Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop
Profiles

Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop

Associate Professor of Marine Conservation

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

Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
  • Climate change
  • Marine policy
  • Marine conservation
  • Fishing
  • Plankton
  • Marine environment
  • Government policy
  • Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Biography

Biography

I am an interdisciplinary marine conservation ecologist and associate professor in marine conservation whose teaching and research focus on the generation of national and international impact through the integration of scientific results into the policy process. I use natural and social science skills and expertise to enable the sustainable use of our marine and coastal environments through science. My key areas of scientific interest are the separation of climate responses in biodiversity from those due to anthropogenic disturbances, ecosystem responses to the combined effects of direct pressures and climate change, and linking ecological changes to manageable human pressures. I actively create impact through science-policy knowledge exchange, working closely with policy makers at the UK, European and international levels, to deliver policy informed by the best available evidence. I lead the UK’s and OSPAR’s implementations of the UK Marine Strategy/Marine Strategy Framework Directive for pelagic habitats, which includes the coordination, development and implementation of pelagic indicators and environmental targets. I’ve also held two NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellowships and a Defra Chief Scientific Advisor’s Systems Research Fellowship. I encourage my students to understand the practical policy process and how and why scientific research should be applied and used in a policy and conservation context.     
I love teaching and I try to encourage my students to see why plankton are key ecosystem indicators, to develop an understanding of the practical policy process, and to understand how and why scientific research should be applied and used in a policy and conservation context.
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/plankton-policy

Qualifications

Professional experience 


Associate Professor of Marine Conservation University of Plymouth (2015-Present)
  • Associate Head of School – International (2022-Present)
  • Honorary Fellow – Plymouth Marine Laboratory
  • Lecturer in Marine Conservation
  • NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellow: Interpreting and targeting NERC-funded research outputs to inform and influence marine policy
  • Leadership of Marine Strategy Framework Directive implementation for pelagic habitats for the UK and OSPAR
  • Delivery of scientific advice to UK and international policy-makers
  • Generation and publication of policy-relevant research

Company director Ecosystem Approaches Limited (2019 – present)
  • Environmental consultancy
  • Spatial analysis
  • Marine conservation and biodiversity advice
  • Indicator development
  • Systems thinking
  • Science- policy communication
  • Impact creation
  • Social media communication
Science and Policy Research Fellow Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (2010-2015)
  • NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellow: Interpreting and targeting NERC-funded research outputs to inform and influence marine policy
  • Delivery of scientific advice to UK and international policy-makers
  • Generation and publication of policy-relevant research
  • The securement of policy-relevant research and contract funding, from UK, EU and international bodies
  • Leadership of Marine Strategy Framework Directive implementation for pelagic habitats at the UK and OSPAR levels
  • SAHFOS PI on EU and INTERREG projects
  • Coordination of SAHFOS Knowledge Exchange activities, including leading development of SAHFOS Knowledge Exchange strategy and line management of KE team
Associate Lecturer Plymouth University (2007-2015)
  • Design and delivery of lectures and practicals for 2nd and 3rd year undergraduates and MRes students
  • Dissertation supervision
Post Doctoral Research Fellow Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (2008-2010)
  • Coordination of ICES Historical Plankton Digitization Project
  • Coordination of an FP7 project proposal
  • Provision of scientific advice to UK and international policy-makers
  • Plankton analysis
  • SAHFOS PI on EU FP7 KnowSeas
Post Doctoral Research Fellow University of Plymouth (2007-2008)
  • Coordination of a successful FP7 project proposal
  • Provision of scientific advice to UK and international policy-makers
Research Assistant University of Plymouth (2004-2007)
  • Provision of research and coordination support to FP6 project (ELME)
  • Leadership of individual research programme
  • Website development and maintenance
GIS Technician and Consultant C&C Solutions, Inc (2001-2002)
  • Assisted with and managed GIS projects using ArcInfo, ArcView, and ArcGIS
  • GIS analysis, project management and organisation, client relations, map design, and database implementation skills were utilized daily
Long-term Teaching Assistant Maritime and Science Technology Academy High School (1999-2001)
  • Provision of regularly scheduled long-term teaching assignments at a competitive marine-themed magnet school, including formulation of lesson plans and assessment of students
Lab and Teaching Assistant University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) (1997–2000)
  • Provision of lab, teaching and field support to researchers and staff at the Marine Geology and Geophysics Stable Isotope Laboratory and Department of Marine Affairs and Policy

 Education and qualifications


HSE Professional Scuba Diver (2023)

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2017)
PhD Phytoplankton as indicators for eutrophication in Europe’s regional seas.University of Plymouth (2004 - 2008)
MA (Hons)Marine Affairs and Policy and GIS. University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) (2000 - 2001). Dissertation title “Stiltsville: Private ownership in a national park”
BA (Hons)Marine Affairs and Policy (major), Chemistry (minor), Geography and GIS (minor). University of Miami (1996 - 2000). Dissertation title “Anaerobic digestion in the Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris

Professional membership

Honorary Fellow – Plymouth Marine Laboratory (2023- present) 
Defra Senior Policy Fellow – Marine (2019) To develop and apply a systems approach framework across Defra Marine.Plankton and Policy Research Group PI (2015 – present)
British Ecological Society Brexit Policy Working Group(2017 – present)
Defra Network of Evidence Experts(2017 – present)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy(2016 – present)
Defra/HBDSEG Marine Strategy Framework Directive Implementation Group Chair. Leading the UK’s implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive for pelagic habitats (2011 – present)
OSPAR’s Intersessional Correspondence Group on Coordinated Biodiversity Assessment and MonitoringImplementation Group Chair. Leading Europe’s implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive for pelagic habitats (2012 – present)
HBDSEGHealthy and Biologically Diverse Seas Evidence Group. Pelagic lead. (2009 – present)
Defra Marine Ecosystem Health Working Group (2010 – present)
Challenger Society Marine Science and Policy Special Interest GroupCo-founder and co-chair. (2015 –2018)
British Ecological SocietyMember (2016 – present)
Marine Biological AssociationMember (2015 – present)
ICES Working Group on Biodiversity Science Member (2014 – present)
Celtic Seas Partnership Food Web Task GroupMember (2014 – 2016)
Challenger Society for Marine ScienceElected Council member- communications portfolio (2012 – 2016)
SCOR 137Working Group on Global Coastal Phytoplankton Time-series (2010 – 2015)
Project Advisor - INTERREG ISECA(Information System on the Eutrophication of our Coastal Areas) (2012 – 2014)
University of Miami Marine Mammal Stranding Rescue Team(1996 – 2000)
Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

I am the programme lead for MSc Marine Conservation t at the University of Plymouth. I love teaching and I try to encourage my students to see why plankton are key ecosystem indicators, to develop an understanding of the practical policy process, and to understand how and why scientific research should be applied and used in a policy and conservation context.
Degree programs:
 Undergraduate modules: 
  • OS205 Human impacts on marine ecosystems
  • OS307 Conservation, Policy, and Planning
  • OS313 Marine Conservation Residential Field Trip - Scientific diving, Bali
 Masters modules: 
  • MAR532 Marine Conservation Practice
  • MAR533 Marine Conservation Project
  • MBIO505: Marine Conservation Theory

Staff serving as external examiners

University of Edinburgh
Research

Research

Research interests

I’m a marine conservation ecologist whose research focuses on the generation of national and international impact through the integration of scientific results into the policy process. My key areas of interest are the separation of climate responses in the plankton from those due to anthropogenic disturbances, ecosystem responses to the combined effects of policy measures and climate change, and the linking of ecological changes to manageable human pressures. I actively create impact through science-policy knowledge exchange, working closely with policy makers at the UK, European and international levels, to deliver policy informed by sound scientific evidence. I am leading the UK’s and OSPAR’s implementations of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive for pelagic habitats, which includes the coordination, development and management towards operationalisation of pelagic indicators and environmental targets. This work is a direct response to UK and EU policy needs and is required by EU and UK decision makers to support marine management and conservation; I hold a NERC Fellowship to fund this impact work.
I am the PI of the  Plankton and Policy Research Team which focuses on applying and implementing marine conservation policy in the UK and Europe, with an emphasis on planktonic systems. At www.planktonpolicy.orgyou can learn about our ecological research, outreach activities, policy work, and my NERC KE Fellowship activities.

