Dr Emma Sheehan
Profiles

Dr Emma Sheehan

Associate Professor of Marine Ecology (Research)

School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Biography

Biography

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.

Qualifications

2018: Home Office category C Personal License
2016: Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Plymouth
2015: Commercial HSE Diver
2011-2017: Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, UK
2010-2010: Visiting Research Fellow, Griffith University, Australia
2007-2007: Visiting Research Fellow, University of Sydney, Australia
2007-2010: Post-doctoral Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, UK
2003-2007 PhD: “Ecological impact of the Carcinus maenas(L.) fishery 'crab-tiling' on estuarine fauna”, University of Plymouth
2002-2002: Marine Conservation Officer, Natural England, UK 
1998 – 2001: BSc (1st Class Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology, University of Plymouth, UK
2001-2001: Project coordinator, Atlantic Whale Foundation, Spain 

Professional membership

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

Roles on external bodies

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 
Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

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
Research

Research

Research interests

For details about my research unit "Applied Marine Ecosystems Research" please refer to https://sheehanresearchgroup.com/
Research staff and projects
 
 
I manage a large diverse number of projects with the help of my research team which comprises PhD students, Post-docs and researchers. I also supervise a fleet of masters and honours students:
For details of staff and projects please refer to our team website: https://sheehanresearchgroup.com/
Or see the links below for specific UoP project websites:
Current research team
Dr Thomas Stamp (post doc)
Dr Peter Davies (post doc)
Dr Bede Davies (assistant project manager),
Amy Cartwright (assistant project manager)
Dr Alice Hall (project support officer)
Gabrielle Bogart (project manager)
Dr Adam Rees (assistant project manager)
PhD students
Llucia Mascorda – Sheehan (Dos) Hosegood and Attrill. Ecological interactions and Oceanographic effects of an offshore mussel farm
Danielle Bridger – Sheehan (DoS), Rees & Attrill. The ecological and socioeconomic impacts of a new large-scale offshore mussel farm in Lyme Bay
David Cox - Attrill (Dos), Sheehan and Rees. The social and ecological effects of Scallop Ranching
Samantha Blampied – Sheehan (DoS), Rees, Attrill. Evaluating the effectiveness and socio-economic value of MPAs in Jersey’s territorial waters
Past PhD students
Bede Davies - Sheehan (Dos), Holmes and Attrill. Recovery of the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area
Thomas Stamp - Sheehan (Dos), Robbins, West, Plenty, Attrill. The ecology and distribution of European Sea bass in the UK. 
Adam Rees - Attrill (DoS) & Sheehan. The ecological effects of increasing potting density in the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area 
Sarah Gall - Rodwell (DoS), Sheehan and Attrill. Evaluating the impacts of integrating fisheries and conservation management

Research groups

Publications

Publications

Journals
2024
Bridger D, Attrill MJ, Rees SE, Sheehan EV (2024) The aggregation effect of offshore mussel farming on pelagic fishes. Aquaculture Fish and Fisheries. In Press

Gonse M… Stamp T, Davies P, Hall A , Sheehan EV, Woillez M. Combining acoustic telemetry with archival tagging to investigate the spatial dynamic of the understudied pollack, Pollachius pollachius. Journal of Fish Biology. In Press

Mascorda-Cabre L, Sheehan EV, Attrill MJ, Hosegood P (2024) Assessing the impact of an offshore longline mussel farm on local water circulation in a highly hydrodynamic energetic bay. Aquaculture https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.740697

Hawkes LA, Davies P, Hall A, Horton T, Stamp, T, Witt M, Sheehan EV. People behind the ‘pings’; limiting authorship threatens collaboration in telemetry. Journal of Fish Biology. http://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15700

Renn C, Rees S, Rees S, Davies BFR, Cartwright AY, Fanshawe S, Attrill MJ, Holmes LA, Sheehan EV (2024) Lessons from Lyme Bay (UK) to inform policy, management, and monitoring of Marine Protected Areas. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsad204
2023
Hickman J, Richards J, Rees A, Sheehan EV (2023) Shipwrecks act as de facto marine protected areas in areas of heavy fishing pressure. Marine Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/maec.12782

