EXPERTISE

• Marine biology
• Taxonomic identification
• Survey lead
• Fish analysis
• Research
• GIS
• Statistical Analysis

QUALIFICATIONS

• MSc Applied Marine Science (with Distinction), University of Plymouth (2009)
• BSc (Hons) Marine Biology (2:1), University of Portsmouth (2008)
• Open Water Scuba Diver

Ross Griffin, a Commercial Projects Assistant at Marine Ecological Surveys Ltd (part of the Gardline Group of Companies), has two years experience of working in the fields of marine biology and ecology. Ross assists the Research Director and Senior Marine Ecologists at MES with the preparation of research projects, publications and applications for funding. This involves carrying out data analysis using univariate and multivariate techniques to assess various factors including impacts of anthropogenic activity, spatial and temporal variability and the effect of biogenic reef structures on ecosystem diversity and functionality. This role also includes spatial analysis using GIS, literature reviews and production of peer-reviewed publications. Ross is a benthic taxonomist and is proficient at sample processing including stomach content analysis of demersal fish species. Ross has extensive survey experience including preparing and carrying out various EIA, baseline and monitoring surveys ranging from large scale offshore cruises to short inshore surveys using a variety of sampling methods.

KEY EXPERIENCE

• Experience of carrying out literature searches and producing literature reviews, production of a number of research and commercial reports and lead author of a peer-reviewed journal article
• Sound taxonomic and phylogenetic knowledge of a broad range of marine organisms, particularly fish and crustaceans, gained through laboratory benthic sample analysis and gut content analysis of over 800 fish
• Faunal data analysis, including assessment of stomach contents and the effect of biogenic reef structures on ecosystem diversity and functionality
• Survey work carried out using Hamon and Day grab sampling; seabed imagery and video acquisition using freshwater lens and shallow water lens camera systems; beam and otter trawl sampling; and water profiling
• Lead Surveyor / Acting Scientist in Charge (Client Representative) of a four month benthic characterisation survey in the North Sea carried out for East Anglian Offshore Wind (EAOW), including scientific beam trawling / epibenthic characterisation and benthic grab samples
• Lead surveyor of otter trawl sampling of the Thames Estuary as part of an ongoing assessment of fish and Epibenthos carried out for the London Gateway development (DP World)
• CTD water profiling of Plym and Tamar estuaries
• Marine Mammal Observation of the behaviour of resident populations of bottlenose dolphin and short finned pilot whales in the Canary Islands
• Sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, PRIMER, ArcGIS, Minitab and Sigmaplot

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Griffin. R., Handy. R., Pearce, B. (2011 in prep.) Dietary importance and selectivity in the feeding of the common dragonet, Callionymus lyra (Linnaeus, 1758), in the UK. Target publication, Journal of Fish Biology.

Griffin, R., Herbert. R.H., Pearce. B. (2011) New UK recordings of the mantis shrimp, Rissoides desmaresti (Risso, 1816) [Crustacea:Stomatopoda], provided by broad-scale mapping projects. Marine Biodiversity Records (In Press).

Griffin. R., Pearce, B, Hill, J.M. (2011 in prep) The feeding preference and dietary overlap of common demersal fish assemblages from areas of high benthic disturbance around the UK. Target publication, Journal of Fish Biology.

Marine Ecological Surveys Limited (2011). East Anglian Offshore Windfarm Benthic Survey Report. (Prepared for EAOW).

Marine Ecological Surveys Limited (2011). Spatial and Seasonal Changes in the Fish and Epibenthos of the Lower Thames Estuary 2010 (Prepared for DP World).

Marine Ecological Surveys Limited (2010). Spatial and Seasonal Changes in the Fish and Epibenthos of the Lower Thames Estuary 2009 (Prepared for DP World).

Pearce, B., Hill, J.M., Griffin, R., Earnshaw, S. & Pitts, J. 2011 (in press). Sabellaria spinulosa Reef Ecology and Ecosystem Services. A report for The Crown Estate. Marine Ecological Surveys Limited. 3 Palace Yard Mews, Bath, BA1 2NH. 82pp.