Research groups

Grants & contracts

2023

  • Defra: mNCEA: Pelagic Big Data and Policy
  • NERC Exploring the Frontiers: Understanding trophic links between marine plankton to consumers to improve assessments of UK pelagic habitats
  • Defra: PitPaf – Putting it together: Linking changes in plankton and fisheries

2022

  •  FCDO: A synthesis of West Indian marine biodiversity
  • NERC: BRICS: Biology’s Role In ocean Carbon Storage
  • Defra: mNCEA: Pelagic Big Data and Policy
  • Pico: The missing 80%: Incorporating nano- and pico-plankton into the assessment of pelagic habitats

2021

  • EMFF: North East Atlantic project on biodiversity and eutrophication assessment integration and creation of effective measures (NEA-PANACEA)
  • Defra: Next-level pelagic habitat analysis: Making use of improved data flows to Delve Deeper into Integrated UK Plankton Assessment (DDIPA)
  • JNCC: Ocean acidification and the seabed: how do we detect early warning signals?

2020

  •  Defra Senior Policy Fellow – Marine
  • Defra: Developing and streamlining the Plankton Lifeform tool, analysis and interpretation system (PRADA) 
  • JNCC: Producing an Ecosystem Services Management Guide:  Managing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Multi-Functional Landscapes in Peru.

2019

  • Defra Senior Policy Fellow – Marine
  • Commonwealth Blue Charter – Indicator briefing paper

2018 

  • Medin: Streamlining and Standardising Pelagic Data Flow to Support the MSFD
  • Defra: Formulation of UK pelagic habitats monitoring options.
  • EMFF: Increasing Confidence in Evaluating GES for Regional Assessments of Pelagic Habitats (ICEGRAPH)
  • Defra: Increasing the Confidence in Determining GES for English Pelagic Habitats

2017

  •  NERC: Knowledge Exchange Fellowship: Plankton science for supporting the implementation of marine ecosystem-based management and conservation.
  •  Defra: Chairing of UK plankton expert group for Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Invited Fellowship: Identifying and overcoming challenges to integrating marine scientific research into the Japanese policy process

2016

  • Defra: Assessment of UK plankton for Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
  • Plymouth University: Are Plymouth Sound phytoplankton in Good Environmental Status? Towards the assessment of biodiversity in a human-impacted conservation area.

2015

  • EMFF: Applying an ecosystem approach to (sub) regional habitat assessments (EcApRHA).
  •  NERC: Anniversary Ambassador.

2013

  • INTERREG: Promoting effective governance of the Channel ecosystem (PEGASEAS).
  • NERC: Knowledge Exchange Fellowship: Interpreting and targeting NERC-funded research outputs to inform and influence marine policy.
  •  Defra: MSFD Pelagic Habitats Indicator and Target Research and Development.
  • Defra: MSFD Pelagic Habitats Expert Team leadership for UK and OSPAR. Contract reviewed and extended 6-monthly.
  • EMODNET Biological Traits pilot project: Plankton Biological Traits.

2012

  • EU European Marine Observation Data NETwork (EMODNET) Biology: Provision of CPR data products and scientific advice on data application for implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
  •  Defra: MSFD Pelagic Habitats Team Leadership for UK and OSPAR.
  •  Defra: R&D project to operationalise MSFD indicators and targets.

2011

  • EMODNET Biology: Provision of CPR data products and maps.
  •  National Marine Biological and Analytical Quality Control Scheme (NMBAQC): Employment of the technical secretariat at SAHFOS. Contract renewed annually.

2010

  • INTERREG: Our shared sea: Mechanisms of ecosystem change in the Western Channel (Marinexus): Towing of CPR route, sample analysis, research and data interpretation.

2009

  • JNCC: A marine assessment and monitoring framework for application in UKMMAS and OSPAR for phytoplankton and zooplankton

2008

 
  • €133,774 FP7 Knowledge Based Sustainable Management for Europe’s Seas (KnowSeas): Development and management of operational database, coordination of social media, science-policy research.
  • £3,014 FAO: Preparation of concise overview of harmful algal blooms & fishery product safety.
  • £1,800 Defra: Contribution to report highlighting UK marine biodiversity hotspots.

2007

  •  Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET): Securement of a travel grant to present PhD results at an international scientific conference (ASLO)
Publications

Publications

Journals
Publications

The publication list is separated into four categories: Scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals (published), policy publications, scientific peer-reviewed journal publications in preparation or review, and conference presentations and posters. I have published 44 papers in international journals(with total Impact Factor, [IF] = 195), one book chapter, and multiple high impact policy publications. My work has been cited >2370 times, my h-index is 25and my i10 index is 35.



Appendix 1: Peer-reviewed Scientific publications

Bedford, J., Ostle, C., Johns, D.G., Atkinson, A., Best, M., Bresnan, E., Machairopoulou, M., Graves, C.A., Devlin, M., Milligan, A., Pitois, S., Mellor, A., Tett, P. and McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2020). Lifeform indicators reveal large-scale shifts in plankton across the North-West European shelf. Global Change Biology, 26: 3482-3497. [IF]=8.88

Bedford, J., Ostle, C., Johns, D.G., Budria, A. and McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2020). The influence of temporal scale selection on pelagic habitat biodiversity indicators. Ecological Indicators, 114: 106311. [IF]=2.890

Batten, S.D., Abu-Alhaija, R., Chiba, S., Edwards, M., Graham, G., Jyothibabu, R., Kitchener, J.A., Koubbi, P., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Muxagata, E., Ostle, C., Richardson, A.J., Robinson, K.V., Takahashi, K.T., Verheye, H.M. and Wilson, W., (2019). A Global Plankton Diversity Monitoring Program. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6. [IF]=3.086

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Mitchell, I., vina-Herbon, C., Bedford, J., Addison, P.F.E., Lynam, C.P., Geetha, P.N., Vermeulen, E., Smit, K., Bayley, D.T.I., Morris-Webb, E., Niner, H. and Otto, S.A., (2019). From science to evidence – how biodiversity indicators can be used for effective marine conservation policy and management. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6. [IF]=3.086

Pittman, S., Curry, K., Bedford, J., Fletcher, S., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Lowther, J., Attrill, M.J., Rees, S., Shellock, R., Moseley, K., Gall, S., Rodwell, L. and Williams, M., (2019). Marine Parks for Coastal Cities: A concept for enhanced community well-being, prosperity and sustainable city living. Marine Policy, 103:160-171. [IF]=2.610

Rombouts, I., Simon, N., Aubert, A., Cariou, T., Feunteun, E., Guérin, L., Hoebeke, M., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Rigaut-Jalabert, F. and Artigas, L.F., (2019). Changes in marine phytoplankton diversity: Assessment under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Ecological Indicators, 102: 265-277. [IF]=2.890

McQuatters-Gollop, A.,(2019). Marine Ecological Field Methods. Salvanes, A. G. V., Devine, J., Jensen, K. H., Hestetun, J. T., Sjotun, K., & Glenner, H, Wiley and Sons, 2018, 218 pp. Fish and Fisheries, 20: 390-390. [IF]=6.99

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Atkinson, A., Aubert, A., Bedford, J., Best, M., Bresnan, E., Cook, K., Devlin, M., Gowen, R., Johns, D.G., Machairopoulou, M., Mellor, A., Ostle, C., Scherer, C. and Tett, P., (2019). Plankton lifeforms as a biodiversity indicator for regional-scale assessment of pelagic habitats for policy. Ecological Indicators, 101: 913-925. [IF]=2.890

Bedford, J., Johns, D.G. and McQuatters-Gollop, A.,(2019). A century of change in North Sea plankton communities explored through integrating historical datasets. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 76:104-112. [IF]=2.949

Siddons, B., Glegg, G. and McQuatters-Gollop, A.,(2018). Inter-regional coherence: can Northeast Atlantic pelagic indicators be applied to the Arctic? Marine Policy, 96:53-64. [IF]=2.610

Bedford, J., Johns, D., Greenstreet, S., and McQuatters-Gollop, A.(2018). Plankton as prevailing conditions: a surveillance role for plankton indicators within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Marine Policy, 89:109-115. [IF]=2.610

Addison, P.F.E., Collins, D.J., Trebilco, R., Howe, S., Bax, N., Hedge, P., Jones, G., Miloslavich, P., Roelfsema, C., Sams, M., Stuart-Smith, R.D., Scanes, P., von Baumgarten, P., and McQuatters-Gollop, A.,(2018). A new wave of marine evidence-based management: emerging challenges and solutions to transform monitoring, evaluating, and reporting. ICES Journal of Marine Science, doi: 10.1093/icesjms/fsx216 [IF]=2.949

