PhD Studentship: Integrating Novel Fishery-Independent Techniques to Monitor the Recovery of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna in Southwest UK Waters

Integrating Novel Fishery-Independent Techniques to Monitor the Recovery of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna in Southwest UK Waters

Lead Supervisor (DoS): Dr Lilian Lieber

Second Supervisor: Dr Bryce Stewart

Third Supervisor: Professor Michael Cunliffe

Fourth Supervisor: Dr Peter Miller

Applications are invited for three 3.5 year PhD studentships with the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth. The studentships are due to start on 1^st October 2025.

This project is one of nine topics being considered for an anticipated three studentships. Six topics are inviting candidates from open recruitment, with the remaining three following a different route to interview. The studentships will be allocated to the best combinations of candidate and project as they emerge from the interviews across all topics.

Plymouth has been at the forefront of global marine research for more than a century, and today it is home to the largest concentration of marine researchers in the UK. Come and join our vibrant community of marine PhD students.

Project Description

Once overexploited, Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus; BFT) have reappeared in UK waters with particularly frequent seasonal sightings in the Southwest. The Marine Management Organisation and Defra have recently launched a trial UK commercial BFT fishery. However, little is known about the impact of new fisheries on populations which have only recently recovered. Therefore, early BFT monitoring is essential to ensure sustainable management and continued recovery. Renowned for their speed, power and size (reaching over 3 metres in length), BFT are highly valuable economically, and play a key ecological role as apex predators. In the Southwest, multi-species foraging aggregations involving BFT, forage fish, seabirds and sometimes marine mammals are common and understanding these trophic interactions will inform ecosystem-based management. Quantifying key underlying biophysical drivers will lead to a more predictive understanding of BFT distributional trends in our changing ocean experiencing both ‘tropicalization’ (ocean warming) and ‘marine urbanisation’ (offshore energy).

This project collaborates with recreational fishers in the Southwest. Aerial drone mapping from angling boats will be used to extract key BFT school metrics (school and individual sizes) and foraging behaviour. Oceanographic profiling with a handheld CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) and novel plankton imaging sensors will characterise the water column, while satellite remote sensing will explore links between ocean surface features (e.g. fronts) and foraging. Water samples will be collected to determine multi-species BFT foraging aggregations using state-of-the-art plankton and fish eDNA metabarcoding.

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in cutting-edge marine research techniques, gaining practical expertise and analytical tools valued in both industry and academia. This multi-faceted project can be tailored to the student’s interest with training including drone flying, machine learning, oceanographic profiling, plankton imaging, satellite remote sensing, and eDNA techniques.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Lilian Lieber.

For further information on Eligibility and Funding, please click on the links below: 

• Eligibility
• Funding

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button above.  

Please clearly state the name of the DoS and the studentship that you are applying for at the top of your personal statement. 

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 3^rd February 2025.

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