Group gears up to support Seafish in enhancing understanding of seafood science in the UK

Michel Kaiser, Professor of Marine Conservation Ecology at Bangor University is to chair a new Science Advisory Group (SAG).

Established by Seafish, SAG will provide high-quality, independent scientific challenge and support  

The seven-strong Group is charged with ensuring that Seafish, and therefore the UK seafood industry, has access to the best possible scientific evidence, and where relevant, increased engagement with the scientific community.  Its ultimate goal is to empower greater evidence-based decision making within the sector.

Speaking on his appointment Professor Michel Kaiser said: “Seafish has a critical role to play in the provision of evidence-based advice to the seafood industry and will become an increasingly important provider of future scientific insight.  As a result, the SAG has a key responsibility to ensure that Seafish can meet these scientific expectations and will additionally help to develop networks of expertise and foster external collaborations.”

The objectives of the SAG are to help Seafish access, interpret and understand the full range of relevant scientific information available.  It will also make judgements about the relevance, potential and application of this data.  This will be done by providing independent advice on a number of areas, including the strategic direction of, and priorities for, Seafish science and from a science perspective, as well as scientific and technical developments in the field.

Dr Tom Pickerell of Seafish added: “We were fortunate to receive applications from such high-calibre candidates and believe we have pulled together some of the foremost seafood science minds to help advise Seafish and the industry in our future work.  

“The SAG will guide Seafish’s scientific priorities and strategy by advising the Seafish Board and Sector Panels.  We believe it will help enhance the good work already being done within the UK in bringing the scientific and seafood communities closer together in order to achieve long term goals.”

Professor Mike Kaiser, of the University’s School of Ocean Sciences will be joined by:

  • Andrew Rowley, Professor of Biosciences at Swansea University
  • Walter Crozier, Independent Member
  • Neil Auchterlonie, Independent Fisheries and Aquaculture Consultant
  • Bryce Stewart, Marine Biologist and Lecturer in the Environment Department at University of York
  • Simon Jennings and Grant Stentiford, representing the Centre for Fisheries, Environment and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
  • Mike Elliott, Director at the Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies, and Professor of Estuarine & Coastal Sciences, School of Biological, Biomedical & Environmental Sciences at University of Hull

The first meeting of SAG will take place on November 12th in London.

Publication date: 10 September 2015