Profile

Biography

Bryce is a marine ecologist and fisheries biologist whose work has ranged from temperate estuaries to tropical coral reefs and the deep-sea. The central thread in his research has been to gain an increased understanding of the factors regulating marine populations and communities so as to ensure their sustainable utilisation. His work on deep-sea fishes was among the first to demonstrate their extreme longevity, and on coral reefs he provided new evidence for mechanisms of community regulation of prey fish by predators. More recently his focus has been on how to improve the management of fisheries through the use of predictive recruitment models, marine protected areas and stock enhancement. Bryce has also been especially active in promoting the sale and consumption of sustainable seafood by working with everyone from government ministers to fishermen, restaurants and supermarket chains.

Career

Lecturer	Environment Department, University of York, UK
PhD	James Cook University, QLD, AUS
BSc	University of Melbourne, VIC, AUS

Departmental roles

MRes in Ecology and Environmental Management: Co-ordinator

Open Day: Co-ordinator

Library: Co-ordinator

Research

Overview

Bryce’s research is currently focussed on three main themes:

Management of Marine Fisheries and Ecosystems

For the past decade Bryce has been conducting research on the biology, impacts and management of scallop fisheries, especially in the Irish Sea. A particular focus has been on examining the utility of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for providing breeding refuges for scallops and mitigating the environmental effects of scallop fishing gear. This work has had considerable influence on fisheries management policies in the United Kingdom. More recently his interest in fisheries management has been expanded to examine the use of MPAs for other species, and how to reduce discards and by-catch in finfish fisheries. He is also collaborating with the Marine Conservation Society on a project in the Maldives that is investigating the effectiveness of MPAs for increasing the resilience of coral reef fish communities to fishing pressure and climate change.

Bycatch in a scallop fishery (PDF , 310kb)

Video of fish surveys in the Isle of Arran Marine Reserve

The Effects of Environmental Change on Marine Ecosystems

Recent research has revealed that scallop populations are currently being benefited by climate change. However, effects further into the future and on the benthic community in general are likely to be more complicated. Bryce is currently examining long-term datasets in collaboration with his research students and colleagues at Bangor University and the Galway Marine Institute of Technology to explore these concepts. An interesting angle to consider in the future will be the effect of ocean acidification on marine invertebrate communities.

The Effectiveness of the Sustainable Seafood Movement

During his time at the Marine Conservation Society and also as a private consultant, Bryce became extensively involved in the promotion and assessment of “sustainable” seafood. He is now involved in examining awareness of sustainable seafood among consumers, retailers and chefs. He is also exploring evidence for the effects of the sustainable seafood movement on the management of fisheries.

Research group(s)

Ecosystems and Society Research Cluster, Environment Department, University of York

Grants

2011-2013	Flora and Fauna International	£182,000, CM Roberts, JP Hawkins and BD Beukers-Stewart	Conservation of the Firth of Clyde, Scotland
2008-2009	NE, CCW & SNH	£4100, BD Beukers-Stewart and JS Beukers-Stewart	Principles for the management of inshore scallop fisheries around the United Kingdom
2008-2011	NERC PhD Studentship	£68,543, BD Beukers-Stewart and RL Brown	Untangling the effect of fishing and environmental change on marine benthic communities
2007-2008	Pump priming grant, University of York	£900, BD Beukers-Stewart	Untangling the effect of fishing and environmental change on marine benthic communities
2006-2007	Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Isle of Man Government, UK	£36,000, AR Brand and BD Beukers-Stewart	Scallop Fisheries Research
2005-2006	Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Isle of Man Government, UK	£120,000, AR Brand and BD Beukers-Stewart	Scallop Fisheries Research
2003-2006	Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, UK	£149,950 in total with £18,000 awarded to my research group	Towards a network of Marine Protected Areas in the British Isles

Supervision

Current Students 

• Rachel Brown (PhD) Untangling the effect of fishing and environmental change on marine benthic communities
• Leigh Howarth (PhD) The ecological and fishery effects of Scotland’s first no-take marine reserve

Publications

Selected publications

Diamond B & Beukers-Stewart BD (2011). Fisheries discards in the North Sea: Waste of resources or a necessary evil? Reviews in Fisheries Science. 19(3): 231-245. Diamond & Beukers-Stewart (2011) (PDF , 665kb)

Full publications list

Papers in preparation

Howarth LM, Roberts CM, Thurstan RH and Beukers-Stewart BD. From finfish to invertebrates: can we go back, do we want to? 

Beukers-Stewart JS and Beukers-Stewart BD. Ecologically sustainable scallop fisheries: oxymoron or achievable goal? Fish and Fisheries.

