Jason Hall-Spencer

Professor Jason Hall-Spencer

Job title: Professor of Marine Biology, School of Marine Science and Engineering (Faculty of Science and Technology)
Address: A428 , Portland Square, Drake Circus,
Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA
Email: jason.hall-spencer@plymouth.ac.uk

Qualifications & background

Google Scholar Author Profile
PhD University of London, based at Millport Marine Biological Station (NERC funded)
BSc Marine Biology, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
Health & Safety Executive Part IV Professional Air Diver

AWARDS:
2003-present Honorary Lecturer, University of Glasgow.
2005 British Association Charles Lyell Award.
2010 University of Plymouth World Class Researcher Award
2012 University of Washington Paul Illg Distinguished Lectureship

PREVIOUS POSITIONS:

2012-present Professor of Marine Biology, Plymouth University

2010-2011 Reader in Marine Biology, Plymouth University

2009 Lecturer in Marine Biology, Plymouth University

2003-2008 Royal Society Research Fellow, University of Plymouth.
2000-2002 Lecturer in Marine Biology, University of Glasgow.
1996-1999 PDRA at University of London and University of Glasgow.
1992-1997 Firefighter with Strathclyde Firebrigade.
1992 Marine Nature Conservation Review Team, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, UK.
1991 Benthic Ecologist. Institute of Offshore Engineering, Edinburgh, UK.

Professional membership
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Marine Biological Association, UK

Porcupine Marine Natural History Society
Society for Underwater Technology
Editorial Advisory Board of the journal Ocean Acidification

Roles on external bodies
United Nations World Oceans Assessment advisor 2013

NERC Fellowship Scheme sift and interview panel 2013

Steering Committee of the NERC Facility for Scientific Diving (2012-present)

NERC Peer Review College (2012-present)

EU SEAS-ERA Scientific Evaluation Committee (2012)
IPCC ocean acidification working group (funded by UNESCO, 2011-present).
Economics of Ocean Acidification working group (funded by the IAEA Monaco, 2010-present).
UK Marine Protected Area Scientific Advisory Panel (funded by DEFRA, 2009-2012).

Norwegian Research Council grant review panel (funded by NRC 2009 - present).
international Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) Working Group on Deepwater Ecology (2005-present).
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) representative drafting guidelines for the management of deep-sea fisheries in the High Seas (2008-present).
Royal Society Marine Advisory Committee (2007- present).
Rosalind Franklin Award Committee Member (2007- 2010).
International Observer on Canadian Fishing Gear Impact investigation by the Ecology Action Centre (Halifax), Living Oceans Society (BC) and the US Marine Conservation Biology Institute (2007-2010).V

Teaching interests

I teach marine biology, mainly focused on sublittoral ecology (polar, boreal and tropical), fisheries science, macroalgae, climate change and marine conservation. I am a personal tutor for 24 undergraduates and lead modules MBIO203P (HSE first aid, VHF, boat handling), BIOL2004/2005/2006 (Methods in Marine Biology, Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology, Marine Biology and Oceanography), BIOL 2010 (Diving Science) and BIOL 2413 (Threatened Aquatic Ecosystems). I also teach on BIOL 1008 (Skills in marine biology), MBIO105 (Natural History), BIOL1101 (Roscoff Fieldcourse), MBIO103 (Ecosystems), BIOL 3001 (Undergraduate Dissertations), EOE3215 (Vulnerable marine and coastal ecosystems), MASC301 (Marine Ecosystem Conservation), MAR503 (Marine Coastal Impacts) and MBAM5104 (Marine Conservation and Ecological analyses). This year I am teaching graduate students at Sylt Marine Laboratory (Germany) and undergraduates at Friday Harbour Laboratory (USA), Bangor University, Newquay College and the University of Hull.

Current PhD Students
1) Bryony Pearce: Biogenic reef-forming polychaetes.
2) Maria Campbell: Application of spatial information to offshore management and planning.
3) Grazyna Durak: silification mechanisms in algae.
4) Maeve Eason-Hubbard: algal photosynthesis (based at Oxford University).
5) Laura Pettit: effects of CO2 on foraminifera.
6) Demetris Kletou: human impacts in ultraoligotrophic coastal systems.
7) Cecilia Baggini: ecology of Methana submarine gas vents.

8) Joy Smith: effects of CO2 on zooplankton ecology.

Current MRes Students
1) Leela Chakravarti: phytoplankton adaptation
2) Linnaea Burt: metal bioavailability and climate change
3) Rebecca Ellis: biofilms
4) Matt Loar: the diet of unusual fish landed into Plymouth
5) Marco Franzitta: benthic ecology ERASMUS placement from Palermo Uni

Current BSc Student dissertations
1) Charlie Ried: invertebrates on seaweeds
2) Carlotte Molfese: temporal changes in fish landings into Plymouth
3) Jon Hillman: fish diversity on Indonesian corals
4) Toby Kay: pH variability in Teignmouth estuary
5) Sam Pountney: laboratory investigation of coral growth
6) Ro Allen: Impacts of divers on tropical reefs
7) Chris Baker: Scleractinian coral competition
8) Laura Bray: sea urchins along CO2 gradients

9) James Charrin: international Marine Protected Areas

Invited keynotes, lectures and policy workshops since 2008.