Mascorda-Cabre L, Hosegood P, Attrill MJ, Bridger D, Sheehan EV (2023) Detecting sediment recovery below an offshore longline mussel farm: A macrobenthic Biological Trait Analysis (BTA). Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 195, 2023 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115556

Blampied S, Sheehan EV, Attrill, M, Binney FCT, Rees S (2022) The socio-economic impact of Marine Protected Areas in Jersey: A fishers’ perspective. Fisheries research. Volume 259, March 2023 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106555

2022

Stamp T, West E, Colclough S, Plenty S, Ciotti B, Robbins T, Sheehan EV (2022) Suitability of compensatory saltmarsh habitat for feeding and diet of multiple estuarine fish species Fisheries Management and Ecology https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12599

Stamp T, West E, Robbins T, Plenty S and Sheehan EV (2022) Large-scale historic habitat loss in estuaries and its implications for commercial and recreational fin fisheries. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 1–11 DOI: 10.1093/icesjms/fsac141

Lowe, C.D., Tregenza, N.J.C., Allen, C.J. Sheehan E.V. et al.(2022) A novel method for identifying coded tags recorded on aquatic acoustic monitoring systems. Environ Monit Assess194, 806 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10500-2

Bridger D, Attrill MJ, Rees S, Davies B, Mascorda L, Sheehan EV (2022) The restoration potential of offshore mussel farming on degraded seabed habitat. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries http://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.77

Blampied S, Rees S, Attrill, M, Sheehan EV (2022) Removal of Bottom-Towed Fishing from Whole-Site Marine Protected Areas Promotes Mobile Species Biodiversity. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Volume 276, 5 October 2022, 108033 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2022.108033

Davies BFR, Holmes L, Attrill MJ & Sheehan EV (2022) The Ecosystem Benefits of Adopting the Whole-Site Approach to MPA Management. Fisheries Management and Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12581

Blampied S, Sheehan EV, Binney FCT, Attrill MJ, Rees SE (2022) Value of coastal habitats to commercial fisheries in Jersey, English Channel, and the role of marine protected areas https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12571

Williams C, Rees S, Sheehan EV, Ashley M, Davies W (2022) Rewilding the sea? A rapid, low cost model for valuing the ecosystem service benefits of kelp forest recovery based on existing valuations and benefit transfers. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, section Conservation and Restoration Ecology. ID: 642775 https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.642775
2021

Davies BFR, Holmes LA, Bicknell A, Attrill MJ, Sheehan EV (2021) A Decade Implementing Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Improves Diversity of Taxa and Traits Within a Marine Protected Area in the UK. Diversity and Distributions. 00, 1-16. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ddi.13451

Stamp T, Clarke D, Plenty S, Robbins T, Stewart JE, West E, Sheehan EV (2021) Identifying juvenile and sub-adult movements to inform recovery strategies for a high value fishery—European bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsab180

Davies BFR, Holmes LA, Rees A, Attrill MJ, Cartwright A & Sheehan EV (2021). Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Works – how switching from mobile to static fishing gear improves populations of fished and non-fished species inside a Marine Protected Area. Journal of Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13986

Sheehan EV, Holmes LA, Davies BFR, Cartwright A, Rees A, Attrill MJ (2021) Rewilding of Protected Areas Enhances Resilience of Marine Ecosystems to Extreme Climatic Events. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.671427

Mascorda Cabre L, Hosegood P, Attrill M, Bridger D, Sheehan E (2021). Offshore longline mussel farms: a review of oceanographic and ecological interactions to inform future research needs, policy and management. Reviews in Aquaculture. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/raq.12549

ICES (2021) ICES/IUCN-CEM FEG Workshop on Testing OECM Practices and Strategies (WKTOPS). ICES Scientific Reports. 3:42. 195 pp. https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.8135

Rees A, Sheehan EV, Attrill, MJ (2021) Optimal fishing effort benefits fisheries and conservation. Scientific Reports https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82847-4

Rees SE, Ashley M, Evans L, Mangi S, Sheehan EV, Mullier T, Rees A, Attrill MJ (2021) An evaluation of the social and economic impact of a Marine Protected Area on commercial fisheries. Fisheries Research 235: 105819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105819

2020

Hays GC, Koldewey HJ, Andrzejaczek S. et al.(2020) A review of a decade of lessons from one of the world’s largest MPAs: conservation gains and key challenges. Marine Biology 167: 159. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-020-03776-w

Gall S, Rodwell L, Clark S, Robbins T, Attrill MJ, Holmes LA, Sheehan EV (2020) The impact of potting for crustaceans on temperate rocky reef habitats: implications for management. Marine Environmental Research 162: 105134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105134.


