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Llucia Mascorda-Cabre

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Dr Llucia Mascorda-Cabre

 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1852-0528

    Accepting PhD Students

    Overview

    Profile summary

    I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the RIPCORD project "Pulling the Ripcord on Parachute Science: A Step Change in Marine Conservation". RIPCORD is led by Dr  [STAFFMEMBER] Dr Philip Hosegood - P  with Postdoctoral Research Fellow  [STAFFMEMBER] Dr Clara Diaz - P  and includes University of Plymouth scientists in collaboration with the Marine Conservation Society and funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation. The project aims to redefine how marine science is conducted in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), moving away from "parachute science"—where international researchers collect data and leave—towards a more collaborative, sustainable, and capacity-building model. I collect acoustic fisheries data.
    From 2023 until 2025, I was a Postdoctoral researcher with the aMER Unit undertaking research on the impacts of aquaculture and MPAs on the Defra funded FISP project, Ropes to Reefs. Ropes to Reefs is a fisher, farmer, scientist collaboration to evidence fish stock and habitat benefits of Offshore Aquaculture to inform future management and policy. The project aims to assess the ecosystem services and benefits of offshore aquaculture, assess the restoration of essential fish habitat (EFH), biodiversity and associated healthy fish stocks (biomass) in Lyme Bay which includes an offshore mussel farm, a scallop ranch, a seaweed farm and the Lyme Bay MPA.
    My PhD project (2019-2023) assessed the overall footprint of an offshore longline mussel farm in its surrounding environment, in Lyme Bay, UK. The objectives were to study the ecosystem interactions between the farm and the oceanography and ecology of the area by examining the hydrodynamic and physiochemical regime, the surrounding plankton community as well as the pelagic and benthic assemblages. 
     
    For more information:
    RIPCORD
    ROPES TO REEFS
    PHD

    Roles on external bodies

    Additional information

    Awards:

    Additional information

    Qualifications:

    Employment

    • 2026 - 2028: Chair of ICES SIIECS
    • 2025 - 2027: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
    • 2023 - 2025: Postdoctoral researcher, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
    • 2013 - 2016: Marine Lead Adviser, Natural England, Exeter, UK
    • 2015: Marine Protected Areas survey on RV Cefas Endeavour vessel, South West UK
    • 2012: Seasonal Ecological Surveyor, Thomson Ecology, Guildford, UK
    • 2011 - 2012: Volunteer Coordinator and Science Officer at Reef Doctor, Ifaty, Madagascar and Assistant Marine Research Officer at Frontier, Nosy Be, Madagascar

    Education

    • 2019 - 2023: PhD in Marine Science, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
    • 2016 - 2018: Joint Erasmus Mundus Master in Marine Environment and Resources. Master from the Université de Bordeaux, the Universidad del Pais Basco, the Université de Liege, Southampton University and University of Tasmania.
    • 2008 - 2011: BSc(Hons) Environmental Science. University of Plymouth
    • 2007 - 2008: Extended Science. University of Plymouth

    Volunteering

    • 2019 to date: Totnes Canoe Club Coach, Totnes, UK
    • April and June 2016: WWF Whale Shark seasonal population survey, Donsol , Philippines 
    • 2013 - 2015: Seasearch underwater scientific diver, South West UK
    • 2014 - 2015: Exeter Canoe Club Coach, Exeter, UK
    • 2015: Volunteer with Kids that care, UNITE Carers of Mid Devon, UK
    • 2013 - 2015: Bat surveyor with the Devon and Exeter Bat group, UK
    • Summer 2013: Intertidal surveys with Cornwall Wildlife Trust, SW UK



    Research interests:

    I am an early ecology and conservation researcher with 10 years experience in collecting and interpreting measurements from a diverse range of dynamic regimes in the terrestrial and marine environment. Both my academic and professional experience have always involved a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to marine conservation and resource management. I believe that studying and understanding the links between biodiversity and its function within the ecosystem is crucial.