Invited Keynote. Ocean acidification. European Marine Biology Symposium, Galway, 19-23 August 2013.

Inaugral Professorial Lecture. Marine Science into Policy, Plymouth University, 26 March 2013.

Invited Lecture, Identification of nongeniculate Corallinaceae. Seaweeds Course, Marine Biological Association, 18 March 2013.

Invited lecture. FP7 MedSeA results from CO2 vents. Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece, 4-6 Mar 2013.

Invited lecture. FP7 MedSeA results from CO2 vents. University of Bangor, 28 Feb 2013.

Invited lecture. FP7 MedSeA results on ocean acidification. University Brunei Darusselam, 12 Feb 2013.

Invited lecture. Fisheries and coastal degradation. World Fish Centre, Penang, Malaysia, 4 Feb 2013.

Invited lecture. Marine biology using submarines, Newquay College, UK, 24 Jan 2012.

Invited lecture. Marine biology & climate change. Swire Inst. of Marine Biology, Hong Kong, 14 Dec 2012.

Invited lecture. FP7 MedSeA results from CO2 vents. University of Hull. 5 Dec 2012.

Policy workshop. Ocean acidification effects on fisheries and aquaculture. IAEA Monaco, 11-13 Nov 2012.

Invited lectures. Climate Change in the Marine Realm. International Summer School for Students. Alfred Wegener Institute Wadden Sea Station, List/Sylt 10-24 September 2012.

Public lecture. Deep-sea coral reefs. San Juan Community Theatre, Washington State, USA, 1 July 2012.

Invited lecture. Ecosystem effects of ocean acidification. Friday Harbour Marine Lab., USA, 28 June 2012.

Invited lecture. Global Oceans Governance. European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium, 6 June 2012.

Invited Keynote. CO₂effects on seagrass meadows, University of Nottingham, UK, 9-10 May 2012.

Policy workshop. Evaluating the sensitivity of Central and South American benthic communities to global climate changes. Ilhabela, Brazil, 22-26 April 2012.

Invited lecture. Ecological effects of ocean acidification. Final EPOCA meeting, Nice, 2-6 April 2012.

Invited Keynote. Ocean acidification - impact synergies update. University of Oxford 19-21 March 2012.

Invited lecture. Progress with volcanic vent research. MedSeA annual meeting. Rome 5-8 March 2012.

Invited lecture. Acid washed genes. AAAS Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada,16-20 Feb 2012.

Invited lecture. Effects of increasing CO2 levels on coastal marine ecosystems. University of Washington, USA, 14 Feb 2012.

Invited lecture. Rocky shore effects of increasing CO2. University of British Columbia, Canada, 13 Feb 2012.

Invited lecture. University of the third age. Yealm Yacht Club, UK, 8 Feb 2012.

Invited lecture. IUCN/Total Foundation Biodiversity Symposium, Porquerolles, France, 5 Oct 2011.

Invited lecture. Arctic acidification. Norwegian Inst. Mar. Sci., Tromso, Norway, 27-29 Sep 2011.

Public lecture. Suffolk and the Sea. Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival 23 Sep 2011.

Invited lecture. Submarine volcanoes. Chartered Engineers Club, Exeter, UK, 14 March 2011.

Public lecture. The Big SCUBA Show, London, UK, 19-20 Feb 2011.

Invited lecture. Minimizing displacement in offshore MPA design, ZSL London, UK, 3 Feb 2011.

Invited lecture. Ecosystem effects of towed fishing gear. Yealm Environment Group, 31 Jan 2011.

Invited Keynote. Ocean Dynamics in the Cretaceous, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 26-28 Jan 2011.

Invited Keynote. IPCC WG1 & WG2, Okinawa, Japan, 14-20 Jan2011.

Invited lecture. NERC UKOARP kick-off meeting, Cambridge, UK, 5-7 Jan 2011.

Invited lecture. Ecosystem effects of acidification, IFM-GEOMAR, Kiel, Germany, 10 Dec 2010.

Invited lecture. Coral Gardens. Cornwall College Newquay, UK, 1 Dec 2010.

Invited lecture. Economics of ocean acidification, Monaco, 17 Nov 2010.

Invited workshop participant. Frontiers of Science, Perth, Australia,12 Oct 2010. 

Invited lecture. IMarEST 46th Marine Measurement Forum, London, UK, 9 May 2010.

Invited lecture. Heriot-Watt University Marine MSc Programme, Edinburgh, UK 19 March 2010.

Invited lecture. 2010 AAAS Annual Meeting ,San Diego, USA, 18-22 Feb 2010.

Invited lecture. Algal response to CO2 DIVERSITAS OSC2 ,Cape Town, South Africa,14-16 Oct 2009.

Invited lecture. Research in shallow and marine freshwater systems, Freiberg, Germany, 14-16 May 2009.

Invited expert, Marine Natura 2000 for the Atlantic Region, Galway, Ireland, 24-25 March 2009.

