Science Advisory Panel

Formal submissions to the Science Advisory Panel

First formal submission to the SAP (click here)
Science Advisory Panel response to first formal submission (click here)

Impact Assessment reports (submitted directly to Defra)

First Impact Assessment report is now available (click here)

About the Science Advisory Panel

The Marine Conservation Zones Science Advisory Panel is an independent body 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.

The Science Advisory Panel has not been put in place to make any recommendations on sites or to undertake any of the ‘hands on’ planning work. They have been selected as a panel of experts in their respective fields to check that the outputs of the Net Gain Project fit within the criteria outlined in the Ecological Network Guidance.

Dr Peter Ryder has been appointed as Chair, and he is joined by a panel of world-leading marine experts. 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 estuarine 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.

Latest News

[Net News]

2010-07-23
Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Report now available.

2010-07-18
Project Delivery Guidance and Ecological Network Guidance now available

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Find out more about MCZs

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