Capuzzo, E., Lynam, C.P., Stephens, D., Barry, J., Forster, R.M., Greenwood, N., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Silva, T., van Leeuwen, S. M., and Engelhard, G.H., (2018). New data reveal a decline in primary production in the North Sea with implications for zooplankton and fisheries. Global Change Biology, 24: e352-e364. [IF]=8.44

Batten, S.D., Raitsos-Exarchopoulos, D., Danielson, S., Hopcroft, R., Coyle, K. and McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2018). Interannual variability in lower trophic levels on the Alaskan Shelf. Deep Sea Research II, 147:58-68 doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2017.04.023. [IF]=3.986

Dickey-Collas, M., McQuatters-Gollop, A.,Bresnan, E., Kraberg, A.C., Manderson, J.P., Nash, R.D.M., Otto, S.A., Sell, A.F., Tweddle, J.F. and Trenkel, V.M., (2017). Pelagic habitat: exploring the concept of good environmental status. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 74:2333-2341. [IF]=2.949

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Johns, David G., Bresnan, E., Skinner, J., Rombouts, I., Stern, R.F., Aubert, A., Johansen, M., Bedford, J., and Knights, A. (2017). From microscope to management: the critical value of plankton taxonomy to marine policy and biodiversity conservation. Marine Policy,83:1-10. [IF]=2.610

Evariste, E., Claquin, P., Robin, J.-P., Auber, A., McQuatters-Gollop, A. and Dauvin, J.-C. (2016). The Channel Ecosystem, a cross-roads of anthropogenic pressures and scientific studies: lessons acquired from the European INTERREG IV projects (2009-2015). Marine Policy, 63:158-165. [IF]=2.610

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Edwards, M., Helaouët, P., Johns, D.G., Owens, N.J.P., Raitsos, D.E., Schroeder, D., Skinner, J., and Stern, R.F., (2015). The Continuous Plankton Recorder survey: how can long-term phytoplankton datasets deliver Good Environmental Status? Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 162:88-97. [IF]=2.324

Stern, R.F., Picard, K.T., Hamilton, K.M., Walne, A., Tarran, G., Mills, D., McQuatters-Gollop, A.and Edwards, M., (2015). Novel lineage patterns from an automated water sampler to probe marine microbial biodiversity with Ships of Opportunity. Progress in Oceanography, 137: 409-420. [IF]=3.986

Elliott, M., Borja, Á., McQuatters-Gollop, A.,Mazik, K., Birchenough, S., Andersen, J.H., Painting, S., and Peck, M., (2015). Force majeure: will climate change affect our ability to attain Good Environmental Status for marine biodiversity? Marine Pollution Bulletin, 95:7-27. [IF]=2.531

Harrison, P.J., Zingone, A., Mickelson, M.J., Lehtinen, S., Ramaiah, N., Kraberg, A., Sung, J., McQuatters-Gollop, A.and Jakobsen, H.H., (2015). Cell volumes of marine phytoplankton from globally distributed coastal data sets. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 162:130-142. [IF]= 2.324

Zingone, A., Harrison, P.J., Jakobsen, H.H., Kraberg, A., Lehtinen, S., McQuatters-Gollop, A.,O’Brien, T. and Sun, J., (2015). Increasing the quality, comparability and accessibility of phytoplankton species composition time-series data. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 162:151-160. [IF]= 2.324

Evariste, E., Claquin, P., Robin, J.-P., Auber, A., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Fletcher, S., Glegg, G., and Dauvin, J.-C., (2015) What did we learn from PEGASEAS Forum “Science and Governance of the Channel Marine Ecosystem”?. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 93:1-4. [IF]=2.531

Gilbert, A.J., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Langmead, O., Mee, L. and Vermaat, J., (2015). Visions for the North Sea: the societal dilemma of specifying good environmental status. Ambio, 44:142-153. [IF]=2.295

Raitsos, D.E., Pradhan, Y., Lavender, S.J., Hoteit, I., McQuatters-Gollop, A.and Reid, P.C., (2014). From silk to satellite; a half century of ocean colour changes in the Northeast Atlantic. Global Change Biology, 20:2117-2123. [IF]=8.44

Postlethwaite, C.F., Hickman, A.E., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Bryden, H., and Woodworth, P., (2014). Preface: A prospectus for UK marine sustained observations. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society,372, 20130341. [IF] = 2.891

Tett, P., Gowen, R., Painting, S., Elliott, M., Foster, R., Mills, D., Bresnan, E., Capuzzo, E., Fernandes, T., Foden, J., Geider, R., Gilpin, L., Huxham, M., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Malcolm, S., Saux-Picart, S., Platt, T., Racault, M.-F., Sathyendranath, S., Molen, J.v.d. and Wilkinson, M., (2013). A framework for understanding marine ecosystem health. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 494: 1-27. [IF] =2.546

Jessopp, M.J., Cronin, M., Doyle, T.K., Wilson, M., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Newton, S. and Phillips, R.A., (2013). Transatlantic migration by post-breeding puffins: a strategy to exploit a temporarily abundant food resource? Marine Biology, 160:2755-2762. [IF] =2.468

Beare, D., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Hall-Spencer, J., van der Hammen, T., Machiels, M. and Teoh, S.J., (2013). Long-term trends in calcifying plankton and pH in the North Sea. PlosOne, 8:e61175. [IF] = 3.730

Rombouts, I., Beaugrand, G., Fizzala, X., Gaill, F., Greenstreet, S.P.R., Lamare, S., Le Loc’h, F., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Mialet, B., Niquil, N., Percelay, J., Renaud, F., Rossberg, A.G. and Féral, J.P., (2013). Food web indicators under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive: from complexity to simplicity? Ecological Indicators, 29: 246–254. [IF] = 2.890

Beaugrand, G., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Edwards, M. and Goberville, E., (2013). Long-term responses of North Atlantic calcifying plankton to climate change. Nature Climate Change, 3: 263-267. [IF] = 14.472

McQuatters-Gollop, A.(2012). Challenges for implementing the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in a climate of macroecological change. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 370:5636-5655. [IF] = 2.891

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Reid, P.C., Edwards, M., Burkill, P., Castellani, C., Batten, S., Gieskes, W., Beare, D., Bidigare, R., Head, E., Johnson, R., Kahru, M., Koslow, J. and Pena, M., (2011). Is there a decline in marine phytoplankton? Nature 472:E6-E7. [IF] = 38.597

McQuatters-Gollop, A.and Vermaat, J.E. (2011). Covariance among North Sea ecosystem state indicators during the past 50 years - contrasts between coastal and open waters. Journal of Sea Research 65:294-292. [IF] = 1.829

Raitsos, D.E., Lavender, S.J., Maravelias, C.D., Haralabous, J., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Edwards, M., and Reid, P.C., (2011). Macroscale factors affecting diatom abundance: a synergistic use of Continuous Plankton Recorder and satellite remote sensing data. International Journal of Remote Sensing,32:2081-2094 [IF] = 1.138

Tirado, M.C., Clarke, R., Jaykus, L.A., McQuatters-Gollop, A.,and Frank, J.M., (2010). Climate change and food safety: A review. Food Research International, 43: 1745-1765. [IF] = 3.005

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Gilbert, A.J., Mee, L.D., Vermaat, J.E., Artioli, Y., Humborg, C. and Wulff, F., (2009). How well do ecosystem indicators communicate the effects of anthropogenic eutrophication? Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 82:583–596. [IF] = 2.324

Langmead, O., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Mee, L.D., Friedrich, J., Gilbert, A.J., Gomoiu, M.-T., Jackson, E.L., Knudsen, S., Minicheva, G., and Todorova, V., (2009). Recovery or decline of the Northwestern Black Sea: A societal choice revealed by socio-ecological modelling. Ecological Modelling,220: 2927-2939. [IF] = 2.069

Henson, S. A., Raitsos, D.E., Dunne, J.P. and McQuatters-Gollop, A.,(2009). Decadal variability in biogeochemical models: Comparison with a 50-year ocean colour dataset, Geophysical Research Letters, 36:L21601. [IF] = 3.982

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Mee, L.D., Raitsos, D.E. and Shapiro, G., (2008). Non-linearities, regime shifts and recovery: The recent influence of climate on Black Sea chlorophyll. Journal of Marine Systems,74:649-658. [IF] = 2.655

