Dr Llucia Mascorda-Cabre

I am a Postdoctoral researcher with the aMER Unit undertaking research on the impacts of aquaculture and MPAs. My PhD project assessed the overall footprint of an offshore longline mussel farm in its surrounding environment, in Lyme Bay, UK. The objectives were to study the ecosystem interactions between the farm and the oceanography and ecology of the area by examining the hydrodynamic and physiochemical regime, the surrounding plankton community as well as the pelagic and benthic assemblages.
I am currently undertaking research on the impacts of aquaculture and MPAs on the Defra funded FISP project, Ropes to Reefs. Ropes to Reefs is a fisher, farmer, scientist collaboration to evidence fish stock and habitat benefits of Offshore Aquaculture to inform future management and policy. The project aims to assess the ecosystem services and benefits of offshore aquaculture, assess the restoration of essential fish habitat (EFH), biodiversity and associated healthy fish stocks (biomass) in Lyme Bay which includes an offshore mussel farm, a scallop ranch, a seaweed farm and the Lyme Bay MPA.
 
For more information:

https://sheehanresearchgroup.com/offshore-mussels/
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/marine-conservation-research-group/offshore-mussel-farm-ecology
Offshore Shellfish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX1HL8O2pnw
https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-offshore-mussel-farms-help-to-repair-the-ocean/

Employment

Education

Volunteering

Marine Biological AssociationBritish Ecological Society
Marine Conservation Society
Society for Conservation Biology
European Aquaculture Society

- Contribute to ICES WKTOPSgroup- Organise NSA 2021 NAEMO workshop

I am an early ecology and conservation researcher with 10 years experience in collecting and interpreting measurements from a diverse range of dynamic regimes in the terrestrial and marine environment. Both my academic and professional experience have always involved a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to marine conservation and resource management. I believe that studying and understanding the links between biodiversity and its function within the ecosystem is crucial.

NAEMO Workshop 2021Organiser member. Video editor
PlyMSEF 2019Conference Committee member

Conference presentations:

Journal committee and editor: 

Coming conferences 

After obtaining a BSc (Hons) from the University of Plymouth, UK, I moved to Madagascar to work as a Science Officer and Volunteer Coordinator for two well-known NGOs. In Madagascar, I contributed to the re-writing of the science project, performed various underwater surveys and trained volunteers to perform the scientific diving program. Upon my return to the UK, I worked as a terrestrial ecological surveyor for a renowned ecological consultancy before embarking on a three year post as a Marine Lead Adviser for Natural England (NE). Based in the South West of England, I worked on the designation of new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) advising DEFRA on pre- and post-designation as well as leading on stakeholder engagement programs as the Exe Estuary MPA site lead. As part of my role, I also developed new Conservation Advice packages for SW MPAs and dealt with casework. I also joined the RV Cefas Endeavour vessel to perform MCZ verification surveys along the SW coast as part of a joint Cefas/NE project. 
In 2016, I embarked on a new adventure by joining an Erasmus Mundus Master. During the following two years I studied in four different Universities in four different countries which finalised with achieving a Master (cum laude) with the best mark of my cohort, being awarded with a price for my accomplishment. I performed my master thesis under the supervision of Professor Graham Edgar from the University of Tasmania. During my time at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) I studied the impact of MPA size on biological outcomes which earn me a distinction. 
In 2019, I started a new chapter on my scientific career as a PhD student as part of Dr Emma Sheehan’s research group in the University of Plymouth, UK. During this 4 year PhD, I will embark into the study of ecological and oceanographic environmental impacts of a novel large-scale offshore mussel farm in Lyme Bay, SW UK.