisory Panel is an independent body comprised of expert marine scientists, which has been established to support the four regional projects in the MCZ selection process by offering objective scientific assessment of site proposals, and independent advice to Ministers. Panel members have been drawn from a diverse range of marine scientific disciplines in order to ensure a balanced and comprehensive skill set. 

Meeting documents

The most recent minutes from each official meeting of the MPA Science Advisory Panel will be made available from this page.

Meet the Panel

Chairman: Dr Peter Ryder

A physicist who has worked primarily in the fields of operational meteorology, and oceanography, Dr Ryder is a former Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operations of the Met Office, where he spent most of his career. He has extensive experience in chairing executive and advisory committees.

The Panel members are:

Professor Juliet Brodie - Natural History Museum, London

Professor Brodie is a marine algae specialist, and she has extensive knowledge of the taxonomy, distribution and importance of algae and the activities which impact upon it. She has over 25 years experience as a marine scientist, and her work has included the identification of sites of importance for seaweed and other algae.

Professor Michael Elliott - University of Hull

Specialising in estuary and coastal science and management, Professor Elliott has worked for 35 years as a marine scientist. He has been involved in many initiatives in the marine field both in the UK and elsewhere during this time, providing advice to many organisations, agencies and government departments, particularly regarding the environmental effects of coastal and estuarine activities and the management of those impacts.

Dr. Jason Hall-Spencer - University of Plymouth

Dr Hall-Spencer is a lecturer in marine biology at the University of Plymouth, with a strong track record in providing input to the selection of MPAs, particularly in areas beyond 12 nautical miles from the coast. He also has personal experience of working on fishing vessels throughout Europe and a history of working within coastal communities.

Dr. Keith Hiscock - Marine Biological Association, Plymouth

Four decades of marine biological survey and of using science to support conservation have given Dr Hiscock a wealth of knowledge relevant to the work of the SAP. After leading programmes within the nature conservation agencies, he established the Marine Life Information Network at the Marine Biological Association in 1998 and is now an Associate Fellow there.

Professor Michel Kaiser - University of Bangor

Professor Kaiser has undertaken world-leading research to understand human impacts on the marine environment and the consequences of different management strategies. He has focussed on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture issues, and has held a number of influential positions, including chair of Defra’s Marine Fisheries Stakeholder Forum.

Professor Callum Roberts - University of York

Professor Roberts is well-recognised as one of the key scientific contributors to the film The End of the Line. He has extensive experience in the science and establishment of MPAs and networks around the world. He is author of The Unnatural History of the Sea, an account of the effects of 1000 years of fishing and hunting on marine life. He currently lectures at the University of York.

Dr. Beth Scott - University of Aberdeen

Dr. Scott’s academic career as a marine ecologist includes several years working onboard fishing vessels in Alaskan waters. Her research focuses on functional linkages between bio-physical oceanographic processes, flexible life history traits and population dynamics of fish and seabird species.  Her work is helping to identify critical marine habitats where predators and prey species interact.  

Professor Graham Underwood - University of Essex

Professor Underwood has research experience across a range of disciplines within the marine area, and he specialises in estuarine and coastal systems, especially the ecology and functioning of mudflats, sandflats and salt marshes. He is also a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s environment programme Home Planet.

Contacting the panel

Should you wish to contact the Panel, or find out more about it, please contact Claire Herdman, Secretariat to the Science Advisory Panel, on 01173 728320 or claire.herdman@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Page last modified: 01 October 2010