Artioli, Y., Friedrich, J., Gilbert, A., McQuatters-Gollop, A.,Mee, L., Vermaat, J., Wulff, F., Humborg, C., Palmeri, L. and Pollehne, F., (2008). Nutrient budgets for European seas: A measure of the effectiveness of nutrient reduction policies. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 56: 1609-1617. [IF] =2.531

Vermaat, J.E., McQuatters-Gollop, A.,Eleveld, M. and Gilbert, A.J., (2008). Past, present and future nutrient loads of the North Sea: causes and consequences. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 80:53-59. [IF] = 2.324

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Raitsos, D.E., Edwards, M. and Attrill, M.J., (2007). Spatial patterns of diatom and dinoflagellate seasonal cycles in the North – East Atlantic Ocean. Marine Ecology Progress Series,339:301-306. [IF] =2.546

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Raitsos, D.E., Edwards, M., Pradhan, Y., Mee, L.D., Lavender, S.J., and Attrill, M.J., (2007). A long-term chlorophyll dataset reveals regime shift in North Sea phytoplankton biomass unconnected to increasing nutrient levels. Limnology and Oceanography,52:635-648. [IF] = 3.405



Appendix 2: policy publications

Edwards, M., Atkinson, A., Bresnan, E., Helaouët, P., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Ostle, C., Pitois, S. and Widdicombe, C., (2020). Plankton, jellyfish and climate in the North-East Atlantic. MCCIP Science Review 2020: 322–353.

Bedford, J. and McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2019). Developing and applying indicators for marine conservation and management. Commonwealth Blue Charter, London, UK, 17 pp.

Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (McQuatters-Gollop,contributing author), (2019). POSTNOTE: UK Climate Change and Fisheries, No. 604, London, 4 pp.

Hayhow, D., Eaton, M., Stanbury, A., Burns, F., Kirby, W., Bailey, N., Beckmann, B., Bedford, J., Boersch-Supan, P., Coomber, F., Dennis, E., Dolman, S., Dunn, E., Hall, J., Harrower, C., Hatfield, J., Hawley, J., Haysom, K., Hughes, J., Johns, D., Mathews, F., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Noble, D., Outhwaite, C., Pearce-Higgins, J., Pescott, O., Powney, G. and Symes, N., (2019). The State of Nature - 2019. The State of Nature partnership., UK.

Edwards, M., Atkinson, A., Bresnan, E., Helaouët, P., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Ostle, C., Pitois, S. and Widdicombe, C., (2020). Plankton, jellyfish and climate in the North-East Atlantic. MCCIP Science Review 2020: 322–353. Parish, N. and Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Committee (McQuatters-Gollopprovided evidence), (2019). Beyond the Common Fisheries Policy: Scrutiny of the Fisheries Bill. Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Committee, House of Commons, UK Parliament, London, 38 pp.

Creagh, M., and the Environmental Audit Committee (McQuatters-Gollopprovided evidence), (2019). Sustainable Seas. Fourteenth Report of Session 2017-19. Environmental Audit Committee, House of Commons, UK Parliament, London, 66 pp.

McQuatters-Gollop, A.,Bedford, J., Best, M., Bresnan, E., Devlin, M., Graves, C., Johns, D., Machairopolou, M., McKinney, A., Mellor, A., Ostle, C., Pitois, S. and Tett, P., (2019). A protocol for the assessment of the biodiversity indicator ‘Change in Plankton Communities’ for UK waters, 19 pp.

McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2018). 海洋生態系の持続可能な管理に向けた科学と政策の協働 (Collaboration of science and policy toward sustainable management of marine ecosystems). Sasakawa Peace Foundation Ocean Policy Research Institute Ocean Newsletter, 434: 4-5.

McQuatters-Gollop, A.and UK Pelagic Habitats Expert Group, (2018). UK pelagic habitats and monitoring options: white paper for UK and DA ministers, London, pp 15.

Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (McQuatters-Gollop,contributing author), (2018). POSTNOTE: UK Fisheries Management, No. 572, London, 4 pp.

British Ecological Society Brexit Policy Working Group (McQuatters-Gollop,contributing author), (2018). The marine environment after Brexit: the future for science and policy, London, 18 pp.

British Ecological Society Brexit Policy Working Group (McQuatters-Gollop,contributing author), (2018). Sustainable Seas Inquiry: Written evidence submitted by the British Ecological Society. British Ecological Society, London, 11.

Higgs, N., Thompson, R., Hutchinson, T., Hall-Spencer, J., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Embling, C., Rees, S., Sheehan, E. and Selby, I., (2018). Sustainable Seas Inquiry: Written Evidence from the University of Plymouth Marine Institute. University of Plymouth Marine Institute, Plymouth, UK, pp. 12.

McQuatters-Gollop, A.,Artigas, F., Aubert, A., Budria, A., Johansen, M., Ostle, C. and Rombouts, I., (2017). PH1: Changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton communities. In: OSPAR (Editor), OSPAR Intermediate Assessment 2017. OSPAR, London, UK, pp. 2.

OSPAR, (2017). PH2: Changes in phytoplankton biomass and zooplankton abundance. In: OSPAR (Editor), OSPAR Intermediate Assessment 2017. OSPAR, London, UK, pp. 2.

OSPAR, (2017). PH3: Pilot assessment of changes in plankton diversity. In: OSPAR (Editor), OSPAR Intermediate Assessment 2017. OSPAR, London, UK, pp. 2.

Elliott, S.A.M., Arroyo, N.L., Safi, G., Ostle, C., Guérin, L., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Aubert, A., Artigas, F., Budria, A., I. Rombouts1, Artigas, F., Pesch, R., Schmitt, P., Vina-Herbon, C., Meakins, B., González-Irusta, J.M., Preciado, I., López-López, L., Punzón, A., Torriente, A., Serrano, A., Haraldsson, M., Capuzzo, E., Claquin, P., Kromkamp, J., Niquil, N., Judd, A., Padegimas, B. and Corcoran, E., (2017). Proposed approaches for indicator integration EcApRHA Deliverable 4.1. OSPAR, London, UK, 46.

Budria, A., Aubert, A., Rombouts, I., Ostle, C., Atkinson, A., Widdicombe, C., Goberville, E., Artigas, F., Johns, D., Padegimas, B., Corcoran, E. and McQuatters-Gollop, A.,(2017). Cross-linking plankton indicators to better define GES of pelagic habitats EcApRHA Deliverable WP1.4. OSPAR, London, UK, 54.

Ostle, C., Artigas, F., Atkinson, A., Aubert, A., Budria, A., Graham, G., Helaouët, P., Johns, D., Padegimas, B., Rombouts, I., Widdicombe, C. and McQuatters-Gollop, A.,(2017). Spatial Representivity of Plankton Indicators EcApRHA Deliverable WP1.3. OSPAR, London, UK, 28.

Aubert, A., Rombouts, I., Artigas, F., Budria, A., Ostle, C., Padegimas, B. and McQuatters-Gollop, A.,(2017). Combining methods and data for a more holistic assessment of the plankton community EcApRHA Deliverable WP1.2. OSPAR, London, UK, 42.

Ostle, C., Artigas, F., Aubert, A., Budria, A., Graham, G., Johansen, M., Johns, D., Padegimas, B., Rombouts, I., and McQuatters-Gollop, A.(2017). Programming outputs for constructing the plankton lifeform indicator from disparate data types EcApRHA Deliverable WP1.1. OSPAR, London, UK, 30.

ICES, (2015). Report of the Working Group on Biodiversity Science (WGBIODIV), 9–13 February 2015. ICES, ICES Headquarters, Copenhagen, Denmark, p. 308.

Skinner, J., Bailly, D., Le Coz, M., Dodds, W., Fletcher, S., Glegg, G., Glenn, H., Herry, L., Molfese, C., Sewell, J. and McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2014). Pathways for effective governance of the English Channel. Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, Plymouth, UK, p. 50.

ICES, 2014. Second Interim Report of the Working Group on Biodiversity Science (WGBIODIV). ICES, Copenhagen, Denmark, p. 44.

Scherer, C., Gowen, R.J., Tett, P., McQuatters-Gollop, A.,Forster, R., Bresnan, E., Cook, K., Atkinson, A., Best, M., Baptie, M., Keeble, S., McCullough, G., McKinney, A., (2014). Finalising and implementing the development of plankton indicators and targets: Operationalising the Lifeform and State Space Method. Workshop report to Defra. Agri-food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, p. 32.