Invited lecture. Biodiversity, Ecosystemsand Fisheries. FAO, Rome, Italy, 3 March 2009. 

Invited lecture. Seamounts. Hong Kong University School of Biology, China, 29 Dec 2008.

Invited Keynote. 4^th Cold-water Coral Symposium, New Zealand, 1-5 Dec 2008.

Invited lecture. Climate and Oceans Conference, Brussels, Belgium, 5 Nov 2008. 

Invited Keynote. 2^nd Oceans in a High CO₂World Conference, Monaco, 5-9 Oct 2008.

Invited lecture. Euroclimate Conference, Giens, France, 29-30 Sept 2008.

Invited workshop participant. Marine Conservation Biology Institute, Seattle, USA, 27-29 May 2008.

Invited lecture. DC-UK. Porcupine Marine Natural History Society, Bangor, UK, 28-30 March 2008.

Staff serving as external examiners
External examiner of Riccardo Rodolfo-Metalpa's PhD thesis on Mediterranean corals. Defense held in Monaco (University of Marseille), 2007.

External examiner of Elena Guijarro Garcia's PhD thesis on Chlamys and Pandalus fisheries in Iceland. University of Alicante, Spain, 2008.

External examiner of Viviana Pena's PhD thesis on Iberian maerl beds. University of Coruna, Spain 2010.

External examiner of Thomas Vance's PhD thesis on ocean acidification effects on marine assemblages. University of Newcastle, UK 2010

External examiner of Ruth Thurstan's PhD thesis on resetting marine environmental baselines for the UK. University of York 2011

External examiner of MSc theses, University of Malta 2013.

External supervisor of Morgana Tagliarolo's PhD thesis on metabolic adaptation of intertidal organisms. LEMAR/IUEM-Brest, France 2010-2014

Research interests
Current research spans seamount ecology , fisheries , ocean acidification, aquaculture and conservation. I'm also working on Marine Protected Area design using satellite vessel monitoring for fisheries management. My main fieldwork sites are currently at volcanic CO2 vents in the Mediterranean, and coral reefs in the Arctic, the NE Atlantic and off Papua New Guinea.

Recent consultancy work includes a Marine Stewardship Council assessment of the US scallop fishery, an assessment of ship biofouling in African waters for Sach Solicitors Ltd, assessments of the effects of capital dredging in UK waters for Royal Haskoning, assessments of Natura 2000 sites and Marine Conservation Zones for DEFRA and biodiversity reports for OSPAR. I also conduct commercial diving surveys (e.g. for Chichester Harbour Conservancy, Falmouth Harbour Commissioner, Natural England, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage) and underwater filming (e.g. for the BBC, CBC (Canada) and ITV).

My work attracts media attention, clink links for BBC reports

'Jacuzzi vents' model CO₂future. 2012 link
Ocean life under threat 2012 link

Metabolomics - ocean acidification. Material World 2012 link
Falmouth sailors' concern for marine conservation plans. 2011 link
Scottish Seas resilient against CO2 acidification. 2011 link
Hi-tech attempt to save coral. 2011 link
Census discovers 5,000 marine species. 2010 link
In pictures: Coral reefs under threat. 2010 link
'Coral lab' offers acidity insight. 2009 link
Global warming, carbon dioxide and the oceans. 2009 link
Natural lab shows sea's acid path. 2009 link
Scientists explore coldwater reef. 2007 link
Napoli sea fans appear undamaged. 2007 link
Destruction of coral reefs. 2005 link
Cold water coral. Material World 2005 link
SOS call for Ireland's deep coral. 2005 link
Trawlers 'smashing' cold-water corals. 2002 link

UoP Research group membership

Marine Biology & Ecology Research Centre (MBERC)

Other research

Research degrees awarded to supervised students
PhD 2004 Nick Kamenos , Recruitment of commercial species to maerl.
MRes 2006 Hayley Miles, Effects of ocean acidification on the sea urchin Psammechinus miliaris.
MRes 2008 Emma Ransome, Effects of ocean acidification on intertidal organisms.
Diploma Thesis 2008 Tina Kerby, Seamount fisheries (Erasmus placement from Kiel, Germany).
MSc 2008 Katie Wanner-Halder, Gorgonian calcification.
MRes 2008 Gemma Veneruso, Gorgonian genetics.
MRes 2008 Amanda Hopes, Transformation systems in coccolithophores.
PhD 2008 Jayme Lohr, Viral disease in corals.
MRes 2009 Samantha Ottolangui, Calcification in coccolithophores.
MRes 2009 Rebecca Lumbis, Effects of marine fisheries closures in SW England 1990-2007.
MRes 2009 Maria Rousou, Seasonality in fisheries discards in Cyprus.
MRes 2010 Thomas Hinman, Ecological niche modelling of seagrass in the UK.

PhD 2012 Vivienne Johnson, Effects of increasing CO2 on microalgae.

MRes 2012 Matthew Keys, Coccolithophore culture experiments.

MRes 2012 Sarah Heath, pH homeostasis in marine phytoplankton.
MRes 2012 Giuseppe Sauria, Amphipods along pCO2 gradients (Erasmus placement from Ancona, Italy).

