PhD Environmentally sustainable creel fisheries (based at Heriot Watt Orkney campus)

Project Description

Marine regions around the world encounter similar ecological challenges linked to fishing activities, including those arising from fisheries that use passive or static gear such as traps. Passive gear fisheries (e.g., creels) are often deemed sustainable compared to mobile bottom towed gear fisheries, as they are associated with lower fuel use and seabed damage [1]. However, passive gears are often specifically associated with some other challenges (e.g. [2]). These challenges include impacts on marine biodiversity through bycatch of unwanted species or juvenile individuals (see, for example, [3]), pollution and other negative effects associated to gear losses [4].

Even though these challenges are often discussed in the scientific literature (for example [6 - 9]), many issues remain unresolved and often lacking sufficient scientific information. One such example is creel fisheries targeting crustaceans such as lobster (Homarus gammarus) and brown crab (Cancer pagurus). This fishery is widely practiced in the UK and faces a number of  sustainability challenges.

Aims of this project: This PhD project will focus on creel fisheries in Orkney and will examine approaches on how to improve creel fisheries for environmentally sustainable marine resource use. This aim will be addressed by systematically assessing the key issues in typical creel fisheries targeting brown crab and lobster in Scotland. The scientific objectives to be addressed during a 3.5-year PhD period would include assessing:

(Q1) ecological effects of creel fisheries on the species compositions caught using creels in these marine areas (with special focus on current bycatch rates),

(Q2) technical improvements to reduce bycatch rates of juvenile individuals of the target species and non-target species bycatch in these creel fisheries,

(Q3) extent of gear loss in this fishery and the associated risk of ghost fishing from derelict creels, and

(Q4) potential modifications in creel design (e.g. adaptations from other fisheries) which may lead to reductions in ghost fishing and thus improve environmental sustainability.

This PhD research will contribute to practical applications in creel fisheries, for example through collaboration with the Orkney Fisheries Association, to enhance their sustainability. Furthermore, the candidate will develop networking skills and disseminate the results in international forums. The results will inform future teaching activities.

The practical approach planned during this PhD project would consist of the following activities.

First, the project would aim to estimate fisheries effect on the marine environment (Q1). The candidate will assess catch compositions focussing on observed bycatches of juvenile individuals and non-target species in creels in the existing fisheries, including data collection, monitoring the catches and using video recording analysis.

Furthermore, the candidate will use ghost fishing estimations (Q3) based on summarizing earlier results in different trap gear fisheries based on (i) systematic literature review studies on ghost fishing rates and (ii) local interviews estimating gear loss rates. This approach will follow the one outlined, for example, in Rijkure et al. 2024 [10].

The second set of practical work will be conducted in a laboratory where the candidate will assess the morphology of target species and assess which technical modifications in creels (e.g. escape gaps / windows) and their sizes would fit best for excluding bycatch while retaining catches of target species (e.g., [11]). These results would aim to provide an insight into technological changes needed for improvements based on video recordings during the first part of the experiments (Q2 and Q4).

The final stage would include pilot experiments assessing the new modifications such as specifically modified escape panels or plates using degradable components, limiting ghost fishing (Q2 and Q4).

Eligibility:

This project is open to Home and overseas students. However, the scholarship only covers Home fees. International students need to cover the difference themselves.

• MSc degree in a relevant discipline such as fisheries management, fishing gear technology, marine science and ecology (preferably with fisheries science focus; however, that can be balanced with relevant experience).
• Experience with data collection at sea including all stages (preparation and planning experiments, working with equipment, collecting and recording information).
• Experience with quantitative data processing and statistical analysis.
• English: fluent (spoken and written).
• Willingness to be based on our Orkney campus

Desired criteria:

• Scientific communication experience including scientific writing and presentations to a scientific audience are desirable.
• Experience working with fisheries in Scotland (including creel fisheries) is an advantage.
• Experience with marine litter and fisheries-related marine litter is an advantage.

Funding

This is a full scholarship which will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and provide an annual stipend (£21,805 in 2026-27) for 42 months. Thereafter, candidates will be expected to pay a continuing affiliation fee (currently £130) whilst they complete writing up their thesis. Overseas candidates are welcome to apply but must be able to demonstrate that they can fund the difference in fees (approximately £22,000 GBP per year for 3.5 years).

How to Apply

1. To apply you must complete our online application form.
2. Please select PhD Environment as the programme and include the full project title, reference number (EGIS2026-KC) and supervisor name on your application form. Ensure that all fields marked as ‘required’ are complete.
3. Once have entered your personal details, click submit. You will be asked to upload your supporting documents. You must complete the section marked project proposal; provide a supporting statement (1-2 A4 pages) documenting your reasons for applying to this particular project, outlining your suitability and how you would approach the project. You must also upload your CV, a copy of your degree certificate and relevant transcripts and an academic reference in the relevant section of the application form.
4. If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 6.0.If you do not have IELTS 6.5, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies. For more information about your application and our English Language requirements, please see Section 10 of our page on English Language Requirements as part of your application.

Enquiries:

Please contact Dr Kristine Cerbule (k.cerbule@hw.ac.uk) for further information or an informal discussion.

Please contact egis-pgr-apps@hw.ac.uk for technical support with your application.

Timeline:

The closing date for applications is 5 July 2026.

Applicants will ideally be available to start in September 2026 but must be available to start by January 2027 at the latest.

References:

[1] Suuronen et al. (2012), doi: 10.1016/j.fishres.2011.12.009. [2] Gilman et al. (2021), doi: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86123-3. [3] Lively & McKenzie (2023), doi: 10.1016/bs.amb.2023.07.001. [4] Richardson et al. (2022), doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abq0135 [5] Cerbule et al. (2023), doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13820. [6] Spoors et al. (2021), doi: 10.1016/j.fishres.2021.105974. [7] Mašanović et al. (2023), doi: 10.1139/cjfas-2022-0190. [8] Goodman et al. (2021), doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112766. [9] Cerbule et al. (2023), doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115249. [10] Rijkure et al. (2024), doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106187. [11] Herrmann et al. (2021), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105495.