Homarus Ltd - www.homarusaquafish.co.uk

Homarus Ltd - www.homarusaquafish.co.uk - www.homarusaquafish.co.uk

Studies and analysis experience

2010 UK
Instructed by: Scottish Government
Early evaluation and policy review of Inshore Fisheries Groups in Scotland. Research to estimate costs and likely future benefits surrounding Inshore Fisheries Groups. International review of alternative models for stakeholder-led inshore fisheries management bodies and their applicability to Scotland. Recommendations as to future numbers, remit, structure and funding of IFG's in Scotland.

2009-10 UK
Instructed by: Wildlife Trusts
Research into the evolution of the scallop fishing industry in the UK, in particular long-term analysis of distribution of fishing effort. Also review of catch values, comparisons with other key species in UK fishery, vessel economics and employment.

2009-10 UK
Instructed by: Law firm
Study on cockle fishing practices in England in relation to a dispute over access to private cockle beds

2008 UK Instructed by: Scottish Government
Review of local authority plans for aquaculture development within Scotland, including their coverage of the industry and the extent to which they accord with Scottish Planning Policy (SPP 22), which aims to maximise the economic benefits to be derived from aquaculture while maintaining an acceptable environmental impact. Detailed assessment of the scope for development foreseen within individual Aquaculture Framework Plans and Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plans and the economic potential offered in terms of turnover and employment likely to arise from the expansion opportunities identified.

2007-08 UK
Instructed by: Scottish Government
Study of the costs and benefits associated with operating the Tripartite Working Group, which was formed in 1999 with the aim of finding solutions to enable the farmed salmonid industry and wild salmonid fisheries to co-exist on the west coast of Scotland. The study involved gathering information and views from all parties at the national level and in detail from 5 case study Area Management Agreements . Costs were identified where possible for all participants. A range of indicators of economic, environmental and social benefits were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively.

2006-07 UK
Instructed by: Solway Firth Partnership
Development of an Aquaculture Strategy for the Solway Firth. Detailed study into the potential for aquaculture production in the Solway area, including production areas and techniques, shellfish infrastructure and markets. Review of uses of sheltered water areas and development of a strategy to optimise economic potential within the many conservation designations within the Solway area.

2006-07 UK
Instructed by: Wildlife Trusts
Research and analysis to estimate the likely economic value of scalloping, potting/netting and recreational angling and diving in a proposed 60 sq mile conservation zone in Lyme Bay, English Channel

2006-07 Denmark, France, Spain, Netherlands
Instructed by: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
The study was prompted by the recruitment crisis in European fishing fleets, examined its root causes and assessed the success and transferability of various innovative measures used to attract and retain crew on European fishing vessels.

2006 UK
Instructed by: North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee
Short study to review an Marine Stewardship Council assessment of the sustainability of lobster and sea bass stocks off north-east England

2005-06 UK
Instructed by: Ministerial Working Group for Aquaculture, Scottish Executive
Study to assess the potential for the use of economic, social and environmental sustainability indicators in the Scottish aquaculture industry. Review of sustainability issues from a range of sources, identification of potential indicators and development of a scoring system to select one "High Level" indicator for each principle. Assessed potential for indices comprising of several indicators as a means of charting progress towards environmental sustainability.

2005-07 UK
Instructed by: English Nature Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund / Portsmouth University
Key role in the "Overfalls Project", a novel initiative aiming to develop stakeholder led spatial management in the marine environment. Study area focused on a series of unique sand ridges in the English Channel of interest to angling, charter and commercial fishing, aggregate extraction, conservation bodies, diving and general navigation. Analysis of existing uses and conflicts, issues for and attitudes towards improved management, formation of a user interest group.

2004 Serbia & Montenegro (Kosovo UNMIK)
Instructed by: European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR)
Sector survey of aquaculture and fisheries. Survey of aquaculture and fisheries production, employment, costs, competitiveness, potential for expansion, fisheries and aquaculture product consumption and demand forecasting, strategy for development.

Assessment of business plans and technical assistance to potential aquaculture operations seeking loans from Agro-business Development Unit of EAR. Training of Agro-business Development Unit loan staff and governmental extension workers in aquaculture.

2003 UK
Instructed by: Local community group
Technical assessment of a planned fishing quay serving the commercial fishing fleet based in the Helford estuary, Cornwall

2002-3 UK / world-wide
Instructed by: IOPC Fund
Preparation of technical guidelines for assessing fisheries sector claims, with special reference to small-scale operations lacking evidence of normal earnings.
The guidelines contain: introductory narrative on the fishing industry and its economic context; methods for rapidly estimating global losses shortly post-spill including benchmarking models for various categories of small scale fishing, farming and processing; detailed claims assessment methods including first screening; business model templates for each of fishing, aquaculture and processing and methods for gathering critical data in the field.

2002 UK
Instructed by: Local Government
Technical appraisal of a live shellfish holding and trading facility and assessment for the functional need for on-site accommodation, with reference to a planning application.

2001-02 UK
Instructed by: Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Detailed study on the socio-economic importance of the aquaculture industry in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The study analysed various indicators of economic contribution in three Island groups and the mainland and examined likely change over 10 years under various outcomes of issues facing the industry.

2002 UK/Ghana/Ivory Coast
Instructed by: Insurer
Investigations into the status of fishery boundaries between Ivory Coast and Ghana, in relation to a historic case where a European fishing vessel was arrested by Ghanaian authorities for allegedly fishing illegally.

2001 UK/worldwide
Instructed by: Marine Stewardship Council
Contribution to global study to assess the potential for eco-labeling of aquaculture products. Examination of industries supplying key markets, survey of producer attitudes, retailer attitudes, other sustainability schemes, options for implementation

2001 UK
Instructed by: Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise
Study to assess the potential for a shellfish marketing co-op on the Isle of Skye

Prior to 2001 Homarus Ltd staff were responsible for undertaking or supervising numerous earlier studies in the fisheries sector which are briefly summarised below:

2001 UK External independent assessment of MAFF research and development programme in aquaculture

2001 UK and Ireland: Detailed study to assess the profitability of the Scottish and Irish salmon farming industries. Assessment of production costs and main factors driving change. Scenario modelling of impact on price and profitability of different supply/demand combinations in the EU market, assessment of influence of Minimum Import Price under the EU/Norway Salmon Agreement

2000-2001 EU: Study to assess the role of women in the fisheries sector across EU countries and the potential for increasing and improving opportunities for women to participate in the sector.

2000 UK, Norway, Ireland: Strategic and technical guidance to potential purchasers of the world’s largest salmon farming company

1999-2000 UK: Feasibility study for the expansion and diversification of shellfish production in the Conwy estuary, north Wales

1999 UK, Chile, Norway: Technical advice to potential purchasers of a very large multi-national salmon farming company

1998-9 15 Member-States of EU: Land-mark study into aquaculture throughout the EU and the 10 year outlook. Leadership of 12 specialists working on eight species groups throughout EU.

1998-9 UK: Assessment for potential of expansion of aquaculture in the south west of England

1998-9 Ireland: Strategic study of inshore fisheries

1998–1999 Ireland, Denmark, Greece: Socio-economic importance of fisheries sector in above countries, degree of dependence on fishing in coastal areas, analysis of success of EU Structural Policies..

1998 UK/Cuba: Assessment of the long term potential of a prawn farm in Cuba for a potential investor.

1998 -2000 UK: Assessment of the likely future shellfishing activities in Carmarthen Bay and the need for improved management and infrastructure at Saundersfoot harbour. Development plan for the harbour to include improved fishing facilities, lobster hatchery and marina.

1997 UK, Belgium, France, Norway, Iceland: Due diligence study on a large vertically integrated European fish farming and processing company on behalf of potential investors.

1995 Australia Development of a strategic plan for aquaculture for the Government of South Australia.

1992-3 UK: Assessment of likely future impacts on fisheries and the marine environment of marine aggregate extraction at three sites in UK coastal waters.

1992 Dagestan, Russian Federation: Examination of the coastal fisheries and environmental conditions in the Caspian Sea with respect to future offshore oil extraction.

1991 UK: Assessments of prospects and market value of a medium-sized salmon farming company in Scotland.

1991 Costa Rica: Technical and investment appraisal of a shrimp farm

1991 Belize: Site survey, technical and financial evaluation of a proposed 500 ha semi-intensive shrimp farm.

1991 Saudi Arabia: Site inspections and preparation of corporate development plan for aquaculture

1989-93 Kenya: Site assessment, detailed design and project management for an integrated shrimp farm

1988-9 UK: Assessment of world Penaeid shrimp culture industry as market for aquaculture feeds.

1988-9 Liberia: Coastal survey and assessment of potential for shrimp aquaculture

1988 UK: Assessment of potential for using cooling water for aquaculture production at all major power stations in England and Wales.