Phytoplankton (algae) are essential in marine ecosystems determining fisheries productivity however around 2% of marine phytoplankton species produce biotoxins that can accumulate in harvested shellfish, posing a threat to human health. Harvesting of shellfish, including mussels, scallops and oysters, is an important part of the UK aquaculture industry worth around £40 million per annum and supporting over 3,000 rural jobs. The harvested shellfish are an important source of protein with markets at home and abroad. There is significant potential to expand this industry, however, harvesting can be halted, particularly in the summer months, due to the presence of harmful algae in the sea which can accumulate in the filter feeding shellfish. Monitoring of water and shellfish for the presence of biotoxins helps determine if it is safe to harvest, and where closure occurs it has been reported to cost a single farm in excess of £160,000 per annum. This consortium brings together three new technologies and world class expertise to provide an early warning, near instant biotoxin detection and a system to protect harvesting sites during harmful algal events. This is a unique opportunity to exploit research three separate developments initially funded by RCUK, allowing their deployment to be expertly utilised through the direct collaboration of shellfish farmer, government regulators and trade associations. The first of the exciting new technologies is the e-mice, so called because although in a single small (6x12x6 cm) electronic instrument we aim to detect all groups of regulated biotoxins with the potential to include other biotoxins which may be regulated in the future. Not so long ago consumer safety was ensured by the use of a mouse bioassay, this has now been replaced by sophisticated analytical detection systems. Currently it takes around 1-week and multiple methods to obtain results however, the e-mice will be developed to provide a format that can be used at a shellfish harvesting site and give instant results supporting rapid management decisions regarding harvesting or protection of the shellfish grounds. Detecting toxicity once it has already accumulated can often limit the management options therefore this collaboration includes the satellite-based early warning system called ShellEye which will help predict harmful algae events and particularly their location with respects to shellfish harvesting areas. Data obtained from satellite imagery will be correlated with phytoplankton monitoring and biotoxin detection in phytoplankton samples. Early warning will then be used to make decisions on when to use the third of the innovative technologies which is the photocatalytic curtain. Also, pioneered under a different RCUK research project, the TiO2-based catalytic pods have specifically been designed to facilitate the treatment of biotoxins and algae in reservoirs in developing countries. The work planned here will explore their optimum configuration for use in a marine environment in a way that will protect harvesting sites, hence the concept of the reactive curtain. The benefits of using this technology is that no chemicals are discharged into the water, the catalyst when illuminated produces high energy, short life hydroxyl radicals which destroy organic molecules and can be active against microorganisms. The project will be underpinned by developing the capacity to produce all the required, phytoplankton, biotoxins and reference material to fully validate the e-mice during development and field use while also supporting photocatalytic optimisation. The culmination of the project will be the development of an integrated management strategy where all partners from industry, the regulators and academics will contribute to a practical close to real-time monitoring and protection of shellfish harvesting areas. This will in turn limit harvesting loses and ensure confidence to support expansion of this aquaculture industry.

ShellEye-DEMO aims to translate novel satellite-informed techniques for early warning of harmful algae blooms (HABs) and microbiological risks into a unique and viable service to support the sustainability of UK aquaculture. This exploits existing research to identify certain HABs using satellite ocean colour, and the fusion of Earth observation, meteorological and in situ data to infer increased risk of E. coli. The objectives are: 1. [D]omain expansion: to involve pilot aquaculture farms in two additional UK regions, and consultation with the largest salmon farms in Scotland, as a route to wider exploitation of the potential benefits of ShellEye's approach. 2. [E]nhanced resolution of HAB detection, from 1km to 300m, to improve precision of near-coast and near-farm HAB risk estimation (using latest Sentinel-3 satellite). 3. [M]arine insurance: to develop long-term HAB probability maps to assist in insurance risk assessment, and encourage clients to take up satellite early warning to reduce losses. 4. [O]ther types of aquaculture, using a customised version of the ShellEye methods to protect the emerging potential of offshore lobster farming. This will be achieved through activities organised into 5 work packages: Stakeholder engagement; Enhanced HAB warning; Microbiological hazard warning for new domains and types; Quantifying HAB risk for marine insurance; and Advanced pilot trial. Partners from the insurance industry, aquaculture farms in three regions, and regulatory organisations, will contribute their time, expertise and data to support the application of our novel methods and engage in real-time trials. Outputs will comprise pilot risk-warning services to address the challenges of satellite monitoring and modelling of dynamic near-coastal environments; and a long-term HAB probability to inform the challenge of assessing insurance risk. Impact will be realised through development and protection of UK aquaculture industries, the quantification of reduced stock losses and recalls, and improved insurance risk assessment enabling lower premiums. All of which will help to boost the UK aquaculture industry and the quality of its produce, and contribute to increased economic gains and food security impacts for the UK. Keywords: Sustainable aquaculture; shellfish; finfish; salmon; harmful algal blooms; E coli; satellite Earth observation; ocean colour; modelling of microbiological hazards. Secured project partner stakeholders: Sunderland Marine Insurance (SMI) National Lobster Hatchery (NLH) Westcountry Mussels Ltd (WCM) Morecambe Bay Oysters Bangor Mussel Producers Ltd Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) Food Standards Agency (FSA) Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO)