Download and Marine Scotland Science (MSS)

Topics for Collaborations between University of Aberdeen (UoA) and Marine
Scotland Science (MSS)
All Main topics can be considered (sub topics are for guidance only)
MSS Priorities: Marine Scotland Strategic Plan 2010-2013
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/04/16154510/1
Aquaculture




Disease and Immunity
Food – fish meal & oils: Alternative protein/oil sources
Species of choice? Other salmonid species in North and South of Europe
Wild salmonid stocks. Conserving /maintain biodiversity and fisheries.
Environmental / Climate Change (Ecological mechanisms)





Environmental change (warming, acidification, sea level rise etc.) will influence the functioning
of marine organisms, both benthic and pelagic.
Food Security: Effects on the supply of fish (as food) to humans
Ecosystem functioning (including harvesting and size related trophic coupling )
Non Native Species How will the spread of invasive non native species affect marine and
freshwater ecosystems?
Population Genomics: Adaptation to local environments relating to life history strategies.
Fisheries








Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) issues (including spatial considerations)
CFP reform: regionalisation and associated management changes; discard mitigation;
Ecosystem approach in particular, integrating the social, economic and governance dimensions
Working with stakeholders to improve fisheries advice and gear use, etc.
Improving stock assessments and catch forecasts: precision, accuracy, and timing of delivery
Indicators related to MSFD
Emerging fisheries (e.g. myctophiids)
Data-poor stocks (e.g. elasmobranchs)
Marine Bio Technology




Marine Food (Nutrition)
Marine Energy (use of micro and macro algae)
Human Health: biodiscovery of novel marine-derived biomolecules and methodologies
Biomaterials, enzymes, biopolymers for industry and the development of other life science
products
Marine Spatial Planning / Use of the Seas (and ecological consequences)


Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Marine Energy (Locations and configuration of Offshore renewable developments)



Interactions and solving conflicts of offshore renewable energy, MPAs, Natura sites, oil & gas,
commercial fishing, recreational fishing, local economies, shipping and tourism.
Influence of Spatial/Population Genomics stock structure for range of species (commercial and
non-commercial) from benthic to highly mobile and importance of source/sink locations and
spatial fisheries management.
Changes to environment due to anthropogenic effects such as extraction of energy,
displacement of fishing activity, disturbance on animals, vital rates and population level
cumulative consequences
Pollution


Better environmental regulation
Pollution prevention