Room: 2nd floor, Marine Centre Wales       Phone: +44 (0) 1248 388603

Email: m.hayden-hughes@bangor.ac.uk

Web: www.shellfish.wales                 wild-oysters.org/

I graduated in Applied Marine Biology in 2017. During that time I spent a year working in the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ) investigating the geomorphological interactions of the American razor clam, Ensis directus. I completed an MSc in Marine Environmental Protection in 2018. My thesis researched biodiversity and the associated species assemblages in mussel culture on an experimental offshore longline system as part of the Irish Sea Portal Pilot (ISPP) project. At the beginning of 2019, I became a Research Project Support Officer on the Shellfish Centre, a research and innovation project supporting development of the shellfish sector in Wales. In addition, I became the Local Project Officer in 2020 for the Welsh restoration hub in Conwy Bay for The Wild Oysters Project, aiming to restore Britain’s seas to health through the restoration of the native oyster.

Research Areas

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

  • MSc: Marine Environmental Protection
    2018
  • BSc: Applied Marine Biology (Hons)
    2017

2024

  • PublishedHistorical dataset details the distribution, extent and form of lost Ostrea edulis reef ecosystems
    Thurstan, R. H., McCormick, H., Preston, J., Ashton, E. C., Bennema, F. P., Bratoš Cetinić, A., Brown, J. H., Cameron, T. C., da Costa, F., Donnan, D. W., Ewers, C., Fortibuoni, T., Galimany, E., Giovanardi, O., Grancher, R., Grech, D., Hayden-Hughes, M., Helmer, L., Jensen, K. T. & Juanes, J. A. & 16 others, Latchford, J., Moore, A. B. M., Moutopoulos, D. K., Nielsen, P., von Nordheim, H., Ondiviela, B., Peter, C., Pogoda, B., Poulsen, B., Pouvreau, S., Scherer, C., Smaal, A. C., Smyth, D., Strand, Å., Theodorou, J. A. & zu Ermgassen, P. S. E., 5 Nov 2024, In: Scientific data. 11, 1
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • PublishedRecords reveal the vast historical extent of European oyster reef ecosystems
    Thurstan, R., McCormick, H., Preston, J., Ashton, E. C., Bennema, F. P., Cetinic, A. B., Brown, J. H., Cameron, T. C., da Costa, F., Donnan, D. W., Ewers, C., Fortibuoni, T., Galimany, E., Giovanardi, O., Grancher, R., Grech, D., Hayden-Hughes, M., Helmer, L., Jensen, K. T. & Juanes, J. A. & 17 others, Latchford, J., Moore, A., Moutopoulos, D. K., Nielson, P., Nordheim, H. V., Ondiviela, B., Peter, C., Pogoda, B., Poulsen, B., Pouvreau, S., Roberts, C., Scherer, C., Smaal, A. C., Smyth, D., Strand, A., Theodorou, J. A. & zu Ermgassen, P. S. E., 1 Dec 2024, In: Nature Sustainability . 7, 12, p. 1719-1729 11 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2023

2021

2025

  • NON UK & Ireland Conference, Galway

    Project presentation and poster/ networking.

    1 Apr 2025 – 3 Apr 2025

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • Festival of the Sea- Y Môr a Ni

    A new initiative led by the Wales Coasts and Seas Partnership (CaSP Cymru) has launched ‘Y Môr a Ni’ – a framework for Ocean Literacy in Wales, which is a first of its kind in Europe. The strategy aims to grow people's relationship with our coasts and seas. Bangor University members are part of this coalition and attended 1/2 of their festivals to celebrate the importance of safeguarding our sea and coastal habitats.

    31 Mar 2025

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Participant)
  • One Ocean Symposium, HYYM project.

    HYYM end of project celebration, networking.

    13 Mar 2025

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)
  • Wild Oysters Project: Celebrating International Women and Girls in Science Day.

    Event title: "Accelerate Action: Inspiring Careers in Marine Science- Evening Talk: Insights from Women in Marine Science."

    The event aimed to inspire and empower young people, students, early career researchers, and professionals by showcasing diverse career paths across various sectors and stages in marine science. Building on the 2025 International Women’s Day theme, "Accelerate Action," speakers shared how they are driving progress and making an impact in their fields.

    Attendees gained inspiration and practical insights from a range of disciplines and career stages. The evening featured discussions about career journeys undertaken by women in the industry and offered a networking session to connect with speakers and peers, share ideas, and explore opportunities in marine science.

    28 Feb 2025

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Organiser)
  • Wild Oysters Project: Celebrating British Science Week

    2x STEAM, Art x Science workshop.

    15 Feb 2025 – 15 Mar 2025

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Organiser)
  • Coastal Future Conference 2025- The path to 2030.

    Conference, networking.

    29 Jan 2025 – 30 Jan 2025

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Participant)
  • One ZSL

    Conference, networking

    28 Jan 2025 – 30 Jan 2025

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Participant)

2024

2023

  • Wild Oysters Project Education Programme: pre-site/site workshops

    The Wild Oysters Education Programme, which is linked to the Welsh curriculum, is designed to inspire students from Key Stage 2 through to Higher Education, connecting learners with real-world marine conservation.

    The programme provides meaningful learning experiences that support ocean literacy, biodiversity awareness, and environmental stewardship in classroom or Conwy Marina setting (oyster safari).

    4 May 2023 – 13 May 2025

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Organiser)
  • Wild Oysters Project: Citizen Science Programme

    At Conwy Marina and Deganwy Marina, our oyster nurseries provided safe, controlled environments for native oysters to grow and release larvae into surrounding waters, contributing to population recovery. Alongside this, they acted as hubs for community science and public engagement.

    Through our Citizen Science Programme, we:

    - Delivered regular monitoring of oyster health and growth

    - Recorded a wide range of marine species living around the nurseries

    - Collected data on environmental conditions, including water temperature and salinity

    Trained and supported local volunteers (age 18+) from diverse backgrounds, many with no prior experience, to actively contribute to restoration science

    This programme not only advanced our restoration goals but also created opportunities for the community to learn about local marine life, develop new skills, and make a hands-on difference to oyster reef recovery.

    1 Apr 2023 – 1 Aug 2025

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Organiser)

2012