Scherer, C., Gowen, R.J., Tett, P., McQuatters-Gollop, A.,Forster, R., Bresnan, E., Cook, K., Atkinson, A., Best, M., Baptie, M., Keeble, S., McCullough, G. and McKinney, A., (2014). Development of a UK Integrated Plankton Monitoring Programme: A final report of the Lifeform and State Space project, prepared for Defra. Agri-food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, 450 pp.

Gowen, R.J., Tett, P., McQuatters-Gollop, A.,Forster, R., Scherer, C., Bresnan, E., Cook, K., Atkinson, A., Best, M., Baptie, M., Keeble, S. and McCullough, G., (2013). Part One of the UK Marine Strategy for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive: Plankton indicators: Development of the Life-form and State-Space Method. Defra, Belfast, 27 pp.

McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2013). Are marine phytoplankton in decline? The Marine Biologist, 1: 18-20

McQuatters-Gollop, A.and Johns, D., (2012). Scotland’s Biodiversity Indicator – Plankton. Scottish Natural Heritage, 8 pp.

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Johns, D.G., Dowland, P., Edwards, M. (2011). Digitization, analysis and interpretation of plankton data for pre-1914 ICES sampling in the North Sea and adjacent waters: final report March 2011. SAHFOS, Plymouth, 20 pp.

Gowen, R.J., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Tett, P., Best, M., Bresnan, E., Castellani, C., Cook, K., Forster, R., Scherer, C. and Mckinney, A., (2011). The Development of UK Pelagic (Plankton) Indicators and Targets for the MSFD. Advice to Defra. Belfast, UK, 41 pp.

Moffat, C, Aish, A., Hawkridge, J.M., Miles, H., Mitchell, P. I., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Frost, M., Greenstreet, S., Pinn, E., Proudfoot, R., Sanderson, W. G., & Tasker, M. L. (2011). Advice on United Kingdom biodiversity indicators and targets for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Healthy and Biologically Diverse Seas Evidence Group Report to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.207pp.

Celine Byrne (with Abigail McQuatters-Gollop), (2011). A new addition to the online offering: ICES Historical Plankton Dataset, ICES Inside Out vol 5. ICES, Copenhagen, pp. 1.

Johns, D.G. and McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2011). Natural Heritage Trends – Plankton in the seas around Scotland – 2010 update. Scottish Natural Heritage, 5 pp.

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Burkill, P., Beaugrand, G., Edwards, M., Gattuso, J.-P. and Johns, D.G., (2010). Atlas of Calcifying Plankton: Results from the Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey. SAHFOS, Plymouth, UK, 20 pp.

McQuatters-Gollop, A.,Edwards, M., Reid, P.C. and Johns, D., (2010). A marine assessment and monitoring framework for application in UKMMAS and OSPAR, for phytoplankton and zooplankton. Report to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee from the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science. SAHFOS, Plymouth, 44 p.

Edwards, M., Beaugrand, G., Johns, D.G., Licandro, P., McQuatters-Gollop, A.and Wootton, M., (2010). Ecological Status Report: results from the CPR survey 2009. SAHFOS Technical Report, 7: 1-8.

Reid, P.C., Edwards, M., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Beaugrand, G., Bresnan, E., Brierley, A., Davidson, K., Delany, J., Eloire, D., Forster, R., Fox, C., Frederiksen, M., Gowen, R., Halliday, N., Hardman-Mountford, N., Hátún, H., Hay, S., Hartman, S., Helaouët, P., Johns, D., Kirby, R., Lampitt, R., Larkin, K., Licandro, P., Lindley, A., Lucas, C., McCollin, T., Miller, P., Milligan, S., Mills, D., Pitois, S., Prior, A., Rees, A., Smyth, T., Smythe-Wright, D., Stevens, D. and Widdicombe, C., (2010). Biological indicators of state: the plankton, Charting Progress 2: An Integrated Assessment of the State of UK Seas. Defra, London, UK, 69 pp.

Edwards, M., Heath, M. and McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2010). Plankton, MCCIP Annual Report Card 2010-11. MCCIP Science Review, pp. 10.

Langmead, O., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Mee, L.D., (2010). The socioeconomics behind ecosystem collapse: the case of the Black Sea. Science for Environment Policy: DG Environment News Alert Service, Special Issue 22: 1.

McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2009). Regional policies needed to tackle eutrophication in Europe’s seas. Science for Environment Policy: DG Environment News Alert Service, 154: 1.

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Johns, D. and Edwards, M., (2009). The Continuous Plankton Recorder. Exploring the Marine Environment. Bulletin of the British Ecological Society 2009, 40: 10-11.

Edwards, M., Beaugrand, G., John, A.W.G., Johns, D.G., Licandro, P., McQuatters-Gollop, A.and Reid, P.C., (2009). Ecological Status Report: results from the CPR survey 2007/2008. SAHFOS Technical Report, 6: 1-12.

Reid, P.C., Bathmann, U., Batten, S.D., Brainard, R.E., Burkill, P.H., Carlotti, F., Chiba, S., Conversi, A., Dickson, R.R., Dooley, H., Edwards, M., Flinkman, J., Fukuchi, M., Goes, J., Goni, G., Greene, C.H., Hare, J.A., Hays, G.C., Head, E., Hood, R.R., Hosie, G., Hunt, B.P.V., John, A.W.G., Jonas, T.D., Jossi, J.W., Karlson, B., Kuh Kim, Kirby, R.R., Kitchener, J., Kobayashi, D., Lakkis, S., Llope, M., Lopes, R.M., MacDiarmid, A., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Malone, T., Matondkar, P., Muxagata, E., Pershing, A., Richardson, A.J., Robertson, D., Robinson, K., Sartimbul, A., Stenseth, N.C., Sugisaki, H., Stevens, D., Berghe, E.V., Verheye, H., Vezzulli, L. and Ward, P. (2009). A Global Continuous Plankton Recorder Programme, OceanObs09, Venice, Italy, pp. 12.

Reid, PC, Cook, EJ, Edwards, M, McQuatters-Gollop, A, Minchin, D and McCollin, T (2009) Marine non-native species inMarine Climate Change Ecosystem Linkages Report Card 2009. (Eds. Baxter JM, Buckley PJ and Frost MT), Online science reviews, www.mccip.org.uk/elr/non-natives, 28pp.

McQuatters-Gollop, A.(2008). Harmful Algal Blooms and fishery product safety. FAO. 10 pp.

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Johns, D.G., Halliday, N. and Edwards, M., (2008). Fish Larvae Project: Progress Report Contract MF1101. SAHFOS/Defra/Cefas, Plymouth, 28 pp.

McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2008). Climate exacerbates eutrophication in the North Sea. Marbef Newsletter, 8: 17-18.

McQuatters-Gollop, A., (2007). The synergistic effects of climate and eutrophication in the North Sea. GLOBEC International Newsletter, 13: 10-11.

McQuatters-Gollop, A., Raitsos, D.E., Edwards, M., Pradhan, Y., Mee, L.D., Lavender, S.J. and Attrill, M.J., (2007). Climate exacerbates eutrophication in the North Sea. IMBER Update, 7: 3:4.

McQuatters-Gollop A., and L.D. Mee. (2007). Eutrophication in the Black Sea, p 20. World Resources Institute.

Reid, P.C., A. McQuatters-Gollop,D. Johns and M. Edwards (2007). Macroscale patterns in phytoplankton and Harmful Algal Blooms in UK waters based on Continuous Plankton Recorder data. UK Environment Agency contract report.

Edwards, M., Reid, P.C., McQuatters-Gollop, A., Helaouet, P., Kirby, R. and Frederiksen, M., (2008). Indicator review for pelagic ecosystems (phytoplankton and zooplankton): Report to the Healthy and Biologically Diverse Sea Evidence Group (HBDSEG). Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, Plymouth, UK, 22 pp.

Langmead, O., A. McQuatters-Gollopand L.D. Mee (Eds.). (2007). European Lifestyles and Marine Ecosystems: Exploring challenges for managing Europe’s seas. 43pp. University of Plymouth Marine Institute, Plymouth, UK.



Appendix 3: Book chapters

McQuatters-Gollop, A.,(2020). In: K. Inaba and J. Hall-Spencer (Editors), Japanese Marine Life: A practical training guide in marine biology. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore, pp. 347-352.



Appendix 4: Conference presentations/POSTERS

Keynote addresses:

2018

Plankton time-series are key to sustainable marine policy, L4 30th Anniversary Science Day, PML, Plymouth.

