UK AQUACULTURE INITIATIVE NETWORK - AQUACULTURE RESEARCH COLLABORATION HUB U.K. (ARCH UK) - SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE GROUP (SAG)
Lead Research Organisation:
Swansea University
Department Name: College of Science
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The ARCH network will consist of a management group Hub and working groups. The network will be led by PIs from the University of Stirling and Swansea University, supported by Co-Is from the University of Aberdeen and University of Exeter. A management Hub will be made up from the PIs, CoIs, network managers, workgroup leaders and the KE Fellow, and will meet to discuss the aims, objective, progress and outputs of the network.
Within the network there will be two groups - Finfish and Shellfish - reflecting the differences in principles, practice and challenges in the two main UK aquaculture sectors. Each group will have their own work groups that will focus on UK wide aquaculture priorities. The Finfish Group will be led by Brendan McAndrew and the Shellfish Group (SAG) by Andrew Rowley. The work groups (WG) will be led by an experienced academic who will convene an open network of leading academic, industry, governmental and regulatory stakeholders. They will be assisted in this by the respective network managers, based at Stirling and Swansea, who will ensure the widest possible engagement with the relevant scientific and stakeholders and an open request for membership of the different WGs. Each WG will work to develop a concise and focused set of research priorities which will reflect the view of the members of the WG and the wider community that they represent, as well as the medium to long term priority requirements of the industry. The latter will be achieved by consultation and feedback from relevant stakeholder organisations and a process of expert elicitation using experienced facilitators, Hub and WG resources. The outputs from the various WGs will be made available to the stakeholder community via the ARCH website and trade organisations. The management Hub will have to responsibility to ensure that duplication of effort between the WGs is avoided.
Within the network there will be two groups - Finfish and Shellfish - reflecting the differences in principles, practice and challenges in the two main UK aquaculture sectors. Each group will have their own work groups that will focus on UK wide aquaculture priorities. The Finfish Group will be led by Brendan McAndrew and the Shellfish Group (SAG) by Andrew Rowley. The work groups (WG) will be led by an experienced academic who will convene an open network of leading academic, industry, governmental and regulatory stakeholders. They will be assisted in this by the respective network managers, based at Stirling and Swansea, who will ensure the widest possible engagement with the relevant scientific and stakeholders and an open request for membership of the different WGs. Each WG will work to develop a concise and focused set of research priorities which will reflect the view of the members of the WG and the wider community that they represent, as well as the medium to long term priority requirements of the industry. The latter will be achieved by consultation and feedback from relevant stakeholder organisations and a process of expert elicitation using experienced facilitators, Hub and WG resources. The outputs from the various WGs will be made available to the stakeholder community via the ARCH website and trade organisations. The management Hub will have to responsibility to ensure that duplication of effort between the WGs is avoided.
Planned Impact
An integrated aquaculture network, called the Aquaculture Research Collaborative Hub-UK (ARCH-UK) will be established. This will:
1. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge between academia and other stakeholders, including industry.
2. Support the UK Aquaculture Initiative by providing expertise and strategic advice on potential priorities for future research funding.
3. Assist in developing early career researchers and others new to aquaculture. This will create a community of new researcher with the ability to assist industry in future years.
Overall, ARCH-UK will build capacity and expertise in sustainable aquaculture and thereby make a valuable contribution to national food security.
1. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge between academia and other stakeholders, including industry.
2. Support the UK Aquaculture Initiative by providing expertise and strategic advice on potential priorities for future research funding.
3. Assist in developing early career researchers and others new to aquaculture. This will create a community of new researcher with the ability to assist industry in future years.
Overall, ARCH-UK will build capacity and expertise in sustainable aquaculture and thereby make a valuable contribution to national food security.
