Rick Officer - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Rick Officer

Research paper thumbnail of Towards a flexible Decision Support Tool for MSY-based Marine Protected Area design for skates and rays

ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Standardised catch rates of albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) from the irish mid water paired trawl fleet 2003 – 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) in cartilaginous and bony fish tissues

Journal of Experimental Zoology, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of Application of finite mixture models to catch rate standardization better represents data distribution and fleet behavior

Research paper thumbnail of Validation of Standard Weights and Raising Coefficients for Discard Estimation: Report of a Survey Aboard MFV Roisin Bairbre

Page 1. Irish Fisheries Bulletin No. 30 / 2007 VALIDATION OF STANDARD WEIGHTS AND RAISING COEFFIC... more Page 1. Irish Fisheries Bulletin No. 30 / 2007 VALIDATION OF STANDARD WEIGHTS AND RAISING COEFFICIENTS FOR DISCARD ESTIMATION: REPORT OF A SURVEY ABOARD MFV ROISIN BAIRBRE Turloch Smith1, Stephen Comerford2 and Rick Officer3 ...

Research paper thumbnail of Microplastics in Arctic polar waters: the first reported values of particles in surface and sub-surface samples

Scientific reports, 2015

Plastic, as a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe fr... more Plastic, as a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Identifying patterns of microplastic distribution will benefit an understanding of the scale of their potential effect on the environment and organisms. As sea ice extent is reducing in the Arctic, heightened shipping and fishing activity may increase marine pollution in the area. Microplastics may enter the region following ocean transport and local input, although baseline contamination measurements are still required. Here we present the first study of microplastics in Arctic waters, south and southwest of Svalbard, Norway. Microplastics were found in surface (top 16 cm) and sub-surface (6 m depth) samples using two independent techniques. Origins and pathways bringing microplastic to the Arctic remain unclear. Particle composition (95% fibres) suggests they may either result from the breakdown of larger items (transported over large distances ...

Research paper thumbnail of Microplastics in Arctic polar waters: the first reported values of particles in surface and sub-surface samples

Scientific Reports, 2015

Plastic, as a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe fr... more Plastic, as a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Identifying patterns of microplastic distribution will benefit an understanding of the scale of their potential effect on the environment and organisms. As sea ice extent is reducing in the Arctic, heightened shipping and fishing activity may increase marine pollution in the area. Microplastics may enter the region following ocean transport and local input, although baseline contamination measurements are still required. Here we present the first study of microplastics in Arctic waters, south and southwest of Svalbard, Norway. Microplastics were found in surface (top 16 cm) and sub-surface (6 m depth) samples using two independent techniques. Origins and pathways bringing microplastic to the Arctic remain unclear. Particle composition (95% fibres) suggests they may either result from the breakdown of larger items (transported over large distances by prevailing currents, or derived from local vessel activity), or input in sewage and wastewater from coastal areas. Concurrent observations of high zooplankton abundance suggest a high probability for marine biota to encounter microplastics and a potential for trophic interactions. Further research is required to understand the effects of microplastic-biota interaction within this productive environment.

Research paper thumbnail of Deepwater trawl and longline sampling levels

Research paper thumbnail of Approaches to Assessment of Deepwater Sharks in the Northeast Atlantic

Research paper thumbnail of International Program of Standardised Trawl Surveys

Research paper thumbnail of A novel approach for age estimation of Norway lobster

Research paper thumbnail of A study of market sampling data, precision of age compositions and the effect of mis-ageing: ICES Division VIIa cod

Research paper thumbnail of The first incidence of small synthetic particles identified in the Irish marine environment

Contamination of marine habitats by plastic debris is recognised as an environmental problem and ... more Contamination of marine habitats by plastic debris is recognised as an environmental problem and has been identified on a global scale. A standardised protocol for monitoring the distribution and abundance of small plastic debris in the marine environment is lacking. We present our novel sampling method for easy, fast and continuous extraction of particles from water samples. This method was used during surveys on the RV Celtic Explorer in the North East Atlantic to identify the presence and characteristics of non–biological synthetic particles. Analysis of 164 samples collected between January and March 2013 found synthetic particles in 100% of the samples. Particles were assigned to four product type categories: fibres, fragments, raw plastic pellets and abrasive bead scrubbers, and five size categories: <1 mm, 1–2.5 mm, 2.5–5 mm, 5–10 mm, and >10 mm. Fibres made up the majority of particles collected and the most prevalent colours were black and blue. The most common size c...

