Dr Katie Brigden has been appointed as Fisheries Scientist to work on a pioneering fish industry ‘self-sampling’ scheme for pelagic stocks. Her new role is supported by the EU PANDORA project, under which the NAFC Marine Centre in Shetland is partnering with the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA) and Marine Scotland Science (MSS).
The self-sampling project is intended to develop a platform under which Scottish pelagic fishermen can scientifically sample mackerel, herring and blue whiting to enhance knowledge of these stocks, which in turn will be used as part of the scientific input for their sustainable management.
Dr Brigden recently completed a PhD with the University of Aberdeen and the South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute in the Falkland Islands, where she worked with the fishing industry in her studies on Patagonian toothfish on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia.
In her new role, she will be based in Shetland under the supervision of Dr Chevonne Angus of the NAFC Marine Centre, and will work closely with Dr Steven Mackinson of the SPFA, Dr Liz Clarke of MSS and others to test and refine sampling procedures.
‘I’m excited to take up the role of Fisheries Scientist on the PANDORA self-sampling project. It’s a great opportunity to work with industry in developing data collection methods which will provide high-quality data to inform science and management,’ Dr Brigden said.