Grants & contracts
Grants since 2008

1) EU ASSEMBLE Gulf of Aqaba: a Noah's Ark of heat resistant corals? (4000 Euros) 2013-14 PI
2) Marine Institute Small Collaborative Research Grant (£5K) Holocene sea level rise and the separation of Jersey from France 2014-15 Co-I (PI Chris Smart).
3) EU MARES Seagrass physiology (122400 euros) 2013-2016 Co-I (PI R Santos University of the Algarve)

4) NERC Scaling empirically derived ocean acidification responses to naturally assembled systems (72000) 2013-14 Co-I (PI M Solan, Southampton Uni)

5) NERC Response of benthic photosynthetic organisms to increased CO2 workshop funding (£19K) 2013 Co-I (PI C Brownlee, MBA Plymouth)

6) EU MARES Zooplankton ecology on coral reefs, Papua New Guinea (122400 euros) 2012-2016 Co-I

7) EU COST Action ES0906: Seagrass productivity: from genes to ecosystem management (funding for meetings) 2012 Co-I. (PI R Santos University of the Algarve)
8) EU MARES Effects of ocean acidification at Methana, Greece (122400 euros) 2011-15 PI.

9) EU FP7 MedSeA (£180000) 2011-13 PI.

10) NERC PhD studentship with additional HEFCE support ( £89K) Assessing the effects of long-term ocean acidification at volcanic CO₂ vents 2010-14 PI.
11) Marine Institute PhD studentship (£58K) Assessing effects of ocean acidification on marine autotrophs 2009-12 PI.
12) Consultancy for Falmouth Habour Commissioner assessing impacts of anchoring in Falmouth Bay (£3K) 2010-11 PI.
13) Consultancy for Moody International Ltd. (£4.5K) American scallop MSC assessment. 2010-13.PI.
14) Estée Fairbairn Foundation (£38K) Satellite-based fisheries management 2007-10 PI.
15) SWRDA (£38K) Using spatial fisheries data to plan renewable energy developments. 2008-10 PI.
16) DEFRA (£458K) Lyme Bay - A Case Study: Measuring recovery of benthic species; assessing potential 'spillover' effects and socio-economic changes. 08-11 Co-I. (PI M Attrill, Plymouth Uni)
17) EU FP7 €354,597 Knowledge-based sustainable management for Europe's Seas. 08-13 Co-I. (PI Attrill Plymouth Uni)
18) EU INTEREG €213,730 CHannel integrated Approach for marine Resource Management 09-12 CoI. (PI S Votier Plymouth Uni)

19) Falmouth Harbour Commission dredging assessment (£3K) 2009 PI.

20) Leverhulme Trust (£80K) Ecological effects of volcanic gas vents on marine benthos. 07-09 PI.
21) Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (£17.7K) Projects on maerl physiology, Limaria hians and Eunicella verrucosa 04-8 PI.
22) Royal Society University Research Fellowship (£265K) 02-09 PI.

Creative practice & artistic projects
I produce underwater videos using SCUBA for teaching and TV, for example

http://www.conservancy.co.uk/page/Marine-Life/372/

I presented a series of interactive lectures on the latest discoveries in marine biology at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, 2-6 July 2007 in London.

Publications

Publications since 2008

Hall-Spencer JM, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Martin S, Ransome E, Fine M, Turner SM, Rowley SJ,Tedesco D, Buia M-C (2008) Volcanic carbon dioxide vents reveal ecosystem effects of ocean acidification. Nature 454, 96-99. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/114na1.pdf

Martin S, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Ransome E, Rowley S, Buia M-C, Gattuso J-P, Hall-Spencer JM (2008) Effects of naturally acidified seawater on seagrass calcareous epibionts. Biology Letters 4, 689-692. 

2009

Ellis RP, Bersey J, Rundle SD, Hall-Spencer JM, Spicer JI (2009) Subtle but significant effects of CO2 acidified sea water on embryos of the intertidal snail, Littorina obtusata. Aquatic Biology, 5, 41-48.

Hall-Spencer JM, Rauer E (2009) Champagne seas - foretelling the ocean's future? Journal of Marine Education, 25, 11-12.  

Hall-Spencer JM, Tasker M, Soffker M, Christiansen S, Rogers S, Campbell M, Hoydal K (2009) The design of Marine Protected Areas on High Seas and territorial waters of Rockall. Marine Ecology Progress Series 397, 305-308.

Tittensor DP, Baco-Taylor AR, Brewin P, Clark MR, ConsalveyM, Hall-Spencer JM, Rowden AA, Schlacher T, Stocks K, Rogers AD (2009) Predicting global habitat suitability for stony corals on seamounts. Journal of Biogeography, 36, 1111-1128.

2010

Barry JP, Hall-Spencer JM, Tyrell T (2010) In situ perturbation experiments: natural venting sites, spatial/temporal gradients in ocean pH, manipulative in situ pCO2 perturbations. In Riebesell U, Fabry VJ, Hansson L & Gattuso J-P (Eds.) Guide to Best Practices in Ocean Acidification Research and Data Reporting Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union pp 123-136.  

