Science policy development and delivery

  • Extensive practical experience the development of domestic (Scottish, UK) and EU conservation legislation, having played a significant role in the development and delivery of a number of key fisheries and conservation legislative instruments and national policy documents over the last 15 years.

  • Provision of science and policy advice to the Minister, Ministerial Task Forces and Working Groups (e.g. Ministerial Task Force on Gyrodactylus salaris, Ministerial Working Group on Sustainable Aquaculture, Ministerial Review of Fisheries Management Structures etc.)

  • Provision of advice to national bodies within the UK (including the Scottish Government, Environment Agency, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Defra).

  • Provision, when required, of direct briefings to Scottish Ministers and indirect advice to the UK and Scottish Parliamentarians through the Parliamentary Question [PQ] procedure and mail correspondence. This also extends to the provision of both written and oral evidence to Parliamentary Committees.

  • I provide support and briefing material to senior management within Scottish Natural Heritage, including briefing documents to Chief Executive, Boards and Directors when required.

  • National role in the implementation of various aspects of the Water Framework Directive. I am a member of a number of topic groups which advise the UK Technical Advisory Group [UKTAG] on tool development and WFD policy, including invasive non-native species and renewable (hydro) energy.

  • I am also currently involved as the UK conservation agency representative in the topic group tasked with the development of fish classification tools for the Water Framework Directive - I have played a key role in the development of fish population assessment methodologies in standing waters within the UK and am recognised as one of the UK experts in this field.

International Contributions to Governmental and Non- Governmental Science Policy and Advice

  • Provision of advice to the European Commission on issues relating to the conservation of freshwater fish and invasive non-native (aquatic) species.

  • Drafting of the Habitats Directive Article 17 reports for the European Commission.

  • Provision of advice to inform UK reporting to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

  • UK Government (Member State) representative on the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (part of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation)

  • Elected member of the EIFAAC Science and Technical Committee.