Beukers-Stewart BD et al. Mechanisms of damage in a scallop dredge fishery. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.

Atkins R and Beukers-Stewart BD. Pristine and protected: re-setting the baseline for coral reef fish communities. Conservation Biology

Papers in revision

Craven HR, Brand AR and Beukers-Stewart BD. Patterns and impacts of fish bycatch in a scallop dredge fishery. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

Papers published

Beukers-Stewart BD, Beukers-Stewart JS and Jones GP. (2011) Behavioural and developmental responses of predatory coral reef fish to variation in the abundance of prey. Coral Reefs 30: 855-864. Beukers-Stewart et al (2011) (PDF , 496kb)

Diamond B & Beukers-Stewart BD (2011). Fisheries discards in the North Sea: Waste of resources or a necessary evil? Reviews in Fisheries Science. 19(3): 231-245. Diamond & Beukers-Stewart (2011) (PDF , 665kb)

Howarth LM, Wood HL, Turner AP and Beukers-Stewart BD (2011). Complex habitat boosts scallop recruitment in a fully protected marine reserve. Marine Biology 158: 1767-1780. Howarth et al (2011) (PDF , 925kb)

Shephard S, Beukers-Stewart BD, Hiddink JG, Brand AR, Kaiser MJ (2010). Strengthening recruitment of exploited scallops with ocean warming. Marine Biology. 157: 91-97. Shephard et al (2010) (PDF , 301kb)   

Vause BJ, Beukers-Stewart BD, Brand AR (2007). Fluctuations and forecasts in the fishery for queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis) around the Isle of Man. ICES Journal of Marine Science. 64: 1134-1135. Vause et al (2007) (PDF , 499kb)

Bogan YM, Kennedy DJ, Harkin AL, Gillespie J, Vause BJ, Beukers-Stewart BD, Hess P, Slater JW (2007). Variation in domoic acid concentration in king scallop (Pecten maximus) from fishing grounds around the Isle of Man. Harmful Algae. 6: 81-92. Bogan et al (2007) (PDF , 462kb)

Beukers-Stewart BD, Vause BJ, Mosley MWJ, Brand AR (2006). Closed areas and stock enhancement of scallops: what’s the catch? Journal of Shellfish Research 25: 267-268. Beukers-Stewart et al (2006) (PDF , 72kb)

Vause BJ, Beukers-Stewart BD, Brand AR (2006). Age composition and growth rates of queen scallops Aequipecten opercularis (L.) around the Isle of Man. Journal of Shellfish Research 25: 310-312. Vause et al (2006) (PDF , 79kb)  

Watts, PC, Mallanaphy PJ, McCarthy C, Beukers-Stewart BD, Mosley MWJ, Brand AR and Saccheri IJ. (2005) Polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from the great scallop, Pecten maximus (Bivalvia: Pectinidae). Molecular Ecology Notes. 5: 902-904. Watts et al (2005) (PDF , 79kb)

Beukers-Stewart BD, Vause BJ, Mosley MWJ, Rossetti HL and Brand AR. (2005) Benefits of closed area protection for a population of scallops. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 298: 189-204. Beukers-Stewart (2005) (PDF , 408kb)  

Beukers-Stewart BD and Jones GP. (2004). The influence of prey abundance on the feeding ecology of two piscivorous species of coral reef fish. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 299: 155-184. Beukers-Stewart & Jones (2004) (PDF , 721kb)

Beukers-Stewart BD, Mosley MWJ and Brand AR (2003). Population dynamics and predictions in the Isle of Man fishery for the great scallop, Pecten maximus (L.). ICES Journal of Marine Science 60: 224-242. Beukers-Stewart (2003) (PDF , 1,534kb)  

Beukers-Stewart BD, Jenkins SR and Brand AR (2001). The efficiency and selectivity of spring-toothed scallop dredges: a comparison of direct and indirect methods of assessment. Journal of Shellfish Research 20:121-126.

