Partners within the French (Channel Manche) England region

Map of partners within the French (Channel Manche) England region (see below)

The RaNTrans project comprises nine partners from across the UK and France, led by the UK’s University of Portsmouth.

  1. University of Portsmouth
  2. Centre d’Étude et de Valorisation des Algues (CEVA)
  3. Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)
  4. Bournemouth University
  5. ARGANS
  6. Université de Caen Normandie
  7. Université de Bretagne Occidentale
  8. Natural England
  9. Aleor
University of Portsmouth (UoP)

1

University of Portsmouth (UoP)

Based at the Institute of Marine Science, UoP is the lead partner for the RaNTrans project. It is perfectly placed as one of the removal sites is practically at the front door – perfect for taking samples back to the lab.

Portsmouth are involved in all aspects of the project, from algal mat removal to project management and communication.

Centre d'Étude et de Valorisation des Algues (CEVA)

2

Centre d’Étude et de Valorisation des Algues (CEVA)

CEVA is the only European centre dedicated to marine algae research and exploitation, transferring scientific knowledge to industry.

They will draw on their expertise in setting up harvesting equipment, cultivation technology and skills for seaweed culture. CEVA also has expertise in green algal blooms (green tides), providing mapping using aerial photos and hyperspectral remote sensing, which will benefit all aspects of the project.

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)

3

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)

CEFAS have significant experience in developing local and 3D models for coastal phytoplankton algal blooms and will help generate web-based algal mat prediction models to help identify local drivers of algal mats for future control measures.

Bournemouth University

4

Bournemouth University

With a research site in Poole, Bournemouth University is well placed to take part in this project. Bournemouth expertise includes removal of algal mats and the subsequent identification of species. They also have expertise in assessing marine ecosystem disturbance, which is a perfect fit for the project.

ARGANS

5

ARGANS

ARGANS are specialists in satellite-based Earth observation and will use their expertise to help create algal mat simulation prediction tools. They are also involved in the data behind the creation of the interactive maps at site, regional and FCE scales.

Université de Caen Normandie (UCN)

6

Université de Caen Normandie (UCN)

UCN are involved in a number of the project outcomes and will be working with Portsmouth, Bournemouth and CEVA to analyse both current and historical datasets, and to identify algal mat species. They will also be carrying out algal mat removal at a site local to them in France, assessing the impact of the removal on sediment, benthic species and birds.

Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO)

7

Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO)

Algal mats are made up of many different species of green algae so are a potential source of novel bio active chemicals that have beneficial functions for humans. UBO will use their expertise to extract, purify and test these novel chemicals from algal mat species collected by the other project partners.

Natural England

8

Natural England

Natural England are key for dissemination and learning on this project as they are responsible for project communication.

They will also be responsible for regulatory assessments throughout the project in collaboration with the relevant organisations in France and the UK.

Aleor

9

Aleor

With more than 10 years of experience, Aleor has developed significant expertise in seaweed cultivation and is a leader in Europe.

Aleor will identify and select the best species for the project and then participate and advise on the methods of growth for the highest yields. Aleor’s experience will also be used to interpret the legislation in terms of culture, harvesting or access for post-project scale-up.