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating the feasibility of using growth increments for age determination of Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus) and brown crab ( Cancer pagurus)

Journal of Crustacean Biology, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Modelling abundance hotspots for data-poor Irish Sea rays

Ecological Modelling, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Defining value per unit effort in mixed métier fisheries

Research paper thumbnail of Culture methods of live algal feeds for European aquaculture: optimising culture conditions for Ulvella lens

Aquaculture International, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Modelling fuel consumption of fishing vessels for predictive use

ICES Journal of Marine Science, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Microplastic pollution in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean: validated and opportunistic sampling

Marine pollution bulletin, Jan 15, 2014

Levels of marine debris, including microplastics, are largely un-documented in the Northeast Atla... more Levels of marine debris, including microplastics, are largely un-documented in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Broad scale monitoring efforts are required to understand the distribution, abundance and ecological implications of microplastic pollution. A method of continuous sampling was developed to be conducted in conjunction with a wide range of vessel operations to maximise vessel time. Transects covering a total of 12,700 km were sampled through continuous monitoring of open ocean sub-surface water resulting in 470 samples. Items classified as potential plastics were identified in 94% of samples. A total of 2315 particles were identified, 89% were less than 5mm in length classifying them as microplastics. Average plastic abundance in the Northeast Atlantic was calculated as 2.46 particles m(-3). This is the first report to demonstrate the ubiquitous nature of microplastic pollution in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and to present a potential method for standardised monitoring of mic...

Research paper thumbnail of Parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) in cartilaginous and bony fish tissues

Journal of Experimental Zoology, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of Towards a flexible Decision Support Tool for MSY-based Marine Protected Area design for skates and rays

ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Standardised catch rates of albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) from the irish mid water paired trawl fleet 2003 – 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) in cartilaginous and bony fish tissues

Journal of Experimental Zoology, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of Application of finite mixture models to catch rate standardization better represents data distribution and fleet behavior

Research paper thumbnail of Validation of Standard Weights and Raising Coefficients for Discard Estimation: Report of a Survey Aboard MFV Roisin Bairbre

Page 1. Irish Fisheries Bulletin No. 30 / 2007 VALIDATION OF STANDARD WEIGHTS AND RAISING COEFFIC... more Page 1. Irish Fisheries Bulletin No. 30 / 2007 VALIDATION OF STANDARD WEIGHTS AND RAISING COEFFICIENTS FOR DISCARD ESTIMATION: REPORT OF A SURVEY ABOARD MFV ROISIN BAIRBRE Turloch Smith1, Stephen Comerford2 and Rick Officer3 ...

Research paper thumbnail of Microplastics in Arctic polar waters: the first reported values of particles in surface and sub-surface samples

Scientific reports, 2015

Plastic, as a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe fr... more Plastic, as a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Identifying patterns of microplastic distribution will benefit an understanding of the scale of their potential effect on the environment and organisms. As sea ice extent is reducing in the Arctic, heightened shipping and fishing activity may increase marine pollution in the area. Microplastics may enter the region following ocean transport and local input, although baseline contamination measurements are still required. Here we present the first study of microplastics in Arctic waters, south and southwest of Svalbard, Norway. Microplastics were found in surface (top 16 cm) and sub-surface (6 m depth) samples using two independent techniques. Origins and pathways bringing microplastic to the Arctic remain unclear. Particle composition (95% fibres) suggests they may either result from the breakdown of larger items (transported over large distances ...

Research paper thumbnail of Microplastics in Arctic polar waters: the first reported values of particles in surface and sub-surface samples

Scientific Reports, 2015

Plastic, as a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe fr... more Plastic, as a form of marine litter, is found in varying quantities and sizes around the globe from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Identifying patterns of microplastic distribution will benefit an understanding of the scale of their potential effect on the environment and organisms. As sea ice extent is reducing in the Arctic, heightened shipping and fishing activity may increase marine pollution in the area. Microplastics may enter the region following ocean transport and local input, although baseline contamination measurements are still required. Here we present the first study of microplastics in Arctic waters, south and southwest of Svalbard, Norway. Microplastics were found in surface (top 16 cm) and sub-surface (6 m depth) samples using two independent techniques. Origins and pathways bringing microplastic to the Arctic remain unclear. Particle composition (95% fibres) suggests they may either result from the breakdown of larger items (transported over large distances by prevailing currents, or derived from local vessel activity), or input in sewage and wastewater from coastal areas. Concurrent observations of high zooplankton abundance suggest a high probability for marine biota to encounter microplastics and a potential for trophic interactions. Further research is required to understand the effects of microplastic-biota interaction within this productive environment.

Research paper thumbnail of Deepwater trawl and longline sampling levels

Research paper thumbnail of Approaches to Assessment of Deepwater Sharks in the Northeast Atlantic

Research paper thumbnail of International Program of Standardised Trawl Surveys

Research paper thumbnail of A novel approach for age estimation of Norway lobster

Research paper thumbnail of A study of market sampling data, precision of age compositions and the effect of mis-ageing: ICES Division VIIa cod

Research paper thumbnail of The first incidence of small synthetic particles identified in the Irish marine environment

Contamination of marine habitats by plastic debris is recognised as an environmental problem and ... more Contamination of marine habitats by plastic debris is recognised as an environmental problem and has been identified on a global scale. A standardised protocol for monitoring the distribution and abundance of small plastic debris in the marine environment is lacking. We present our novel sampling method for easy, fast and continuous extraction of particles from water samples. This method was used during surveys on the RV Celtic Explorer in the North East Atlantic to identify the presence and characteristics of non–biological synthetic particles. Analysis of 164 samples collected between January and March 2013 found synthetic particles in 100% of the samples. Particles were assigned to four product type categories: fibres, fragments, raw plastic pellets and abrasive bead scrubbers, and five size categories: <1 mm, 1–2.5 mm, 2.5–5 mm, 5–10 mm, and >10 mm. Fibres made up the majority of particles collected and the most prevalent colours were black and blue. The most common size c...

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating the feasibility of using growth increments for age determination of Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus) and brown crab ( Cancer pagurus)

Journal of Crustacean Biology, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Modelling abundance hotspots for data-poor Irish Sea rays

Ecological Modelling, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Defining value per unit effort in mixed métier fisheries

Research paper thumbnail of Culture methods of live algal feeds for European aquaculture: optimising culture conditions for Ulvella lens

Aquaculture International, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Modelling fuel consumption of fishing vessels for predictive use

ICES Journal of Marine Science, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Microplastic pollution in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean: validated and opportunistic sampling

Marine pollution bulletin, Jan 15, 2014

Levels of marine debris, including microplastics, are largely un-documented in the Northeast Atla... more Levels of marine debris, including microplastics, are largely un-documented in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Broad scale monitoring efforts are required to understand the distribution, abundance and ecological implications of microplastic pollution. A method of continuous sampling was developed to be conducted in conjunction with a wide range of vessel operations to maximise vessel time. Transects covering a total of 12,700 km were sampled through continuous monitoring of open ocean sub-surface water resulting in 470 samples. Items classified as potential plastics were identified in 94% of samples. A total of 2315 particles were identified, 89% were less than 5mm in length classifying them as microplastics. Average plastic abundance in the Northeast Atlantic was calculated as 2.46 particles m(-3). This is the first report to demonstrate the ubiquitous nature of microplastic pollution in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and to present a potential method for standardised monitoring of mic...

Research paper thumbnail of Parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) in cartilaginous and bony fish tissues

Journal of Experimental Zoology, 1999