2017

From evidence to policy: developing biodiversity indicators for marine conservation, Commemorative Symposium for the 33rd International Prize for Biology - Marine biology opens a frontier for the future, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.

Brexit and the marine environment - key priorities: A biodiversity perspective, British Ecological Society: The Marine Environment after Brexit, London, UK.

2015

Delivering good environmental status: an ecosystem approach, Australian Marine Sciences Association, Geelong, Australia.

Delivering the ecosystem approach – a European perspective, Marine Strategy Framework Directive (EU) and the Great Barrier Reef Long-Term Sustainability Plan (GBRWHA) workshop, hosted by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Australian Institute for Marine Science, Townsville, Australia.

2014

Pathways towards effective Channel governance, Pathways towards effective Channel governance launch event, House of Commons, UK Parliament, Westminster, London.

The role of plankton time-series in managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change, PICES 2014 Annual Meeting: Toward a better understanding of the North Pacific: Reflecting on the past and steering for the future, Yeosu, Korea.

Using science to inform marine policy: a case study of marine ecosystem monitoring in the UK, Towards the better collaboration between scientists and policy makers, University of Tokyo, Japan.

Understanding planktonic systems: Update & links to MSFD, Coastal Futures, London, UK.

2012

Challenges for managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change. P/ICES Oceans of Change, Majorca, Spain.

2011

Is there a decline in marine phytoplankton?, Plankton 2011: Biodiversity and Global Change, Plymouth, UK.

Challenges for managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change: messages from the plankton, Prospectus for UK Marine Science for the Next 20 Years: A Joint Project by The Challenger Society for Marine Science and the UK Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research, Royal Society, London, UK.

Implications of large-scale ecological change for managing UK seas, How can we manage our seas in the real world? Organized by Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership in collaboration with the Marine Management Organisation, Plymouth, UK.

Chapters
Conference Papers
Reports
Personal

Personal

Reports & invited lectures

 Keynote engagements:

Keynote address: "From plankton to policy - how embracing risk and failure creates opportunities for success" PlymSEF, Plymouth, UK, 2022.
Keynote address: "Embracing risk and failure in academia" Mindful Conservation Conference, Virtual, 2021.
Keynote address: "The CPR as a key tool for policy delivery", The Continuous Plankotn Recorder 90th Anniversary Celebration Conference, Virtual, 2021.
Keynote address: "The role of science to advance policy initiatives", NexAMS: Launch of Policy Briefs - Nature-based Solutions and Integrated Greening of Grey Infrastructure, Kuala Lumpur, 2021.
Keynote address: "Plankton time-series are key to sustainable marine policy" L4 30th Anniversary Science Day, PML, Plymouth, 2018.
Keynote address: “From evidence to policy: developing biodiversity indicators for marine conservation”, Commemorative Symposium for the 33rd International Prize for Biology: Marine biology opens a frontier for the future, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan, 2017.
Keynote address:“Brexit and the marine environment – a biodiversity perspective”, British Ecological Society-Marine Biological Association The UK Marine Environment After Brexit, London, UK, 2017.
Keynote address:“Delivering good environmental status: an ecosystem approach”, Australian Marine Sciences Association, Geelong, Australia, 2015.
Keynote address:“Delivering the ecosystem approach – a European perspective”, Marine Strategy Framework Directive (EU) and the Great Barrier Reef Long-Term Sustainability Plan (GBRWHA) workshop, hosted by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Australian Institute for Marine Science, Townsville, Australia, 2015.
Keynote address:“Pathways towards effective Channel governance”, Pathways towards effective Channel governance launch event, House of Commons, UK Parliament, Westminster, London, 2014.
Keynote address: “The role of plankton time-series in managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change”, PICES 2014 Annual Meeting: Toward a better understanding of the North Pacific: Reflecting on the past and steering for the future, Yeosu, Korea, 2014.
Keynote address:“Understanding planktonic systems: Update & links to MSFD”, Coastal Futures, London, UK, 2014.
Keynote address: “Challenges for managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change”. P/ICES Oceans of Change, Majorca, Spain, 2012.
Public debate: “Large-scale trends in ocean phytoplankton”. McQuatters-Gollop, A., Worm, B. and Wernand, M. Plankton 2011: Biodiversity and Global Change, Plymouth, UK, 2011.
Keynote address: “Is there a decline in marine phytoplankton?”, Plankton 2011: Biodiversity and Global Change, Plymouth, UK, 2011.
Keynote address:“Challenges for managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change: messages from the plankton”, Prospectus for UK Marine Science for the Next 20 Years: A Joint Project by The Challenger Society for Marine Science and the UK Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research, Royal Society, London, UK, 2011.
Keynote presentation and panel discussion: “Implications of large-scale ecological change for managing UK seas”, How can we manage our seas in the real world? Organized by Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership in collaboration with the Marine Management Organisation, Plymouth, UK, 2011.

Invited policy appearances:

  • Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs UK Fisheries Bill Inquiry, scientific witness. Palace of Westminster, UK Parliament (2018)
  • Environmental Audit Committee Sustainable Seas Inquiry, scientific witness. Portcullis House, UK Parliament (2018) 
  • The science of managing UK fisheries, invited speaker. Portcullis House, UK Parliament (2018)
  • Research, impact and the UK Parliament, invited speaker. Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (2018)
  • International policy decisions based on world-leading evidence, invited case study. House of Commons, UK Parliament (2017)

Invited presentations:

2021
  • Using biodiversity indicators to meet marine conservation objectives, University of Sheffield Animal and Plant Science Seminar Series, University of Sheffield, UK. 
  • From plankton to policy: Connecting ocean observations to decision making, Marine Biodiversity Observation Network, Online. 
  • Science-policy co-development of biodiversity assessment: The Marine Strategy Framework Directive example, South Africa Marine Biodiversity Assessment Strategic Workshop, Cape Town, South Africa. 
  • The UK’s first National Marine Park: An opportunity for Plymouth, Plymouth Mayflower Rotary Club, Virtual. 
2020
  • Using biodiversity indicators to meet marine conservation objectives, Animal and Plant Science, University of Sheffield.
  • Using biodiversity indicators to meet marine conservation objectives, University of Tokyo Seminar Series, Tokyo, Japan.
2019
  • Opportunities for working across the science-policy interface: Nature-based solutions in Malaysia, Malaysia Nature-based Solutions, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Brexit and the Marine Environment, The UK After Brexit University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
  • Developing and applying indicators for marine conservation and management, Blue Charter All Champions Meeting, London, UK.
  • Using biodiversity indicators to meet marine conservation objectives, OneNOAA Science Seminar Series, Silver Springs, Maryland, USA
  • How plankton data can meet global policy challenges, Essential Biological Data Products: A Showcase for the European Atlas of Marine Life, Lisbon, Portugal.
2018
  • Plankton time-series are key to sustainable marine policy, L4 30th Anniversary Science Day, PML, Plymouth, UK.
  • From data to decisions: creating impact through policy, Getting your science used in policy, University of Exeter, UK.
  • Research in Parliament – a marine conservationist’s perspective, Research, impact, and the UK Parliament. UKRI, Plymouth.
  • Why am I here?, Shaping the next generation of early career scientists, PML, Plymouth, UK.
2017
  • From evidence to policy: developing biodiversity indicators for marine conservation, National Institute of Oceanography Seminar Series, Goa, India.
  • Large scale plankton shifts in the North Atlantic in relation to climate change, Cross-disciplinary workshop on drivers of decline in Atlantic puffins and other species with related feeding ecology in the North Atlantic, Reykjavik, Iceland.
  • Spatio-temporal changes in plankton communities, and their role as policy indicators, Assessing the Effects of Ocean Acidification on East Asian Ecosystems, Shimoda, Japan.
  • From evidence to policy: developing biodiversity indicators for marine conservation, University of the Ryukyus Tropical Biosphere Research Center Sasei Research Facility, Sesoko, Okinawa, Japan.
  • From evidence to policy: developing biodiversity indicators for marine conservation, University of Tsukuba Shimoda Marine Research Centre, Shimoda, Japan.
  • Plankton in policy: How do the smallest creatures help us protect our seas?, Hong Kong University Biological Sciences Seminar Series, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong.
 2016 
  •  From evidence to policy: developing biodiversity indicators for marine policy , Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) seminar series, JAMSTEC,Yokohama, Japan, 2016.
  •  From data to decisions: creating impact through policy , Plymouth University Research Impact Conference, Plymouth, University, Plymouth, UK, 2016.
  •  From evidence to policy:developing biodiversity indicators for the MSFD , PML Invited Speakers Seminar Series, Plymouth, UK, 2016.
  •  From evidence to policy:developing biodiversity indicators for the MSFD , Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science, Oxford University, Oxford, UK, 2016.
  •  From evidence to policy:developing biodiversity indicators for the MSFD , UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK, 2016.
 2015 
  •  Challenges for developing policy indicators in a climate of macroecological change ,University of Queensland, Australia, 2015.
  •  Challenges for developing policy indicators in a climate of macroecological change , Central Queensland University, Australia, 2015.
  •  From data to decisions, using NERC science in policy, NERC Knowledge Exchange Network Conference, Leicester, UK, 2015.
  •  The benefits of crossing the science-policy interface, NERC Fellows Conference, Birmingham, UK, 2015.
  •  Update on SW plankton , South West Marine Ecosystems, Plymouth, UK, 2015.
 2014 
  •  The role of plankton time-series in managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change, Swire Institute for Marine Science Hong Kong University, Hong Kong, 2014.
  •  Understanding large-scale change: Insights from the Continuous Plankton Recorder time-series, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) seminar series, JAMSTEC, Yokohama, Japan, 2014.
  •  Understanding large-scale change: Insights from the Continuous Plankton Recorder time-series, Fisheries Research Agency of Japan seminar series, Fisheries Research Agency, Yokohama, Japan, 2014.
  •  Understanding planktonic systems: Update & links to MSFD, Coastal Futures, London, UK, 2014.
  •  Challenges for managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change , Marine Biology and Ecology Invited Seminar Series, Plymouth University, UK, 2014.
 2013 
  •  Phytoplankton response to global change , Coastal and Estuarine Research Foundation Biennial Conference: Toward Resilient Coasts & Estuaries, Science for Sustainable Solutions, San Diego, CA, USA, 2013.
  •  Informing policy in the SW: the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) , Natural England Marine Conference, Plymouth, UK, 2013.
  •  Challenges for implementingthe MSFD in a climate of macroecological change , Plymouth University Marine and Coastal Policy Research Group Invited Speakers Seminar Series, Plymouth, UK, 2013.
  •  Global Patterns of Phytoplankton Dynamics in Coastal Ecosystems, Plymouth Celebrates SCOR, Plymouth, UK, 2013.
  •  Informing policy in the SW:links to pelagic habitats in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) , Southwest Marine Ecosystems, Plymouth, UK, 2013.
 2012 
  •  Challenges for managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change, University of Sheffield Dept. of Animal and Plant Sciences Invited Speakers Seminar Series, Sheffield, UK, 2012.
  •  Challenges for managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change, NOC Invited Speakers Seminar Series,Southampton, UK, 2012.
  •  Challenges for managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change , PML Invited Speakers Seminar Series,Plymouth, UK, 2012.
  •  Why is it so hard to set MSFD targets? , EU Marine Observation and Data Expert Group - 16th meeting, Brussels,Belgium, 2012.
 2011 
  •  Plankton Response to Global Change , Oceans 2025: Science of the Blue Planet, London, UK, 2011.
  •  Biological indicators across heterogenous datasets , EU Marine Observation and Data Expert Group - 10th meeting, Brussels, Belgium, 2010.

 Oral presentations: 

2023
Do your bit: Switch out natural reefs for artificial reefs to compensate the environmental impacts of dive tourism, International Temperate Reefs Symposium, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Marine Research Plymouth – Plankton: Assessing the state of plankton biodiversity in the Northeast Atlantic using sustained ocean datasets, Marine Research Plymouth - Time-Series, Plymouth, UK.
2021
Assessing the state of marine biodiversity in the Northeast Atlantic, Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Seas Association 59: Using the best scientific knowledge for the sustainable management of estuaries and coastal seas, San Sebastian, Spain.
2020
Biodiversity in a shifting sea: challenges and solutions for working across the science-policy interface, International Marine Conservation Congress, Kiel, Germany.
2019
Biodiversity in a shifting sea: challenges and solutions for working across the science-policy interface, Species on the Move, Kruger National Park, South Africa.
2018
From evidence to policy: developing pelagic biodiversity indicators for marine conservation,International Marine Conservation Congress: Making marine science matter, Kuching, Malaysia.
From evidence to action: challenges and solutions for working across the science-policy interface, PICES: Toward integrated understanding of ecosystem variability in the North Pacific, Yokohama, Japan.
Plankton lifeforms as regional pelagic biodiversity indicators for ecosystem-based management, PICES: Toward integrated understanding of ecosystem variability in the North Pacific, Yokohama, Japan.
2017
Developing pelagic indicators for ecosystem-based management from multiple monitoring surveys, ICES Annual Science Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
Collaboration is the key to success: developing pelagic habitat indicators by working across the science-policy interface, ICES Annual Science Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
2016
From evidence to policy: developing biodiversity indicators for the MSFD, Challenger Conference for Marine Science - Oceans and Climate, Liverpool, UK.
From evidence to policy: developing biodiversity indicators for the MSFD, ICES Annual Science Conference, Riga, Latvia.
Enhancing Student Learning and Participation Interactively through the use of Clickers in Science and Engineering, at VC's Teaching and Learning Conference, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK.
2015
Challenges for developing pelagic indicators and setting meaningful targets in a climate of ecological change, ICES Annual Science Conference, Copenhagen.
2014
Challenges for developing policy indicators against a background of macroecological change, Promoting Effective Governance of the Channel Ecosystem, Caen, France.
Challenges for developing policy indicators in a climate of macroecological change, 2nd Marine and Coastal Policy Forum, Plymouth University, UK.
Informing policy in the Western Channel: links to pelagic habitats in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), Marinexus final conference, Plymouth, UK.
2013
Good Environmental Status and the plankton: combining disparate datasets to assess pelagic habitats at national and regional scales, ICES Annual Science Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland.
2012
Why is it so hard to set MSFD indicators and targets? Messages from the plankton, Challenger Conference for Marine Science: Ocean Challenges in the 1st Century, Norwich, UK.
Plankton response to global change: Is the SW UK representative?, Southwest Marine Ecosystems, Plymouth, UK.
Challenges for managing our seas in a climate of macroecological change, Marine Strategy 2012, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2010
Black Sea Phytoplankton, SCOR 137 - Global Patterns of Phytoplankton Dynamics in Coastal Ecosystems: Comparative Analysis of Time-Series Observations Working Group Workshop, Hangzhou, China.
The Continuous Plankton Recorder, SCOR 137 - Global Patterns of Phytoplankton Dynamics in Coastal Ecosystems: Comparative Analysis of Time-Series Observations Working Group Workshop, Hangzhou, China.
2009
How well do ecosystem indicators communicate the effects of eutrophication?, ASLO Aquatic Sciences Conference, Nice, France.
How well do ecosystem indicators communicate the effects of eutrophication?, PMSP Symposium: Marine Science for a Changing World, Plymouth, UK.
Changes in the Northwest Atlantic phytoplankton community, GLOBEC 3rd Open Science Meeting, Victoria, Canada.
Non-linear effects of climate on Black Sea phytoplankton phenology, GLOBEC 3rd Open Science Meeting Victoria, Canada.
2008
Climate exacerbates eutrophication in North Sea, ASLO Ocean Sciences Conference, Orlando, FL, USA.
2007
Climate exacerbates eutrophication in North Sea, Marine Institute Conference - Understanding Marine Systems, Plymouth, UK.
2006
A long-term chlorophyll dataset reveals regime shift in North Sea phytoplankton biomass unconnected to increasing nutrient levels, Marine Biological Association Postgraduate Workshop, Dublin, Ireland.
A long-term chlorophyll dataset reveals regime shift in North Sea phytoplankton biomass unconnected to increasing nutrient levels, Biological Sciences Synergy Conference, University of Plymouth, UK.
Posters:
Plankton on the move: implications for global biodiversity goals, Species on the Move, Kruger National Park, South Africa, 2019.
Developing pelagic biodiversity indicators for ecosystem-based management,Effects of Climate Change on the World Ocean. PICES/ICES, Washington, D.C., USA, 2018.
What value does taxonomy have in modern science and policy?, Promoting Effective Governance of the Channel Ecosystem, Caen, France, 2014.
Why is it so hard to set MSFD indicators and targets? Messages from the plankton, Challenger Conference for Marine Science: Ocean Challenges in the 1st Century, Norwich, UK, 2012.
How well do ecosystem indicators communicate the effects of anthropogenic eutrophication?, How can we manage our seas in the real world? Organized by Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership in collaboration with the Marine Management Organisation, Plymouth, UK, 2011.
How well do ecosystem indicators communicate the effects of anthropogenic eutrophication?, Plankton 2011: Biodiversity and Global Change, Plymouth, UK, 2011.
How well do ecosystem indicators communicate the effects of anthropogenic eutrophication?, Oceans 2025 Science meeting, Plymouth, UK, 2010.
Climate exacerbates eutrophication in North Sea, Change in Aquatic Ecosystems Conference, Plymouth, UK, 2007.
Climate exacerbates eutrophication in North Sea, FP6 European Lifestyles and Marine Ecosystems (ELME) Results Workshop, European Commission, Committee of the Regions, Brussels, Belgium, 2007.
Climate exacerbates eutrophication in North Sea, Parliamentary Select Committee Inquiry into Science and Technology launch event, Marine Biological Association of the UK, Plymouth, UK, 2007.
Climate exacerbates eutrophication in North Sea, Vice Chancellor’s Research and Innovation Conference, University of Plymouth, UK, 2007.