Cigliano M, Gambi MC, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Patti FP, Hall-Spencer JM (2010) Effects of ocean acidification on invertebrate settlement. Marine Biology 157, 2489-2502.

Clark MR, Rowden AA, Schlacher T, Williams A, Consalvey M, Stocks KI, Rogers AD,O'Hara TD, White M, Shank TM, Hall-Spencer JM (2010) The ecology of seamounts: structure, function and human impacts. Annual Reviews in Marine Science 2, 253-278.

Dias B, Hart M, Smart C, Hall-Spencer JM (2010). Modern seawater acidification: the response of foraminifers to high-CO₂conditions in the Mediterranean Sea. Journal of the Geological Society, London 167, 843-846.

Le Guilloux E, Hall-Spencer JM, Soeffker MK, Olu-Le Roy K (2010) Association between the squat lobster Gastroptychus formosus (Filhol, 1884) and cold-water corals in the North Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association, UK 90, 1363-1369.

Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Lombardi C, Cocito S, Hall-Spencer JM, Gambi MC. (2010) Effects of ocean acidification and high temperatures on the bryozoan Myriapora truncata at natural CO2 vents. Marine Ecology 31, 447-456.

Tittensor DP, Baco AR, Hall-Spencer JM, Orr JC, Rogers AD (2010) Seamounts as refugia from ocean acidification for cold-water stony corals. Marine Ecology 31, 212-225.

2011

Barry JP, Widdicombe S, Hall-Spencer JM (2011) Effects of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity and ecosystem function. In Gattuso JP & Hansson L (eds) Ocean acidification. Oxford University Press.

Hall-Spencer JM (2011) No reason for complacency. Nature Climate Change 1, 174.

Hall-Spencer, J., Söffker M. K., Thomsen L., Unnithan V. (2011) Deep-water corals along the Norwegian contintental margin: Multidisciplinary studies on Sula Ridge, Traena Reef, Røst Reef, Floholmen and Sotbakken. In Klages M. and Thiede J. (Eds.). The Expedition of the Research Vessel “Polarstern” to the Arctic in 2007 (ARK-XXII/1a-c). Reports on Polar and Marine Research, 627, 250 pp. 8.

Hernandez-Kantun J, Rindi F, Riosmena R, Maggs C, Hall-Spencer J (2011) Molecular phylogeny and phylogeography of maerl-forming corallines in northern Europe. European Journal of Phycology 46, 64-64.

Johnson VR, Brownlee, C, Rickaby REM, Graziano M, Milazzo M, Hall-Spencer, JM (2011) Responses of marine benthic microalgae to elevated CO₂. Marine Biology doi:10.1007/s00227-011-1840-2

Kerrison P, Hall-Spencer JM, Suggett D, Hepburn LJ, Steinke M (2011) Assessment of pH variability at coastal CO2 vents for ocean acidification studies. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 94, 129-137.

Porzio L, Buia MC, Hall-Spencer JM (2011) Effects of ocean acidification on macroalgal communities. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 400, 278-287.

Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Houlbrèque F, Tambutté E, Boisson F, Baggini C, Patti FP, Jeffree R, Fine M, Foggo A, Gattuso J-P, Hall-Spencer JM (2011) Coral and mollusc resistance to ocean acidification adversely affected by warming. Nature Climate Change 1, 308-312.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/269na1.pdf

Söffker M, Sloman KA, Hall-Spencer JM (2011) In situ observations of fish associated with coral reefs off Ireland. Deep-Sea Research Part 1 58, 818-825.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/270na1.pdf

2012

Arnold T, Mealey C, Leahey H, Miller AW, Hall-Spencer JM, Milazzo M, Maers K (2012) Ocean acidification and the loss of protective phenolics in seagrasses. PLoS ONE 7(4): e35107.

Hahn S, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Griesshaber E, Schmahl WW, Buhl D, Hall-Spencer JM, Baggini C, Fehr KT, Immenhauser A (2012) Marine bivalve shell geochemistry and ultrastructure from modern low pH environments: environmental effect versus experimental bias. Biogeosciences 9, 1897-1914.

Hall-Spencer JM, Rodolfo-Metalpa R (2012) Effects of ocean acidification on Mediterranean coastal habitats. In Stambler N (ed.) Life in the Mediterranean Sea: A look at habitat changes. Nova Science Publishers Inc. p 671-684. ISBN: 978-1-61209-644-5

Hernandez-Kantun JJ, Rindi F, Riosmena-Rodríguez R, Maggs CA, Hall-Spencer JM, Peña V (2012) Molecular diversity of maerl-forming corallines (Corallinales, Rhodophyta). Journal of Phycology 48, S16-S16Hilmi N, Allemand D, Dupont S, Safa A, Haraldsson G, Nunes PD, Moore C, Hattam C, Reynaud S, Hall-Spencer JM, Fine M, Turley C, Jeffree R, Orr J, Munday PL,Cooley S (2012) Towards improved socio-economic assessments of ocean acidification's impacts. Marine Biology. DOI 10.1007/s00227-012-2031-5

