INSITE North Sea

Episode 01 Marine Biodiversity

In February we were joined for a webinar by panelists:

• Professor Joanne Porter (Heriot-Watt University)
• Dr Tom Wilding (Scottish Association of Marine Science)
• Dr Paul Somerfield (Plymouth Marine Laboratory)

with some reflections by Victoria Metheringham (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and a discussion session hosted by Professor Dickon Howell (Howell Marine Consulting)

Episode 02 Environmental Restoration and Net Gain

A closer look at how ecosystem services and functions potentially provided by marine species associated with man-made structures may contribute to environmental restoration, and explored opportunities for better understanding of ‘Net Gain’ at sea. In April we enjoyed a discussion with panelists:

• Dr Stephen Watson (Plymouth Marine Laboratory)
• Professor David Peterson (University of St Andrews)
• Professor Joanne Porter (Heriot-Watt University),

with some reflections by a policy/evidence specialist from His Majesty’s Government and a discussion session hosted by Dr Henk van Rein (Howell Marine Consulting).

Episode 03 Offshore Wind

Examining the third impact theme on the 25th May, we focussed our discussion on ‘Offshore wind deployment’ and uncovering how our understanding of fish aggregation, ecological effects of offshore development and related connectivity of marine species associated with man-made structures may be considered alongside the deployment of the UKs offshore wind network. We enjoyed a panel discussion with:

• Professor Paul Fernandes (Heriot-Watt University)
• Dr Debbie Russell (University of St Andrews)
• Dr Krysia Mazik (University of Hull)

with some reflections from Cassie Rist, Defra and a discussion session hosted by Professor Dickon Howell (Howell Marine Consulting).

Episode 04 Cumulative Effects Assessment

‘Cumulative effects assessment’ uncovers how our understanding of multiple actors on the marine environment is important in considering the effects of man-made structures. With insights from:

• Dr Krysia Mazik (University of Hull)
• Dr Antony Knights (University of Plymouth)
• Dr Eoin O’Gorman (University of Essex)

with some reflections by Dr Aisling Lannin from the Marine Management Organisation and a discussion session hosted by Dr Henk van Rein (Howell Marine Consulting).

Episode 05 Commercial Fishing

'Commercial fishing’ uncovers how our understanding of fish populations in the marine environment interact with man-made structures, exploring the implications for commercial fisheries and wider marine management. Look forward to insights from:

• Professor Paul Fernandes (Heriot-Watt University)
• Dr Natalie Hicks (University of Essex)
• Dr Serena Wright (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science)

with some reflections by Dr Rob Cook from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and a discussion session hosted by Dr Henk van Rein (Howell Marine Consulting).

Episode 06 Marine Monitoring

This Marine Monitoring episode uncovers how INSITEs research teams are pushing the boundaries of offshore monitoring through their application and testing of innovative molecular, field and image analysis techniques using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence and eDNA. with insights from

• Dr Natalie Hicks (University of Essex)
• Professor Dan Jones (National Oceanography Centre)
• Dr Tom Wilding (Scottish Association of Marine Science)
• VIcki Castro-Spokes (Defra)

and discussion session hosted by Dr Henk van Rein (Howell Marine Consulting).