Can marine conservation contribute to food security?

Lessons from Lyme Bay and the Fish Intel Network
Leading marine conservation with Dr Emma Sheehan
As we strive to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, the lessons learned from the UK's best example of a continuous long-term Marine Protected Area monitoring study are clear – conservation works best when it's inclusive, grounded in evidence, and designed to meet the needs of both ecosystems and people. Insights from two University of Plymouth initiatives are shaping the future of marine conservation: the Lyme Bay monitoring programme and the Fish Intel underwater acoustic receiver network. These projects highlight how evidence-based approaches can drive ecological recovery while benefiting fisheries and coastal communities.
 
 

Does a whole-site approach to marine protection offer broader benefits?

Since 2008, the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area has been protected from bottom-towed fishing, creating space for the ecosystem to recover. Over 16 years of continuous annual monitoring, using a wide range of innovative underwater technology, we've seen remarkable ecological gains: reef species abundance has increased by 95%, and fish diversity and abundance are up to 400% higher compared to unprotected areas.
These ecological advances suggest the potential for broader benefits, including burgeoning fish populations that can contribute to sustainable fisheries in surrounding areas. The recovery of commercially valuable species such as lobster and scallops within the protected area demonstrates the value of safeguarding marine habitats for biodiversity and livelihoods alike.

By taking a whole-site approach – protecting the entire ecosystem rather than focusing on individual features – we've shown how conservation can support both ecological restoration and the resilience of coastal communities. Lyme Bay offers a hopeful model for balancing marine protection with sustainable resource use.

Emma SheehanDr Emma Sheehan
Associate Professor of Marine Ecology (Research)

 
 
 
 
 
 

Can underwater technology help us to better track marine connectivity?

The Fish Intel Network expands on the local focus of our Lyme Bay monitoring by exploring how marine species move across larger areas. Using around 200 underwater receivers and data from over 1,500 tagged fish and crustaceans, our acoustic telemetry network is uncovering patterns in the movements of species like European bass, pollack, rays and lobster along the south coast of the UK and beyond. Crucially, the work involves close collaboration with local fishing communities and, by working together, we have identified 13 million individual animal detections across six years of continuous data.
This information is vital for effective fisheries management. By identifying critical habitats, migration routes and seasonal behaviours, we can develop management plans that align with the natural rhythms of marine species. For example, protecting spawning and nursery grounds at the right time to help safeguard key life stages while supporting sustainable fishing practices.
Emma Sheehan Lyme Bay fish tagging
Restorative offshore aquaculture Photo by John Holmyard

Restorative offshore aquaculture

Dr Emma Sheehan 's team have been performing long-term monitoring of the UK's first large-scale mussel farm with the aim of providing scientific evidence on the ecosystem restoration benefits of offshore shellfish aquaculture.
Current work – including the Ropes to Reefs FISP project – incorporates techniques such as acoustic telemetry and underwater tracking to study how wild animals use the habitat provided by the mussel farm, which includes commercially important fish and crustacean species. This deepens our understanding of the farm's interactions, from individual species to the whole ecosystem, while supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
 
 
 

The need for long-term investment

The future of the Lyme Bay project and the Fish Intel Network remains uncertain due to funding challenges, despite the progress made. Long-term monitoring and telemetry projects need consistent support to maintain their impact. Without it, we risk losing data that underpins effective conservation and fisheries management.
This isn't just about funding research; it's about ensuring the resilience of marine ecosystems and the wellbeing of the communities that rely on them. Looking ahead, it will be vital to consider how we can continue to support projects like these to secure a sustainable future for our oceans and coastal communities.
Lyme Bay
Deploying equipment in Lyme Bay
The seabed at Lyme Bay Dr Luke Holmes
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries

At Plymouth, a broad perspective on aquaculture and fisheries management is enabled by our transdisciplinary, systems-thinking approach embraces.
From the health and nutrition of farmed fish, crustaceans and bivalves, to marine conservation, fish tracking, habitats and natural capital, our research explores how all of these diverse elements help contribute towards responsible marine and freshwater food production, and, in doing so, how they support coastal economies and contribute to the national food security agenda.
Responsible and Restorative Aquaculture
 
 

More information related to this article

Lyme Bay Emma Sheehan

applied Marine Ecosystems Research (aMER)

Getty lyme bay

Monitoring the recovery of Lyme Bay

Pollack

Fish Intel Network