ACCE+ DLA programme: Spatio-temporal determinants of bycatch in Europe's most endangered seabird

This project, hosted between the newly-formed Avian Ecology Group at the University of Liverpool and the University of Oxford, is the perfect opportunity to bring together long-term and short-term datasets to understand the complex interactions between climate change, bycatch and fisheries discards policy to provide essential information for stakeholders and policy makers aiming to curb the decline of Europe’s most endangered seabird.

Project specifics

The project will use long-term tracking datasets, long-term ringing and survival datasets and newly developed GPS-sound recorders to build a picture of where Balearic shearwaters are most exposed and vulnerable to bycatch. By understanding the spatio-termporal determinants of bycatch, lobbyist will be able to accurately campaign for mitigation methods in appropriate fisheries and have the evidence needed to change political opinion. The project will use extant (10+ years) geolocator and GPS tracking data combined with new sound-recorder-GPS data. Stage one will map boat associations detected by GPS-sound devices for breeding birds in Mallorca. Stage two will use these detections to train machine learning algorithms (neural networks, random forests, deep learning) to identify boat interactions in geolocator immersion loggers which can be deployed year-round and thus bycatch exposure measured over entire annual cycle. Stage three involves revisiting historic survival (from ringing) and geolocator data to understand how bycatch exposure predicts individual survival and demographic trends. Finally, we will model how the (2019) EU discards ban might affect population decline, particularly whether the ban reduces birds’ opportunity to form positive associations between boats and food, affecting bycatch risk.

Candidate profile

We are looking for somebody with a keen interest in both conservation and less-applied animal behaviour. While some experience analysing tracking data would be advantageous, we are interested primarily in people’s passion for the interaction between animal behaviour and conservation. We have no specific requirements for background beyond the ACCE+ PhD pre-requisites but a degree in biological sciences would be beneficial, as would an interest in more quantitative aspects of biology. The candidate will have the opportunity for substantial periods of fieldwork in the Balearic Islands (some of which will be remote and in caves), but field work is not essential.

How to Apply

Please see the ACCE website for all details of how to apply to the programme at each ACCE+ institution: https://accedtp.ac.uk/how-to-apply/. 

All applicants to ACCE+ must complete the ACCE+ personal statement proforma. This is instead of a personal/supporting statement or cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not. Candidates should also submit a CV and the contact details of two referees.

Part-Time Study Options

All ACCE+ PhDs are available as part time or full time, with part time being a minimum of 50% of full time. Please discuss potential part time arrangements with the primary supervisor before applying to the programme. 

Project CASE Status

This project is not a CASE project. 

Candidate webinar

The project primary supervisor will hold a candidate Zoom webinar in December 2024 to discuss the project with interested candidates. Please register here if you would like to join!