 Public lectures: 

The UK’s first National Marine Park: An opportunity for Plymouth, Plymouth Mayflower Rotary Club, Virtual.
Using biodiversity indicators to meet marine conservation objectives, Co-Coast Wine and Science, Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, UK, 2019.
Plankton in parliament: How do the smallest creatures help us protect our seas?, Public lecture at Capturing Our Coast Wine and Science Night, Plymouth, UK, 2016.
Plankton in parliament: How do the smallest creatures help us protect our seas?, Public lecture at National Science and Engineering Week, Plymouth, UK, 2014.

Conferences organised

Conference conceiver, developer, and co-convener:
  • The Environment after Brexit, British Ecological Society, UK (2017)
  • Challenger Society for Marine Science Conference (2012, 2014)
  • Prospectus for UK Marine Sustained Observations, The Royal Society, UK (2013)
Theme developer and convener:
  • “Applying and integrating marine biodiversity indicators and assessments to evaluate progress towards policy goals”, MSEAS-2020: Marine Social-Ecological Systems, Yokohama, Japan (2020)
  • “From science to evidence – innovative uses of biodiversity indicators for effective marine policy and conservation”, International Marine Conservation Congress, Kuching, Malaysia (2018)
  • “What is a good pelagic habitat?”, ICES Annual Science Conference, Riga, Latvia (2016)
  • “Marine science for society”, Challenger Conference for Marine Science, Liverpool, UK (2016)
  • “Challenges and tools for managing marine and coastal resources”, Challenger Conference for Marine Science,Plymouth, UK. (2014)
  • “Challenges and tools for managing marine and coastal resources”, Challenger Conference for Marine Science: Ocean Challenges in the 21st Century, Norwich, UK (2012)
Session chair:
  • Promoting Effective Governance of the Channel Ecosystem, Caen, France. (2014)
  • Southwest Marine Ecosystems Conference 2014, Plymouth, UK (2014)
  • P/ICES Oceans of Change, Majorca, Spain (2012)

Other academic activities

Editorial contributions: 

Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Science Guest editor (2023)
Marine Biodiversity Records Editorial board (2017 – 2019)
Special Issue, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society Guest editor. Prospectus for UK Marine Sustained Observations (2014)

 Panels and debates: 


Interview panel:
NERC KE Fellowships (2018)
NERC Innovation Grants (2017)
NERC KE Fellowships (2016)
Public debate: “Large-scale trends in oceanphytoplankton”. McQuatters-Gollop, A., Worm, B. and Wernand, M.Plankton 2011: Biodiversity and Global Change, Plymouth, UK (2011)
Discussion panel: “Where we need to be: what are the likely challenges?” McQuatters-Gollop, A.,Spicer, J.,Brownlee, C. and Barange, M. Plymouth Marine Science Partnership and the MMO: Howcan we manage our seas in the real world?” Plymouth, UK (2011)

Additional information

Training:

2023       
• First Aid at Work
• PADI Oxygen Administration
• PADI Rescue Diver
• HSE Professional Scuba
2020       
• Social Science for Conservation (Human Nature)
2018
  • Science media training (NERC-British Science Association)
2017
  • Impact training (NERC)
  • Internal examiners training (Plymouth University)
2016
  • Outdoor first aid
2015
  • Challenge of Science Leadership (Barefoot Learning)
  • Innovation training (NERC)
2013
  • Climate Change in the Media (Talk Action)
  • Effective Supervision (Plymouth University)
2009
  • Line Management Training (Carol Carpenter Training)
2008
  • FP6 Sesame Statistics Summer School (Highland Statistics)
  • CPR plankton taxonomic analysis (SAHFOS)

Media engagements:

2023
 
2022       
·  Factcheck: Atlantic Ocean has not lost 90% of plankton
·  Marine Conservation Happy Hour 465: Quiz- Ocean science
·  Marine Conservation Happy Hour 466: Plankton wiped out in the North Atlantic? Is that right?
2021       
Marine Conservation Happy Hour YouTube: Why you should fear the plankton
Marine Conservation Happy Hour YouTube Short: Fear the plankton!
Drifting into trouble? The tiny ocean creatures with a global impact”, Oct 2021 
• “Innovative plankton monitoring tool holds key to assessing health of ocean life”
 
2020
“The Hunger Games for life in our warmer sea”, Western Morning News, 28 Jan 2020
Towards equality in ecology”, Ecology for the Masses, 10 Feb 2020
“Study shows six decades of change in plankton communities”, Science Magazine (web), 1 April 2020
“Study reveals climate impact on plankton”, The National (Scotland), 2 April 2020
“Plankton changes have impacted ecosystem around UK coastline, study suggests”, Press Association, 2 April 2020
“Plankton hit by ‘huge changes’”, The Herald, 2 April 2020
“Shift in ocean life discovered”, The Herald (Plymouth), 4 April 2020
“We’re plankrupt”, The Sun, 6 April 2020
“Huge changes to UK plankton population”, Fishing News UK, 7 May 2020
Channeling a Bloom”, NASA Earth Observatory, 25 June 2020
“Pictures from space bode well for life on Earth”, Western Morning News, 1 July 2020
“NASA records large bloom of phytoplankton close to island”, Guernsey Press, 2 July 2020
“Blooming good spring for algae”, The Times, 8 July 2020
“Weather eye”, The Times, 8 July 2020
2019
”Small boats may be left high and dry after Brexit” , Western Morning News, 22 Jan 2019
“Science research programme launched to inform Defra policy making”, WiredGov, 6 May 2019
“Defra takes ‘systems thinking approach’ to pressing environmental issues”, The Water Report, 6 May 2019
“Defra launches science research programme to inform policy-making”, AgriLand, 7 May 2019
Invited collaborator for Phillippe Cousteau’s Earth Echo expedition ‘What’s the Catch?’ as a plankton and policy expert, August 2019
Earth Echo Establish Our Fisheries
Earth Echo STEM Career Close up
Focus on Brexit: Resigned but resolute”, Ecology for the Masses, 11 Dec 2019
Abigail McQuatters-Gollop: How will Brexit effect Europe’s oceans?”, Ecology for the Masses, 9 Dec 2019
2018
“International collaboration is essential for good of our seas”, Western Morning News, 12 Sept 2018
2014 – present
Curator of blog and website Plankton and Policy
2012
Invited guest blogger (Plankton and Policy) for Research in Action. University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
Research featured in New Scientist magazine
Featured on ‘This is what a scientist looks like’ blog about breaking down science stereotypes
2011
Interview by Louie Psihoyos, director, for his documentary film Racing Extinction.

Additional skills:

 
Science-policy communication: Active participant in science-policy knowledge exchange at the UK, European, and international scales. I excel at translating science into a format useful to policy-makers and at guiding scientists to apply their research to the policy process. I run the blog and website Plankton and Policy, which is followed by ICES, OSPAR, DG MARE and MBARI
http://planktonpolicy.org/
Spatial analysis: Exceptional cartographic, GIS and geostatistical analysis skills using ArcGIS, ArcView, ArcInfo, and Surfer.
Taxonomy:Trained in phyto and zooplankton identification and analysis.
Languages:I am an intermediate Spanish speaker and an advanced-beginner Japanese speaker.

Links

Plankton and Policy: www.planktonpolicy.org