Jenkins SR, Beukers-Stewart BD and Brand AR (2001). The effect of scallop dredging on benthic megafauna: a comparison of damage levels in captured and non-captured organisms. Marine Ecology Progress Series 215: 297-301. Jenkins et al (2001) (PDF , 84kb)  

Stewart BD and Jones GP (2001). Associations between the abundance of piscivorous fishes and their prey on coral reefs: implications for prey fish mortality. Marine Biology 138:383-397. Stewart & Jones (2001) (PDF , 261kb)  

Stewart BD and Beukers JS (2000). Baited technique improves censuses of cryptic fish in complex habitats. Marine Ecology Progress Series 197: 259-272. Stewart & Beukers (2000) (PDF , 1,526kb)

Stewart BD, Fenton GE, Smith DC and Short SA (1995). Validation of otolith increment age estimates for a deepwater fish species, warty oreo, Allocyttus verrucosus by radiometric analysis. Marine Biology 123: 29-38. Stewart et al (1995) (PDF , 1,081kb)  

Jenkins GP, Shaw M and Stewart BD. (1993). Spatial variation in food limited growth of juvenile flounder, Rhombosolea taparina Gunther: evidence from otolith daily increments and otolith scaling. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 50: 2558-2567.

May HMA, Stewart BD. (1992). Feeding ecology and condition of larvae – Discussion. In: Hancock DA (ed). Larval Biology. Bureau of Rural Resources Proceedings No. 15, AGPS, Canberra, p 62-65

Stewart BD and Jenkins GP. (1991). Daily growth increments in the otoliths of juvenile greenback flounder, Rhombosolea taparina Gunther, 1862. Journal of Fish Biology 39: 605-608.

Selected Reports

Diamond B and Beukers-Stewart BD (2009) Fisheries discards: waste of a resource or a necessary evil? Report to the European Commission on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. University of York. Diamond & Beukers-Stewart (2009) (PDF , 1,856kb)

Beukers-Stewart BD and Beukers-Stewart JS (2009) Principles for the Management of Inshore Scallop Fisheries around the United Kingdom. Report to Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage and Countryside Council for Wales. University of York. Beukers-Stewart & Beukers-Stewart (2009) (PDF , 1,488kb)

Brand AR and Beukers-Stewart BD. (2000 to 2005) Shellfish Research Report to the Isle of Man Government, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Port Erin Marine Laboratory, University of Liverpool. (Separate report submitted each year).

Smith DC and Stewart BD. (1994). Development of methods to age commercially important dories and oreos. Final Report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Project 91/36. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Victorian Fisheries Research Institute, Victoria, Australia.

Stewart BD. (1992). Synopsis of the biology of commercially important species of dories and oreos (Order: Zeiformes) in southern Australasian waters: A review of the literature. Department of Conservation and Environment, Fisheries Division, Victoria, Australia. Internal Report no. 196.

Selected Presentations

Beukers-Stewart BD (2011) Can we have our fish and eat it? Keynote speaker. Conservation Forum: Annual Conference of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. November 2011, Horncastle, UK. Beukers-Stewart (2011)

Beukers-Stewart BD, Beukers-Stewart JS, Vause BJ and Brand AR (2009) Can MPAs sustain scallop fisheries? Invited seminar. Seachange: an  International Conference on Marine Protected Areas. December 2009, London, UK. Beukers-Stewart et al (2009) (PDF , 1,776kb)

Beukers-Stewart BD and Beukers-Stewart JS (2009) Management of UK scallop fisheries: current status and future opportunities. Invited seminar. Fisheries Research Services, September 2009, Aberdeen, UK.

Brown RL, Beukers-Stewart BD and Brand AR (2009) Long-term effects of anthropogenic and environmental change on the benthic communities of commercially exploited scallop grounds. 44th European Marine Biology Symposium, September 2009, Liverpool, UK.

Beukers-Stewart BD and Beukers-Stewart JS (2007) Monkfish: a cautionary tail. Catching for the Market Workshop, Seafood Scotland and Seafood Choices Alliance. Invited seminar. October 2007, Edinburgh, UK.

Beukers-Stewart BD and Brand AR (2007). Seeking sustainable scallops: do MPAs really work? Invited seminar. Coastal Futures Conference, January 2007, London, UK.

Beukers-Stewart BD (2006). Can we have our fish and eat it? Invited seminar, Defra, Marine and Fisheries Division, June 2006, London, UK.

Beukers-Stewart BD, Vause BJ, Mosley MWJ and Brand AR. (2005) Closed areas and stock enhancement of scallops: what’s the catch? 15th International Pectinid Workshop, April 2005, Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia.

Beukers-Stewart BD (2005) Closed areas and stock enhancement of scallops: what’s the catch? Invited seminar. Seafish Industry Authority, February 2005, Edinburgh, UK.

Beukers-Stewart BD, Vause BJ, Mosley MWJ and Brand AR (2004). Evidence for larval export of scallops from a small closed area off the Isle of Man. ICES Annual Conference, September 2004, Vigo, Spain. Beukers-Stewart et al (2004) (PDF , 202kb)

Beukers-Stewart BD, Vause BJ, Mosley MWJ and Brand AR (2003). Benefits of a closed area for a population of scallops, Pecten maximus, around the Isle of Man. 14th International Pectinid Workshop, April 2003, St Petersburg, USA.

