ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É

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

·¡³¾²¹¾±±ô:Ìým.hayden-hughes@bangor.ac.uk

Web:                  

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,ÌýEnsis 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 ,Ìýa 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 ,Ìýaiming 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

• Published
  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
• Published
  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

• Published
  Hayden-Hughes, M., Bayford, P., King, J. & Smyth, D., 21 Feb 2023. 13 p.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

2021

• Published
  Smyth, D., Hayden-Hughes, M., Alexander, J., Bayford, P. & Kregting, L., 31 Jan 2021, In: Regional Studies in Marine Science. 41, p. 101585 1 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2025

• Project presentation and poster/ networking.

  1 Apr 2025 – 3 Apr 2025

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

• 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. ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É 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)

• HYYM end of project celebration, networking.

  13 Mar 2025

  Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)

• 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)

• 2x STEAM, Art x Science workshop.

  15 Feb 2025 – 15 Mar 2025

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

• Conference, networking.

  29 Jan 2025 – 30 Jan 2025

  Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Participant)

• Conference, networking

  28 Jan 2025 – 30 Jan 2025

  Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Participant)

2024

• Project update, connect with other oyster restoration projects around the UK and Ireland.

  21 Nov 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

• Project info update.

  12 Nov 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

• Project update, discuss possible collaborations.

  7 Nov 2024

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

• Gŵyl Wystrys yr Hydref: Diwrnod o Hwyl i’r Teulu Ar Lan y Môr / Autumn Oyster Fest! Family fun day by the Sea

  13 Oct 2024

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

• Wild Oyster Project: Sharing project info/ talk to dinner guests and future collaboration.

  19 Sep 2024

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

• Project update

  16 Sep 2024

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

2023

• 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)

• 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

• Wild Oysters Project: networking/ project talk/ oyster nursery visit.

  12 Mar 2012

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