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 emerging blue industry such as marine renewables 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, I lead the applied Marine Ecosystems Research unit https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/applied-marine-ecosystems-research-unit/amer that utilises non-destructive techniques, such as underwater video and acoustic telemetry, to assess the effectiveness of spatial management for species and habitats over large spatial and temporal scales.
Please refer to https://sheehanresearchgroup.com/ for the most up to date account of my team's research.

• Marine Biological Association of the UK
• Marine Conservation Society
• Greenpeace

Co-Chair ICES Working Group on Marine Protected Areas and other Spatial Conservation Measures 
Invited member ICES Working Group on Marine Benthal and Renewable Energy Developments 

I provide research-led teaching across undergraduate and masters level modules to inform students about our world leading marine conservation research. 
I am currently teaching on the following modules:

• BIO504 Health and Production in Aquaculture
• MBIO505 Marine Conservation Theory
• OS304 Marine Ecosystem Conservation
• MAR526 Introduction to Marine Renewable Energy
• MAR503 Coastal Impacts