Johnson VR, Russell BD, Fabricius K, Brownlee C, Hall-Spencer JM (2012) Temperate and tropical brown macroalgae thrive, despite decalcification, along natural CO2 gradients. Global Change Biology 18, 2792-2803

Kletou D, Hall-Spencer JM (2012) Threats to ultraoligotrophic marine ecosystems. In Cruzado A (ed) Marine Ecosystems. InTech - Open Access Publisher. ISBN 979-953-307-430-5.
http://www.intechopen.com/articles/show/title/threats-to-ultraoligotrophic-marine-ecosystems

Lidbury I, Johnson V, Hall-Spencer JM, Munn CB & Cunliffe M (2012) Community-level response of coastal microbial biofilms to ocean acidification in a natural carbon dioxide vent ecosystem. Marine Pollution Bulletin 64, 1063-1066.

Russell BD, Harley CDG, Wernberg T, Mieszkowska N, Widdicombe S, Hall-Spencer JM, Connell SD (2012) Predicting ecosystem shifts requires new approaches that integrate the effects of climate change across entire systems. Biology Letters 8, 164-166.

Sabatier P, Reyss JL, Hall-Spencer JM, Colin C, Frank N, Tisnérat-Laborde N, Bordier L, Douville E (2012) 210Pb-226Ra chronology reveals rapid growth rate of Madrepora oculata and Lophelia pertusa on world's largest cold-water coral reef. Biogeosciences 9, 1253-1265.

Suggett DJ, Hall-Spencer JM, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Boatman TG, Payton R, Pettay DT, Johnson VR, Warner ME & Lawson T (2012) Sea anemones may thrive in a high CO2 world. Global Change Biology 18, 3015-3025

Yesson C, Taylor ML, Tittensor DP, Davies AJ, Guinotte J, Baco A, Black J, Hall-Spencer JM, Rogers AD (2012) Global habitat suitability of cold-water octocorals. Journal of Biogeography 39, 1278-1292

2013

Beare DJ, McQuatters-Gollup A, van der Hammen, T, Machiels M, Teoh SJ, Hall-Spencer JM (2013) Long-term trends in calcifying plankton and pH in the North Sea. PLOS ONE 8, e61175

Boatta F, D’Alessandro W, Gagliano AL, Liotta M, Milazzo M, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Hall-Spencer JM, Parello F (2013) Geochemical survey of Levante Bay, Vulcano Island (Italy) and its suitability as a natural laboratory for the study of ocean acidification. Marine Pollution Bulletin DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.01.029.

Calosi P, Rastrick SPS, Graziano M, Thomas SC, Baggini C, Carter HA, Hall-Spencer JM, Milazzo M, Spicer JI (2013) Acid-base and ion-regulation capacity-dependent distribution of sea urchins living near shallow water CO2 vents. Marine Pollution Bulletin DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.11.040.

Goodwin C, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Picton B & Hall-SpencerJM (in press) Effects of ocean acidification on sponge communities. Marine Ecology

Pascelli C, Riul P, Riosmena-Rodriguez, Scherner F, Nunes M, Hall-Spencer JM, Cabral de Oliveira E & Horta P (2013) Seasonal and depth-driven changes in rhodolith bed structure and associated macroalgae off Arvoredo island (southeastern Brazil). Aquatic Botany DOI:10.1016/j.aquabot.2013.05.009

Pettit LR, Hart MB, Medina-Sánchez AN, Smart CW, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Hall-Spencer JM; Prol-Ledesma RM (2013) Benthic foraminifera show some resilience to ocean acidificationin the northern Gulf of California, Mexico. Marine Pollution Bulletin

Russell BD, Connell SD, Uthicke S, Muehllehner N, Fabricius KE & Hall-Spencer JM (2013) Future seagrass beds: increased productivity leading to carbon storage? Marine Pollution Bulletin http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.01.031

Turra A, Cróquer A, Carranza A, Mansilla A, Areces A, Werlinger C, Bayón C, Nassar C, Plastino E, Schwindt E, Scarabino F, Ho F, Figueroa FL, Berchez F, Hall-Spencer J, Soto L, Buckeridge MS, Copertino M, Széchy MT, Ghilardi-Lopes N, Horta P, Coutinho R, Fraschetti S & Leão Z (2013) Global environmental changes: setting priorities for Latin American coastal habitats. Global Change Biology. DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12186

Reports & invited lectures

Reports, published conference proceedings and policy documents since 2008

Attrill MJ, Fowell S, Jackson EL, Hall-Spencer JM, Langmead O, Mangi S,Parkin M, Sheehan EV, Stevens, T. 2008. Lyme Bay – a case-study: measuring recovery of benthic species; assessing potential "spillover" effects and socio-economic changes, Biannual Report, October 2008. Report to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from the University of Plymouth-led consortium. Plymouth: University of Plymouth Enterprise Ltd. 13pp.

Auster PJ, Bergstad OA, Brock R, Colaco A, Duran Munoz P, Ellwood H, Golding N, Grehan A, Hall-Spencer J, Howell K, Ingels J, Kenchington E, McIntyre F, Monot L, Mortensen PB, Neat F, Nieto-Conde F, Pinto C, Ross S, Vinnichenko V, Watling L (2013) Report of the ICES\NAFO Joint Working Group on Deep-water Ecology (WGDEC), 11–15 March 2013, Floedevigen, Norway. ICES CM 2013/ACOM:28. 95 pp.

