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Open Water Ecology

Hanna

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: 
Chiara1

Chiara Bertelli

Research assistant, SEACAMS2 
Specialist subjects:
Marine biologist with over 10 years experience of coastal and marine ecological survey work including boat-based and SCUBA surveys.  Interests include seagrass ecology, benthic and fish ID, acoustic monitoring of cetaceans, BRUV and marine conservation, monitoring and management in specific reference to the marine renewable energy sector. Currently studying a part-time PhD looking at environmental drivers of change in seagrass meadows. Also working on a Sky Ocean Rescue seagrass restoration project in partnership with WWF.

Swansea webpage: 
Nick

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

Emma-Louise Cole

Research Assistant, SEACAMS2

Research interests: Seabird behaviour and movement ecology. I am currently developing techniques to monitor and investigate the diving behaviour of seabirds and how utilising specific current vectors and tidal patterns can optimise foraging. Knowing how seabird species respond to particular hydrographic features can help us to predict the nature of interactions between diving birds and marine renewable energy installations.

Recent publications:
COLE, E. , WAGGITT, J. J., HEDENSTROM, A. , PIANO, M. , HOLTON, M. D., BÖRGER, L. and SHEPARD, E. L. (2019), The Ornithodolite as a tool to quantify animal space use and habitat selection: a case study with birds diving in tidal waters. Integrative Zoology, 14: 4-16. doi:10.1111/1749-4877.12327

DUNNING, J., DIAMOND, A.W., CHRISTMAS, S.E., COLE, E-L., HOLBERTON, R.L., JACKSON, H.J., KELLY, K.G., BROWN, D., ROJAS RIVIARA, I. and HANLEY, D. (2018), Photoluminescence in the bill of the Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica. Bird Study, 65(4), pp.570-573.

Novella

Dr Novella Franconi

Research Assistant, SEACAMS2
Research experience includes movement and behavioural ecology and applied experience in natural resources management; population and invasive species surveys, behavioural observations, capture-mark-recapture and radiotracking, and 5 years experience as Research Project Manager. Recently specialised in database management/curation. Currently developing a relational database for animal biologging data recorded with the Swansea Daily Diary technology.

Angharad James

Angharad James

Technician, SEACAMS2

Marine biologist working on several projects involving cetacean and seal surveys, acoustic monitoring, UAVs and genetic sampling. Having completed her masters on marine mammal monitoring and management at tidal energy sites, she wants to pursue a PhD studying the effects of anthropogenic change on tropical ecosystems.