    Grants contracts:

    Ropes to Reefs Defra FISP

    Artistic projects:

    Infographics on my publication

    Conferences organised:


    NAEMO Workshop 2021 Organiser member. Video editor
    PlyMSEF 2019 Conference Committee member


    Other academic activities:

    Conference presentations:

    • ICES ASC 2025. Klaipeda, Lithuania - Keynote presentation.
    • ICES ASC 2024. Gateshead, UK - One presentations on Postdoctoral Ropes to Reef project.
    • ICES ASC 2023. Bilbao, Spain - One presentations on PhD project and a poster on postdoctoral research - September 2023 - Winner of Best Conference Presentation
    • IMPAC 5. Vancouver, Canada - Two presentations on PhD project - February 2023
    • North Wales Shellfish Conference - Invited
    • ICES ASC 2022. Dublin, Ireland - One presentations on PhD project - September 2022
    • PlyMSEF 2022. Plymouth, UK - Presenting PhD project - February 2022
    • Aquaculture Europe 2021 Oceans of Opportunity, Madeira, Portugal - Presenting my publication and involvement in ICES WORKTOPS on OECMs. Invited to take part of a round table - October 2021
    • ARCH UK Regional Webinar Series Aquaculture in South West England - April 2021
    • NAEMO Workshop - April 2021
    • MBA Conference 2020/21. Online - Presenting PhD project - April 2021
    • PlyMSEF 2020. Plymouth, UK - Presenting PhD project - February 2020
    • ASSG Conference. NAEMO workshop. Oban, UK - Invited to present PhD project - October 2019
    • IMPAC3. Marseille, France - Invited to report on a workshop as part of the MAIA project - October 2013
    • GAP2 International Symposium. Bercelona, Spain - February 2015 

    Journal committee and editor: 

    • The Open Review volume 



    Links:

    https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Llucia_Mascorda_Cabre/publications

    Additional information

    After obtaining a BSc (Hons) from the University of Plymouth, UK, I moved to Madagascar to work as a Science Officer and Volunteer Coordinator for two well-known NGOs. In Madagascar, I contributed to the re-writing of the science project, performed various underwater surveys and trained volunteers to perform the scientific diving program. Upon my return to the UK, I worked as a terrestrial ecological surveyor for a renowned ecological consultancy before embarking on a three year post as a Marine Lead Adviser for Natural England (NE). Based in the South West of England, I worked on the designation of new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) advising DEFRA on pre- and post-designation as well as leading on stakeholder engagement programs as the Exe Estuary MPA site lead. As part of my role, I also developed new Conservation Advice packages for SW MPAs and dealt with casework. I also joined the RV Cefas Endeavour vessel to perform MCZ verification surveys along the SW coast as part of a joint Cefas/NE project. 
    In 2016, I embarked on a new adventure by joining an Erasmus Mundus Master. During the following two years I studied in four different Universities in four different countries which finalised with achieving a Master (cum laude) with the best mark of my cohort, being awarded with a price for my accomplishment. I performed my master thesis under the supervision of Professor Graham Edgar from the University of Tasmania. During my time at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) I studied the impact of MPA size on biological outcomes which earn me a distinction. 
    In 2019, I started a new chapter on my scientific career as a PhD student as part of Dr Emma Sheehan’s research group in the University of Plymouth, UK. During this 4 year PhD, I will embark into the study of ecological and oceanographic environmental impacts of a novel large-scale offshore mussel farm in Lyme Bay, SW UK.

    Professional memberships

    Marine Biological AssociationBritish Ecological Society
    Marine Conservation Society
    Society for Conservation Biology
    European Aquaculture Society

    Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

    In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

    1. SDG 4 - Quality Education
      SDG 4 Quality Education
    2. SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
      SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
    3. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
      SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
    4. SDG 14 - Life Below Water
      SDG 14 Life Below Water
    5. SDG 15 - Life on Land
      SDG 15 Life on Land
    6. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
      SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    7. SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
      SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

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