Bugnot AB, Mayer-Pinto M, Airoldi L, Heery EC, Johnston EL, Critchley LP, Strain EMA, Morris RL, Loke LHL, Bishop MJ, Sheehan EV, Coleman RA, Dafforn KA (2020) Current and projected global extent of marine infrastructure. Nature Sustainability. DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00595-1


Morgan A, Sheehan EV, Rees A, Cartwright A (2020) Towards a Marine Socio-ecology of Learning in the South West of England. In: Pontius J., Mueller M., Greenwood D. (eds) Place-based Learning for the Plate. Environmental Discourses in Science Education, vol 6. Springer,Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42814-3_11

Davies P, Britton RJ, Nunn AD, Dodd JR, Crundwell C, Velterop R, Maoiléidigh NÓ, Neill RO, Sheehan EV, Stamp T, Bolland JD (2020). Novel insights into the marine phase and river fidelity of anadromous twaite shad Alosa fallaxin the UK and Ireland. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 30: 1291-1298. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3343

Rees SE, Sheehan EV, Stewart BD, Clark R, Appleby T, Attrill MJ, Jones PJS, Johnson D, Bradshaw N, Pittman S, Oates J, Solandt J-L (2020) Emerging themes to support ambitious UK marine biodiversity conservation. Marine Policy 117: 103864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103864

Davies BFR, Attrill MJ, Holmes LA, Rees A, Witt MJ, Sheehan EV (2020) Acoustic Complexity Index to assess benthic biodiversity of a partially protected area in the Southwest of the UK. Ecological Indicators 111: 106019. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.106019

Solandt J-L, Mullier T, Elliot S, Sheehan EV (2020) Managing Marine Protected Areas in Europe: Moving from ‘feature-based’ to ‘whole-site’ management of sites. In Humphreys J & Clark R (eds), Marine Protected Areas: science, policy and management. Elsevier, Ch 9. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-102698-4.00009-5

Solandt J-L, Mullier T, Elliot S, Sheehan EV (2020) Achieving true site integrity: Moving from ‘feature-based’ to ‘whole-site’ management of MPAs post-Brexit. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. In press.

2019

Luff A, Sheehan EV, Parry M, Higgs N (2019) A simple mooring modification reduces impacts on seagrass meadows. Scientific Reports 9: 20062. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-55425-y

Sheehan EV, Bridger D, Nancollas SJ, Pittman SJ (2019) A novel underwater imaging system with computer vision for semi-automated monitoring of mobile marine fauna at offshore structures. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 192. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7980-4

Davies P, Sheehan EV (2019) Laser chasing behaviour of wild fishes exploited as a tool to compare space use between size, sex and species. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 35: 1225-1233. doi: 10.1111/jai.13982

Sheehan EV, Hosegood P, Game CA, Attrill MJ, Tickler D, Wootton M, Johns DG, Meeuwig JJ (2019) The effect of deep oceanic flushing on water properties and ecosystem functioning within atolls in the British Indian Ocean Territory. Frontiers in Marine Science 6: 512. doi:10.3389/fmars.2019.00512

Sheehan EV, Bridger D, Mascorda Cabre L, Cartwright A, Cox D, Rees D, Holmes LA, Pittman SJ (2019) Bivalves boost biodiversity. Journal of the Institute of Food Science and Technology. 33(2): 18-21. Available here

Sheehan EV (2019) Motion in the ocean – paradigm shift in movement ecology requires “sedentary” organisms to be redefined. Journal of Animal Ecology 88: 816-819. doi:10.1111/1365-2656.13006