Brock R, Hall-Spencer JM et al. (2010) Report of the ICES/NAFO Joint Working Group on Deep-water Ecology (WGDEC). ICES CM 2010/ACOM:26.

Gambi MC, Hall-Spencer JM, Cigliano M, Cocito S, Lombardi C, Lorenti M, Patti FP,Porzio L, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Scipione MB, Buia MC (2010) Using volcanic marine CO₂ vents to study the effects of ocean acidification on benthic biota: highlights from Castello Aragonese d'Ischia (Tyrrhenian Sea). Biol. Mar. Mediterr. 17, 86-88.

Hahn S, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Griesshaber E, Schmal WW, Buhl D, Hall-Spencer JM,Baggini C, Immenhauser A (2011) Exploring the geochemistry and shell ultrastructure of bivalves as archives of past ocean acidification events: recent Mytilidae in a natural acidic setting in Ischia (Italy, Mediterranean Sea). Geophysical Research Abstracts 13, EGU 2011-7130.

Hall-Spencer JM (2009) Natural CO₂vents reveal ecological tipping points due to ocean acidification. Global Change Newsletter 23, 30.

Hall-Spencer (2011) Port of Falmouth maerl 'recovery' report. www.marinemanagement.org.uk/licensing/public_register/cases/documents/falmouth/maerl_recovery_report.pdf

Hall-Spencer J, Clark M, Consalvey M, Rowden A, Stocks K & Schlacher T (2011) A celebration of life on seamounts. Porcupine Marine Natural History Society Newsletter 30, 54-56. ISSN 1466-0369.

Hall-Spencer JM, Kelly J & Maggs CA (2010) Background document for maerl. OSPAR Commission, 491/2010 36pp.

Hall-Spencer JM, Munn C & Hiscock K (2009) Scientific divers quantify first known outbreaks of cold water coral disease. Institut fur Geology 29,45-48. ISSN 1433-1284.

Hall-Spencer JM & Rodolfo-Metalpa R (2009) Using scientific diving to investigate the long-term effects of ocean acidification at CO2 vents. Institut fur Geology 29,72-76. ISSN 1433-1284.

Hall-Spencer JM & Rodolfo-Metalpa R (2009) Loss of Mediterranean marine biodiversity in a high-CO₂ world. CIESM 2008. Impacts of acidification on biological, chemical and physical systems in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. No. 36 in CIESM Workshop Monographs [F.Briand Ed.], 124 pages, Monaco.

Hall-Spencer JM & Stehfest K (2009) Background document for Lophelia pertusa reefs. OSPAR Commission, 423/2009 32pp. ISBN 978-1-906840-63-1.

Hall-Spencer JM, Stehfest KM & Wheeler AJ (2010) Background document for carbonate mounds. OSPAR Commission, 489/201021pp. ISBN 978-1-907390-30-2.

Hart MB, Dias BB, Smart CW, Hall-Spencer JM, Pettit L (2011) The response of foraminifera to modern seawater acidification: a real-time proxy for Paleogene hypothermal events. Berichte Geol. B-A, 85, ISSN 1017-8880.

Hart M, Dias B, Wall-Palmer D, Smart C, Hall-Spencer JM (2011) Response of pteropods and foraminifera to changing CO2 and pH: examples from the Mediterranean Sea. Geophysical Research Abstracts 13, EGU 2011-2472.

Hourigan TF, Boutillier J, Clark M, Hain S, Hall-Spencer JM, Kenchington E, Roberts JM, Tracey D (2008) The status ofcold-water coral communities of the world. In: Status of coral reefs ofthe world. IUCN, Switzerland.

Martin S, Clavier J, Thouzeau G, Chauvaud L, Hall-Spencer JM & Gattuso J-P (2009) The role of coralline algae in carbon and carbonate cycles and their response to ocean acidification and global warming. Proceedings of the 3^rd International Rhodolith Workshop – Buzios, Brazil 1-5 December 2009, p 10.

Martin S, Gattuso J-P, Hall-Spencer JM (2012) Impact of ocean acidification on Mediterranean coralline algae. Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research http://www.imber.info/index.php/News/Newsletters/Issue-n-20-May-2012#toc_3_12

Neat F, Hall-Spencer JM et al. (2012) Report of the ICES/NAFO Joint Working Group on Deep-water Ecology (WGDEC). ICES CM 2012/ACOM:29. http://www.ices.dk/reports/ACOM/2012/WGDEC/wgdec_2012.pdf

Passaro M, Ziveri P, Milazzo M, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Hall-Spencer JM (2011) Exploring CO₂ vents at Vulcano Island, Mediterranean Sea, to study planktonic calcifier response to long-term changes in carbonate chemistry.Geophysical Research Abstracts 13, EGU2011-12015.