Beukers-Stewart BD (2001) Predator-prey relationships in coral reef fish communities: is there potential for top-down control? Invited seminar, University of Newcastle, November 2001, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Beukers-Stewart BD, Mosley MWJ and Brand AR (2001). Predicting fluctuations in scallop catches: how far can you go? 13th International Pectinid Workshop, April 2001, Coquimbo, Chile.

Beukers-Stewart BD and Brand AR (2000). Recent trends in the Isle of Man fishery for scallops and queens. Irish Sea Forum, October 2000, Douglas, Isle of Man.

Selected Popular Articles

Beukers-Stewart BD (2006). Kings and queens of the Isle of Man: Seeking sustainable scallops. Marine Conservation. Winter 2006: 7-10. Marine Conservation Society.

Beukers-Stewart BD (2006) Marine protection works. Sea Angler. October 2006: 119.

Beukers-Stewart BD (2006) Skating on thin ice. Sea Angler. June 2006: 141

Beukers-Stewart BD (2006) Size matters. Sea Angler. May 2006: 66

Beukers-Stewart BD and Bache D (2006). Can we have our fish and eat it? Marine Conservation. Spring 2006: 5-10. Marine Conservation Society.

Beukers-Stewart BD (2004). Port Erin Marine Laboratory: can it weather the storm? The Marine Scientist, No. 7 2Q, pp 16-17, IMAREST, London.

Teaching

Undergraduate

1st Year

• Ecological Principles for the Environment
• Current Topics in Environmental Science
• Introduction to Environmental Geography

Postgraduate

MSc

• Ocean and Coastal Processes (Convenor)
• Biodiversity and Conservation Biology (Convenor)
• Red Sea Field Trip
• Marine Management Case Study
• Climate Change: Science and Management

External activities

Memberships

• Member - Defra Marine Fisheries Science Advisory Group
• Scientific Adviser - UK National Scallop Group

Editorial duties

• Manuscript Reviewer - Marine Ecology Progress Series, Marine Biology, ICES Journal of Marine Science, Journal of Fish Biology, Journal of the Marine Biological Association UK, Coral Reefs, Marine Environmental Research, Fish and Fisheries.
• Report Reviewer - Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO)
• Seafood Sustainability Adviser - Blue Ocean Institute, USA  http://www.blueocean.org/seafood

Invited talks and conferences

Beukers-Stewart BD (2011) Can we have our fish and eat it? Keynote speaker. Conservation Forum: Annual Conference of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. November 2011, Horncastle, UK. Beukers-Stewart (2011)

Beukers-Stewart BD, Beukers-Stewart JS, Vause BJ and Brand AR (2009) Can MPAs sustain scallop fisheries? Invited seminar. Seachange: an  International Conference on Marine Protected Areas. December 2009, London, UK. Beukers-Stewart et al (2009) (PDF , 1,776kb)

Beukers-Stewart BD and Beukers-Stewart JS (2009) Management of UK scallop fisheries: current status and future opportunities. Invited seminar. Fisheries Research Services, September 2009, Aberdeen, UK.

Beukers-Stewart BD and Beukers-Stewart JS (2007) Monkfish: a cautionary tail. Invited seminar. Catching for the Market Workshop, Seafood Scotland and Seafood Choices Alliance. October 2007, Edinburgh, UK.

Beukers-Stewart BD and Brand AR (2007). Seeking sustainable scallops: do MPAs really work? Invited seminar. Coastal Futures Conference, January 2007, London, UK.

Beukers-Stewart BD (2006). Can we have our fish and eat it? Invited seminar, Defra, Marine and Fisheries Division, June 2006, London, UK.

Beukers-Stewart BD (2005) Closed areas and stock enhancement of scallops: what’s the catch? Invited seminar. Seafish Industry Authority, February 2005, Edinburgh, UK.

Beukers-Stewart BD (2001) Predator-prey relationships in coral reef fish communities: is there potential for top-down control? Invited seminar, University of Newcastle, November 2001, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Media coverage

The Guardian: "EU fishing fleets discarded £2.7bn of cod, claims report" 1st August, 2011

Hugh's Fish Fight: "Discards Ban will boost fisheries says new research" 23rd June, 2011

BBC News: "Marine life flourishing at Lamlash reserve" 22nd April, 2011

MSN News: "Protected marine reserve hailed" 28th April, 2011

Science Daily: "Climate change boosts scallop stocks in UK waters" 13th October, 2009