Response Of predators to Protection and Enhancement (ROPE)
Marine Conservation Research Group

“In the UK and worldwide there is increasing interest in the role of the ocean in sustainable food production and how best to manage ocean spaces for multiple uses. The mussel farms in Lyme Bay are located close to a marine protected area and locally important fishing grounds making it vital to better understand the ecological and economic implications”
Dr Simon Pittman, ROPE Research Project Manager, School of Biological and Marine Science, University of Plymouth
“The consequence of understanding the ecological role of the farm relative to the MPA will provide critical information for the future location and management of offshore aquaculture, MPAs and traditional fisheries.”
Marine & Fisheries Directorate, Dept. Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
“Exploring whether this offshore aquaculture benefits from neighbouring marine protected areas and influences commercially valuable species is essential to comprehend in order to ensure a sustainable future for this industry.”
Shellfish Association of Great Britain
Dr Emma Sheehan, Senior Research Fellow, ROPE Project Lead added:
“This project presents a unique and exciting opportunity to look at the effects of habitat enhancement resulting from offshore aquaculture development. Very little is known about the ecological consequences of offshore aquaculture, despite calls for a move towards offshore development and a recent emphasis on Blue Growth in the UK. Aquaculture is listed as one of the key development sectors and this study will support the evaluation of offshore aquaculture in sustainable management of the ocean.”