Bicknell AWJ, Sheehan EV, Godley BJ, Doherty PD, Witt MJ (2019) Assessing the impact of introduced infrastructure at sea with cameras: A case study for spatial scale, time and statistical power. Marine Environmental Research 147: 126-137. doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.04.007

2018

Sheehan EV, Cartwright AY, Witt MJ, Attrill MJ, Vural M, Holmes LA (2018) Development of epibenthic assemblages on artificial habitat associated with marine renewable infrastructure. ICES Journal of Marine Science doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsy151

2017

Wilding TA, Gill AB, Boon A, Sheehan E, Dauvin JC, Pezy JP, O’Beirn F, Janas U, Rostin L, De Mesel I (2017) Turning off the DRIP (‘Data-rich, information-poor’)–rationalising monitoring with a focus on marine renewable energy developments and the benthos. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 74: 848-859. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2017.03.013

Sheehan EV, Rees A, Bridger D, Williams T, Hall-Spencer JM (2017) Strandings of NE Atlantic gorgonians. Biological Conservation 209: 482-487. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2017.03.020

Heery EC, Bishop MJ, Critchley LP, Bugnot AB, Airoldi L, Mayer-Pinto M, Sheehan EV, Coleman RA, Loke LHL, Johnston EL, Komyakova V, Morris RL, Strain EMA, Naylor LA, Dafforn KA (2017) Identifying the consequences of ocean sprawl for sedimentary habitats. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology in press.doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2017.01.020

2016

Sheehan EV, Cousens SL (2016) “Starballing”: a potential explanation for mass stranding. Marine Biodiversity 47: 617. doi:10.1007/s12526-016-0504-3

Bicknell AWJ, Godley BJ, Sheehan EV, Votier SC, Witt MJ (2016) Camera technology for monitoring marine biodiversity and human impact. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 14: 424-432. doi:10.1002/fee.1322

Sheehan EV, Vaz S, Pettifer E, Foster NL, Nancollas SJ, Cousens S, Holmes L, Facq JV, Germain G, Attrill MJ (2016) An experimental comparison of three Towed Underwater Video Systems using species metrics, benthic impact and performance. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 7: 843-852. doi:10.1111/2041-210X.12540

Jackson EJ, Cousens S, Bridger D, Nancollas SJ, Sheehan EV (2016) Conservation inaction in action for Essex seagrass meadows?. Regional Studies in Marine Science 8:141-150 doi:10.1016/2016-210X.12540

Wasson B, Sheehan EV (2016) The first records of Megalomma lanigera(Polychaeta: Sabellidae) from British waters. Cahiers de Biologie Marine 57: 281-283.

Firth LB, Knights AM, Bridger D, Evans A, Mieskowska N, Moore PJ, O’Connor NE, Sheehan EV, Thompson RC (2016) Ocean sprawl: challenges and opportunities for biodiversity management in a changing world. Oceanography and Marine Biology: an annual review 54. doi:10.1201/9781315368597

2015

Sheehan EV, Bridger D, Cousens SL, Attrill MJ (2015) Resilience of dead maerl infaunal assemblages to experimental habitat removal and replacement. Marine Ecology Progress Series 535:117-128. doi:10.3354/meps11400

Sheehan EV, Bridger D, Attrill MJ (2015) The ecosystem service value of living versus dead biogenic reef. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 154: 248-254. doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2014.12.042

Rodríguez-Rodríguez D, Rees S, Mannaerts G, Sciberras M, Piried C, Black G, Aulert C, Sheehan EV, Carrierb S, Attrill MJ (2015) Status of the marine protected area network across the English channel (La Manche): Cross-country similarities and differences in MPA designation, management and monitoring. Marine Policy 51: 536–546. doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2014.09.021

2014

Stevens TF, Sheehan, Gall SC, Fowell SC, Attrill MJ (2014) Monitoring benthic biodiversity restoration in Lyme Bay marine protected area: Design, sampling and analysis. Marine Policy 45: 310-317. doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2013.09.006

2013

Sheehan EV, TF Stevens, SC Gall, SL Cousens, MJ Attrill (2013) Recovery of a Temperate Reef Assemblage in a Marine Protected Area following the Exclusion of Towed Demersal Fishing. PloS ONE 8: e83883. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0083883

