Research group lead: Professor Emma Sheehan

Over-exploitation of our oceans has degraded biogenic habitats. These habitats act as important nursery and feeding areas for species of conservation and fisheries importance, and provide important ecological and environmental functions including filtering water, binding sediments and capturing carbon.

Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and the Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECM) effect of offshore structures such as marine renewables, shipwrecks and offshore shellfish aquaculture, if managed to exclude destructive human practices, have the potential to restore the health and functionality of biogenic habitats.

To inspire and inform ambitious marine policy and management, the Applied Marine Ecosystems Research unit (aMER) works closely with regulators and utilises non-destructive techniques such as underwater video and acoustic telemetry to inform best management practices for species and habitats over large spatial and temporal scales.