Publications
Coates C
(2022)
Emerging Diseases and Epizootics in Crabs Under Cultivation
in Frontiers in Marine Science
Coates CJ
(2021)
The stress-immunity axis in shellfish.
in Journal of invertebrate pathology
Davies C
(2019)
Spatial and temporal disease dynamics of the parasite Hematodinium sp. in shore crabs, Carcinus maenas
in Parasites & Vectors
Davies CE
(2022)
Hematodinium sp. infection does not drive collateral disease contraction in a crustacean host.
in eLife
Emery H
(2019)
Indomethacin-induced gut damage in a surrogate insect model, Galleria mellonella.
in Archives of toxicology
Lynch S
(2022)
Invertebrate Pathology
Rowley A
(2022)
Invertebrate Pathology
Rowley A
(2022)
Invertebrate Pathology
Rowley AF
(2023)
Shell disease syndromes of decapod crustaceans.
in Environmental microbiology
| Description | A key objective of ARCH-UK for Year 1 was to create Working Groups and to employ these to draft reports on research needs for UK Aquaculture. Eight Working Groups were formed each with two academic staff as leads. They drafted a report on research needs for their field and submitted these to the grant holders in late summer 2017. These reports are available on the web site for ARCH-UK. The Hub of ARCH-UK then drafted a summary (strategic) report that was submitted to the funders (BBSRC and NERC) for use in their development of the final call for funding in the Aquaculture Initiative. In Year 2 of ARCH UK we have organised our first Annual Meeting (Belfast, September 2018) and several themed workshops. We have also concentrated on the development of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) by holding training sessions and ensuring their involvement in workshops. We provide financial support of ca. £150 for each ECR to attend workshops. All of these events have been well-received by delegates. In Year 3 of ARCH-UK we organised several workshops, organised our second Annual Science Event (Stirling, July 19) and provided opportunities for early career researchers to take greater roles in ARCH-UK. The Annual Report due to be submitted to the funders in March 2020 gives details of these activities and those planned for 2020-21 UPDATE 2020-2021. The current situation with coronavirus lockdown commencing in March 2020 has resulted in changes in our delivery - especially workshops and face-to-face events that have been all cancelled. In particular, the ASE for summer 2020 to be held in Swansea was cancelled. Instead, in collaboration with the funders, we have changed our deliverables to provide a series of successful webinars, on line training in impact for ECRs, and 'position papers'. UPDATE 2021-22 (end of grant). Our emphasis in this last year was to produce a series of position papers as agreed with the funders. The shellfish component of the grant did not organise and face-to-face meetings during the period. |
| Exploitation Route | These are of general interest to both industry and acdemia. They may also be of use to governmental organisations such as FSA and Defra/Cefas. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Description | The purpose of ARCH-UK is to facilitate the development of a community of people that works together towards the goal of the development of sustainable aquaculture systems. It also has the role of academic leadership in helping RCUK develop a strategic research agenda that will underpin capacity and the needs of industry. Overall, our role is assist in the development of a thriving aquaculture community in the UK that will help industry in the national food security agenda. To achieve these goals we have:1. Creating Eight Working Groups; 2. Formed an independent Advisory Board that reports to the funders and guides the Hub as necessary; 3. Provided a Strategic Report to the funders; 4. Created a Website and Twitter that informs our membership; 5. Developed a focussed group to meet the needs of Early Career Researchers (in our case this refers to all postdoctoral staff not in permanent posts) and 6. Developed focussed Workshops and Annual Science Events (The first of these took place in 2018). Both the Annual Science Event and the Workshops were highly successful events. UPDATE 2021: Post covid lockdown, the objectives of this Network have changed from Workshops and Annual Science Events to webinars, on-line training and position papers. A six month, no cost extension, has aided this. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education,Environment |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | REPORT FROM ARCH-UK ON THE POTENTIAL RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM'S AQUACULTURE R&D |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | This will strengthen the research capability of the academic and industrial community in the UK. ARCH-UK proves a mechanism to review progress of the final round of the Aquaculture Initiative grants |
| Description | ARCH-UK membership |
| Organisation | Seafish |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | ARCH-UK holds a database of over 480 individuals as of March 2019 and their organisations in the UK that are kept informed on a regular basis (monthly newsletters) of the outcomes of the project and how they can be involved. Of the ca. 480 members, 282 are from academia and 94 from industry (producers and suppliers). These members have been invited to meetings of Working Groups and the Annual Science Event that were held during 2018-19. The membership is across industry, regulators and academia. ARCH-UK hub has a high profile on Twitter that has grown by 247% since last year. Google searches for ARCH-UK stand at 2,029 - an increase of 458%. SAGB and Seafish are key partner organisations that provide support via the Advisory Board and participate in our meetings. |