Sheehan EV, SL Cousens, SJ Nancollas, C Stauss, J Royle, MJ Attrill (2013) Drawing lines at the sand: Evidence for functional vs. visual reef boundaries in temperate Marine Protected Areas. Marine pollution bulletin 76: 194-202. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.09.004

Rees SE, Sheehan EV, Jackson EL, Gall SC, Cousens SL, Solandt JL, Boyer M, Attrill MJ (2013) A legal and ecological perspective of ‘site integrity’ to inform policy development and management of Special Areas of Conservation in Europe. Marine pollution bulletin 72:14-21. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.03.036

Sheehan EV, Gall SC, Cousens SC, Attrill MJ (2013) Epibenthic assessment of a renewable tidal energy site. The Scientific World Journal, Article 906180. doi:10.1155/2013/906180

2012

Sheehan EV, Attrill MJ, Thompson RC, Coleman RA (2012) Changes in shorebird behaviour and distribution associated with an intertidal crab fishery. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 22: 683–694. doi:10.1002/aqc.2261

2010

Sheehan EV, Stevens TF, Attrill MJ (2010) A quantitative, non-destructive methodology for habitat characterisation and benthic monitoring at offshore renewable energy developments. PLoS ONE 5: e14461. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0014461

Sheehan EV, Coleman RA, Thompson RC and Attrill M.J (2010) Crab-tiling reduces the diversity of estuarine infauna. Marine Ecology Progress Series 411: 137-148. doi:10.3354/meps08668

Sheehan EV, Coleman RA, Attrill MJ , Thompson RC (2010) A quantitative assessment of the response of mobile estuarine fauna to crab-tiles during tidal immersion using remote underwater video cameras. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 387: 68-74. doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2010.02.008

2009

Witt MJ, Sheehan EV, Bearhop S, Broderick AC, Conley DC, Cotterell SP, Crow E, Grecian WJ, Halsband C, Hodgson DJ, Hosegood P, Inger R, Miller PI, Sims DW, Thompson RC, Vanstaen K, Votier SC, Attrill MJ, Godley BJ (2009) Assessing wave energy effects on biodiversity: The Wave Hub experience. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A 370: 502-529. doi:10.1098/rsta.2011.0265

Inger R , Attrill MJ, Bearhop S, Broderick AC, Grecian WJ, Hodgson DJ, Mills C, Sheehan EV, Votier SC, Witt MJ, Godley BJ (2009) Marine renewable energy: potential benefits to biodiversity. Journal of Applied Ecology. 46: 1145-1153. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01697.x

2008

Sheehan EV, Thompson RC, Coleman RA, Attrill MJ (2008) Positive feedback fishery: Population consequences of ‘crab-tiling’ on the green crab Carcinus maenas. Journal of Sea Research 60: 255-261. doi:10.1016/j.seares.2008.09.002

2007

Johnson ELG, Attrill MJ, Sheehan EV, Somerfield PJ (2007) Recovery of meiofauna communities following mudflat disturbance by trampling associated with crab-tiling. Marine Environmental Research 64: 409-416. doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2007.03.002


Books
Solandt J-L, Mullier T, Elliot S, Sheehan EV (2020) Managing Marine Protected Areas in Europe: Moving from ‘feature-based’ to ‘whole-site’ management of sites. In Humphreys J & Clark R (eds), Marine Protected Areas: science, policy and management. Elsevier, Ch 9. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-102698-4.00009-5

Morgan A, Sheehan E, Rees A, Cartwright A. In press. Towards a Marine Socio-Ecology of Learning in the South West of England. In Joel B. Pontius, Michael P. Mueller, David A. Greenwood (eds). Hunting, Foraging, and Fishing for Food as Place-based Learning

