Open Water Ecology

Dr Hanna Nuuttila

Science officer, SEACAMS2
Research expertise:

Hanna is a mammal scientist and bioacoustician conducting research into environmental impacts of marine renewable energy (MRE) devices, including device noise particularly potential effects on marine mammals. She is also assessing the feasibility of novel and traditional surveying and monitoring methods for potential tidal and wave energy extraction sites, including various static and towed acoustic methods, underwater video and aerial imagery using UAVs.

Current and planned projects include:

Cetacean monitoring using a combination of C-POD and Soundtrap acoustic dataloggers; Assessment of UAV use for harbour porpoise monitoring in turbid waters; Measuring noise generated by wave energy device

Swansea webpage:

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/staff/science/biosciences/h.k.nuuttila/

Chiara Bertelli

Research assistant, SEACAMS2
Specialist subjects:
Marine biologist with over 10 years experience of coastal, boat-based and diving marine and coastal survey, seagrass ecology, benthic and fish ID, acoustic monitoring of cetaceans, BRUV. Currently studying a part-time PhD looking at environmental drivers of change in seagrass meadows.

Swansea webpage:

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/staff/science/biosciences/c.m.bertelli/

Dr Nick Fleming

Science Officer, SEACAMS2

Research expertise:

Pelagic & trophic ecology, population dynamics, fisheries & benthic ecology.

Current work includes investigating spatial and temporal distributions & the use of molecular techniques to determine the population dynamics of commercially important fisheries species; ecological and environmental impacts of marine renewable energy (MRE) devices on commercially important fisheries species using hydroacoustic, baited remote underwater vehicles (BRUVs) and contemporary molecular approaches.

Emma-Louise Coles

Research Assistant
SEACAMS2
Specialist subjects and interests:
Bird survey and handling from raptors to passerines; movement ecology and behaviour of birds in relation to conservation efforts; seabird movements and distributions in areas of high tidal activity. I am concerned with how diving birds in particular utilise specific features of these dynamic waters and to investigate any potential interactions that may occur with marine renewable energy devices.