Pettit L, Hart MB, Medina-Sánchez A, Smart CW, Collins P, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Hall-Spencer JM, Prol Ledesma RM (2011) Foraminifera resist ocean acidification in the Wagner Basin under conditions similar to high CO2 environments of the Cretaceous-Paleogene. 7th Alexander vonHumboldt International Conference. Ocean acidification: consequences for marine ecosystems and society. EGU Topical Conference Series, Penang Malaysia 20–24 June 2011.

Rodolfo-Metalpa R & Hall-Spencer JM (2008) Ecological effects of volcanic CO2 vents. JMBA Global Marine Environment 8, 20-21.

Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Hall-Spencer JM (2011) Corals, bryozoans and gastropods are able to calcify in acidified seawater. 7th Alexander von Humboldt International Conference. Ocean acidification: consequences for marine ecosystems and society. EGU Topical Conference Series, Penang, Malaysia 20–24 June 2011.

Rogers AD, Clark MR, Hall-Spencer JM & Gjerde KM (2008) A scientific guide to the FAO draft international guidelines (December 2007) for the management of deep-sea fisheries in the High Seas. IUCN Switzerland 48 pp.

Smith A, Dell A, Edwards D, Hall-Spencer JM,Hopper A, Jones R, Lazzeroni C, Skinner J & Wadler P (2008) Response to HEFCE’s consultation on the assessment and funding of higher education research post-2008. Royal Society Policy Document 06/08. 9pp.

Conferences organised
Conferences and workshops organised since 2008.

1. Horizon scanning workshop: future of NE Atlantic flora in a high CO2 World (NERC funded) Plymouth 4-6 June 2013.

2. Training Workshop: CO2 vents as natural laboratories for ocean acidification studies,Vulcano Island, Italy, 16-23 March 2013.

3. Training workshop: preparing for marine coastal change, Sylt Island, Germany 10-12 Sept 2012.

4. Training Workshop: CO2 vents as natural laboratories for ocean acidification studies,Vulcano Island, Italy, 25-27 May 2011.

5. Co-convenor of session on ‘Impact of climate change and ocean acidification on the Mediterranean Sea’ European Geosciences Union, Vienna, 3-8 April 2011.

6. Taxonomic Workshop: identification of sponges, University of Plymouth, 5-9 July 2010.

7. Taxonomic Workshop: identification of crustose seaweeds, Marine Biological Association, UK 1-5 Feb 2010.

8. Porcupine Marine Natural History Society Annual Conference, University of Plymouth, 27-29 March 2009.

9. International steering Committee of the 4th Deep Sea Coral Symposium, New Zealand, 1-5 Dec 2008.

Other academic activities
Reviewer of international grant applications for the EU (FP7, SEAS-ERA) and national funding councils in Australia (CSIRO), Austria (Austrian Science Foundation), Israel (the German-Israeli Foundation), Italy (Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca), Norway (Norwegian Research Council), Portugal (Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia) the UK (Natural Environment Research Council) and the USA (National Undersea Research Centre, NOAA Sea Grants and the National Science Foundation). Reviewer of scientific papers for the American Fisheries Society, Aquatic Conservation, Biological Conservation, Biology Letters, Bioscience, Bulletin of Marine Science, Deep -Sea Research Part I, Estuarine and Coastal Shelf Science, Ecology Letters, European Journal of Phycology, Fish and Fisheries, Geophysical Research Letters, Global Change Biology, ICES Journal of Marine Science, Journal of Ecology, Journal of Environmental Monitoring, Journal of Experimental Biology and Ecology, Journal of the Marine Biological Association, UK, Limnology & Oceanography, Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Marine Ecology Progress Series, Marine Environmental Research, Marine and Freshwater Systems, Nature, Nature Climate Change, Nature Geoscience, Naturwissenschaften, Oikos, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Phycologia, PLoS One and Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Additional information
Royal Society MP-Scientist pairing scheme participant 2004-5 (paired with David George Lib. Dem. MP covering fisheries)
Royal Society Civil service-Scientist pairing scheme participant 2008 (paired with Jo Myers DEFRA covering biodiversity)

Links

Ocean acidification: a National Geographic article

http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/jason-hall-spencer

The Changing Sea: award winning documentary featuring our research at Plymouth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhU5ckSLGE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OGbLjTjtjs&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Euronews documentary my first go at presenting

News Feature in Nature Magazine

Sciencebridge: outreach interview for schools

Australian radio interview

Royal Society Annual Science Festival Talk (search for 'hall-spencer')
Science Festival Interview 'Ireland's Hidden depths'
Ocean acidification interview 'The climate lab'
Hermes interview
Naked Scientist Interview
British Council Red Sea Research

Bioscience article May 2013

Ocean acidification tour featuring UK research released by Google

For the first time the story of ocean acidification can now be viewed on a special tour created by Google using Google Earth. Narrated by Dan Laffoley (International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN) the video takes the viewer around the planet to understand what ocean acidification is, see some of the latest research into it and hear about how the consequences of ocean acidification are already being felt by the multimillion dollar shellfish industry in the USA. Experts feature in the video in order to further explain ocean acidification, including Marine Ecologist Prof. Jason Hall Spencer (Plymouth University).

LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAwZ7VCYn44