| Collaborator Contribution | These individuals have contributed their expertise in drafting the Strategic Report that was submitted to BBSRC/NERC in late 2017. They participate in workshops organised by ARCH-UK by helping with the organisation and delivering talks. |
| Impact | 1. Strategic Report to BBSRC/NERC Aquaculture Initiative 2. Organisation and participation in workshops 3. Act as advisors via membership of the Advisory Board |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | ARCH-UK membership |
| Organisation | Shellfish Association of Great Britain |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | ARCH-UK holds a database of over 480 individuals as of March 2019 and their organisations in the UK that are kept informed on a regular basis (monthly newsletters) of the outcomes of the project and how they can be involved. Of the ca. 480 members, 282 are from academia and 94 from industry (producers and suppliers). These members have been invited to meetings of Working Groups and the Annual Science Event that were held during 2018-19. The membership is across industry, regulators and academia. ARCH-UK hub has a high profile on Twitter that has grown by 247% since last year. Google searches for ARCH-UK stand at 2,029 - an increase of 458%. SAGB and Seafish are key partner organisations that provide support via the Advisory Board and participate in our meetings. |
| Collaborator Contribution | These individuals have contributed their expertise in drafting the Strategic Report that was submitted to BBSRC/NERC in late 2017. They participate in workshops organised by ARCH-UK by helping with the organisation and delivering talks. |
| Impact | 1. Strategic Report to BBSRC/NERC Aquaculture Initiative 2. Organisation and participation in workshops 3. Act as advisors via membership of the Advisory Board |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Engagement with representatives of aquaculture industry and their organisations in the UK-SAGB Annual Meeting 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Andrew Rowley presented a talk to the SAGB Annual Meeting in May 2017 on behalf of ARCH-UK. This was to highlight our goals and to engage with all sectors of the shellfish aquaculture industry in the UK. James Taylor ' manned' a stand at the meeting in 2018/2019 to publicise our activities and attract new members. In May 2019 we will have a joint meeting on Oyster cultivation between SAGB and ARCH-UK. We will be representing ARCH-UK at the upcoming SAGB meeting in may 2020 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | Engagement with representatives of aquaculture industry and their organisations in the UK-Seafish Aquaculture Common Issues Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Seafish represents the UK aquaculture and fisheries organisations. Andrew Rowley and others from the ARCH-UK hub have attended all meetings in 2017-2020 and given updates on our activities to an audience of industry, regulators and other interested parties. We use this to publicise our workshops to ensure industry engagement. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | Microplastics, Aquaculture & Fisheries Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The micro-plastics workshop sought to bring together the prominent names in the field with representation from academia, industry and policy to review our current understanding of micro-plastics and the environmental impacts they may have. A series of talks from both academia and policy addressed two main themes during round-table discussion. Firstly, are micro-plastics dangerous to fish and shellfish 'health'? Secondly, are micro-plastics in fish and shellfish of any risk to human health? Session one covered the broader aspects of the effects of micro-plastics in the marine environment. Professor Tamara Galloway of the University of Exeter opened with an overview of the current research and understanding of micro- and nano-plastics. Discussed were the sources of their existence, problems they may pose and to highlight the further-research requirement looking to the future if we are to both better understand the true concerns, and if any, how we might go about preparing ourselves to prevent or deal with these. Session two addressed some more specific questions and aspects of micro-plastics' effects with references to case-studies and current policy. Dr. Matthew Cole of Plymouth Marine Laboratory informed on a less commonly heard of aspect in antifouling paint particles, which are typically produced during the maintenance or weathering of boats. These particles are often shed during the process of keeping a vessel seaworthy, and have been shown to accumulate in certain marine species, but to what effect? This event strengthened dialogues between academia, industry and policy - leading to further discussion and engagement. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.aquaculturehub-uk.com/past-events/2019/8/26/microplastics-aquaculture-amp-fisheries-a-ri... |
| Description | Review of Aquaculture in Wales |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The purpose of this was to highlight the research activities of Welsh organisation in the filed of aquaculture. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Workshops e.g. Shellfish & Human Health Workshop 6th July 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This workshop sought to review the current UK food safety resulting from shellfish cultivation with viewpoints from industry and regulators. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |