Profile

Dr Simon Halliwell
Production Controller

Research Overview:

Risk balancing by marine predators

Animals that live under threat of predation have evolved behavioural strategies enabling them to perform essential tasks such as forage whilst minimising risks.  This balancing of risk involves a range of behavioural adjustments in response to changes in prey availability and perceived threat levels.  I am interested in understanding the cognitive, behavioural, and energetic facets associated with risk balancing and decision making in foraging marine predators.

Use of dynamic habitats by marine predators

In marine systems, tidal and meteorological processes, together with geographical features such as narrow coastal channels effectively create habitats that are in constant flux due to water movements. My research looks to understand the unique challenges and opportunities this creates for marine predators using them.

Impacts of marine renewable energy technologies

Many countries have set ambitious targets for renewable energy, with energy from offshore sources anticipated to form an important part of this; this has led to the proposed installation of wind, wave, and tidal energy converters around the coast. However, these potentially hazardous to marine mammals and understanding how they perceive and respond to renewable devices is critical to ensure that they can co-exist at the scales currently being envisaged for the industry. My research includes studies of the impacts of wind farm construction on harbour seals and behavioural responses of seals to tidal stream energy devices.

PhD students

• Katherine Whyte, University of St Andrews. "Behavioural responses by seals to offshore energy activities". Co-supervised with Debbie Russell (SMRU), Len Thomas (CREEM), and Carol Sparling (SMRU Consulting). 

• Joe Onoufriou, University of St Andrews. "Effects of tidal turbines on the movements of marine predators in tidally energetic areas". Co-supervised with Dave Thompson (SMRU), Liz Masden (UHI), Jared Wilson (Marine Scotland), and John Baxter (SNH). 

• Gemma Veneruso, Bangor University. "Investigating disturbance of small cetaceans from offshore anthropogenic developments". Co-supervised with Line Cordes and Lewis LeVay (University of Bangor). 
• Lea Brandes, University of Aberdeen. "Foraging ecology of harbour seals in relation to offshore windfarm developments". Co-supervised with Paul Thompson and Isla Graham (University of Aberdeen).

Alumni

Nienke Van Geel, Scottish Association for Marine Science. "Predator movements in complex geography: Spatial distribution and temporal occurrence of low-density bottlenose dolphin communities off western Scotland". Co-supervised with Ben Wilson (SAMS).

Recent publications