Chapters
Conference Papers
Reports
Other Publications
Personal

Personal

Reports & invited lectures

Training
2016 Mentor on a British Council Newton funded workshop 'Coastal Sustainability' for 40 UK and Malaysian early career scientists in Penang
2015 Invited speaker at Natural England Maerl workshop with Prof Jason Hall-Spencer and Dr Nick Kamenos Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, UK
2013 Organized workshop “Monitoring best practice for underwater video”, UoP, UK
2013 Invited speaker at Natural England National Team MPA Training event. Monitoring ‘Recovery’: lessons from Lyme Bay, Brixham, UK 2013
2012 Invited speaker at Natural England SW Team MPA Training event. Monitoring ‘Recovery’: lessons from Lyme Bay Marine Biological Association UK, Plymouth, UK 2012
2011 Invited speaker at Natural England Workshop. Experimental design and Marine Protected Areas. Marine Biological Association UK, Plymouth, UK 2011
Talks
2019 Attendance of a new initiative the “South West Marine Cluster for Aquaculture” – a strategic meeting to promote south west Blue Growth. 
2019 Structures in the Marine Environment – Glasgow, UK, Speaker
2019 ITRS – Hong Kong Speaker
2018 Lyme Bay Case-Study – Benthic recovery, Storms impact and lessons learnt. Lyme bay 10th anniversary event. Plymouth, UK Conference theme developer and convener
2018 Benthic Ecology Meeting – Texas USA Speaker
2018 Coastal Futures – (invited) Royal geographic association, London, UK Invited speaker
2017 Marine Protected Area conference – Poole, UK – Invited speaker
2017 Porcupine – invited speaker March 2017 Plymouth, UK Invited speaker
2016 University of Aberystwyth – Invited speaker Invited speaker
2017 IMPAC – invited to attend as part of the British Embassy in Chili, Chili, Invited speaker
2016 IMCC –– (Chair and speaker) St Johns, Newfoundland, Chair and speaker
2016 Marine Protected Areas: benthic recovery, storm impacts and lessons learnt – invited speaker. Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK Invited speaker
2016 Marine Protected Areas: benthic recovery, storm impacts and lessons learnt (invited). Scallop Association, Brixham, UK Invited speaker
2015 Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conference, Liverpool, UK Speaker
2015 PRIMARE, Exeter University Penryn campus, Cornwall, UK Invited speaker
2015 PANACHE-VALMER Final conference Torquay, UK Invited speaker
2015 South West Marine Ecosystems Plymouth, UK Invited speaker
2014 10th International Temperate Reefs Symposium Perth, Australia Speaker
2014 Renewable UK shared presentation with Mike Childs (Friends of the Earth) Birmingham, UK Invited speaker
2013 IMPAC, Marseille, France Speaker
2013 PANACHE, INTERREG conference Boulogne Sur Mer Invited speaker
2013 ISOPE Impacts of Marine Renewables Anchorage, Alaska. Speaker
2010 NERC workshop. Invited Birmingham, UK, Invited
2010. British Ecological Society annual meeting, (Invited) Birmingham, UK Invited speaker
2010 Oceans 2010 (Invited), Portland Oregon, USA. Invited speaker
2009 Devon Biodiversity Forum, Council offices, Exeter, UK. Invited speaker
2009 Biodiversity Impacts of Marine Renewables, Wave Hub Exeter, UK Speaker
2009 Porcupine Marine Natural History Society, Plymouth, UK Speaker
2009 Marine Renewable Energy Workshop: (Invited). London, UK Invited
2009 Marine Energy Workshop, UK ERC, (Invited) Edinburgh, UK Invited
2008 International Conference for Marine Renewable Energy Brest, France Speaker
2008 Biodiversity Impacts of Marine Renewable Energy, Wave Hub. Plymouth, UK Speaker
2008 International Scientific Meeting on Marine Renewable Energy and the Environment, London, UK Speaker
2005 The 18th Biennial Conference of the Estuarine Research Federation. Norfolk, Virginia, USA Speaker
2003 17th Biennial Conference of the Estuarine Research Foundation Seattle, USA Poster

Conferences organised

2021 EWTEC European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference Series (Academic Organising Committee Member)
2018 Celebrating 10 years of protection and monitoring in the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area
The event was attended by over 50 people from Natural England, DEFRA, IFCAs Devon Wildlife trust, local fishers, local artists, Blue Marine Foundation, UoP staff and students (www.sheehanresearchgroup.com/return).