Dr Natalie Hold

I gained my MSc in Marine Environmental Protection at Bangor University in 2008 with a research project on the population genetics of the Caribbean spiny lobster in the western Antilles. I completed my PhD in 2012 which focused on the connectivity and spatial structure of the scallop fishery around the Isle of Man, funded by the Isle of Man Government. The project involved surveys on the research vessel Prince Madog as well as collaboration with stakeholders including fishermen and processors. Work included population genetics of scallops around the Isle of Man and across the wider European range, statistical modelling of environmental and anthropogenic drivers of spatial variation in scallop reproductive status and modelling of the impact of hatchery reared scallop seed on wild populations.

Post-doctoral research at Bangor University (2012-2015 and 2019- present) has focused on inshore, data poor, shellfish fisheries across Wales, requiring active engagement with the fishing industry for collaborative data collection. All research aims are closely aligned with fisheries management and policy evidence requirements in order to deliver meaningful research to impact sustainable fisheries management. A key framework for our sustainable fisheries research is to provide evidence for the management of key commercial fisheries within the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), ensuring that single species approaches (such as stock assessment and single species reference points) are complemented with wider ecosystem evidence such as appropriate spatial scales, adjacent effects and long term effects.

I have also spent three years working as a fisheries scientist for a consultancy (2016-2019) where I worked on a range of projects including environmental baseline studies for energy developments, intertidal aquaculture developments and coastal realignment schemes. I have worked in collaboration with fishers and statutory conservation agencies to develop fisheries management plans for several order fisheries and to carry out annual stock status surveys on the fishery. I have also modelled the effect of river flow on salmonid up-stream migration including drought scenarios.

I am currently the project manager for the EMFF sustainable fisheries in Wales project. As well as project management I am the lead researcher for the component of the project using our long-standing relationships with the industry to develop innovative technology for maximising high quality, high resolution fishery-dependant data collection. In addition my current research is investigating the reproductive ecology of lobsters and how this can influence stock assessment and fishery management measures.

I am willing to supervise PhD students in the fields of fisheries science and fisheries management.

2025

• PublishedCommercial pot selectivity for European lobster, Homarus gammarus, estimated through a novel v-notching mark-recapture approach
  Heney, C., Gross, J., Hoenig, J. & Hold, N., 1 Feb 2025, In: Fisheries Research. 282, 107283.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedEstimating the trapping area and density of common whelk (Buccinum undatum) using experimental fishing
  Garratt, M., Bloor, I., Coleman, M., Colvin, C., Hiddink, J. G., Hold, N. & Jenkins, S., 1 Apr 2025, In: Fisheries Research. 284, 8 p., 107320.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedWorkshop on Whelk Fisheries (WKWF)
  Hold, N., 11 Mar 2025, ICES Scientific Reports. (ICES Scientific Reports; vol. 07, no. 32)
  Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review

2024

• PublishedCatch yield and selectivity of a modified scallop dredge to reduce seabed impact
  Fenton, M., Szostek, C., Delargy, A., Johnson, A. F., Kaiser, M. J., Hinz, H., Hold, N. & Sciberras, M., 13 May 2024, In: PLoS ONE. 19, 5, p. e0302225
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedDetection of Crabs and Lobsters Using a Benchmark Single-Stage Detector and Novel Fisheries Dataset.
  Iftikhar, M., Neal, M., Hold, N., Dal Toe, S. G. & Tiddeman, B., 11 May 2024, In: Computers. 13, 5
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• E-pub ahead of printEstimating common whelk (Buccinum undatum) abundance using baited remote underwater video (BRUV)
  Garratt, M., Bloor, I., Coleman, M., Colvin, C., Hiddink, J. G., Hold, N., Phillips, E., Ward, S. & Jenkins, S., 11 Sept 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: ICES Journal of Marine Science.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedEstimating gear selectivity and population composition of common whelks Buccinum undatum from tagging experiments and comparative gear trials
  Colvin, C., Hold, N., Phillips, E., Hoenig, J. & Gross, J., Jun 2024, In: North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 44, 3, p. 693-705 13 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedPredicting potential spawning areas of European bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, in the Irish and Celtic Seas
  Lincoln, H., Robins, P., Wilmes, S.-B., Pérez-Mayol, S., Moore, A., Simpson, S., Goward Brown, A., Heney, C., Malham, S., Morales-Nin, B., Hold, N. & McCarthy, I., 1 Feb 2024, In: Fisheries Research. 270, 106884.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedScallop Assessment Working Group (WGScallop)
  Hold, N. & Bloor, I. (Editor), 12 Dec 2024, ICES Scientific Reports. (ICES Scientific REports; vol. 6, no. 104)
  Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review

2023

• PublishedA standardized assessment of geographic variation in size at maturity of European lobster (Homarus gammarus L.) in the North East Atlantic
  Coleman, M., Jenkins, S., Garratt, M., Hold, N., Bloor, I., Porter, J., Tully, O. & Bell, M., May 2023, In: ICES Journal of Marine Science. 80, 4, p. 911-922 fsac234.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedAutomated Video-Based Capture of Crustacean FIsheries Data Using Low-Power Hardware
  Dal Toe, S. G., Neal, M., Hold, N., Heney, C., Turner, B., McCoy, E., Iftikhar, M. & Tiddeman, B., 15 Sept 2023, In: Sensors. 23, 18, 7897.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedBycatch in northeast Atlantic lobster and crab pot fisheries (Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and Bristol Channel)
  Moore, A., Heney, C., Lincoln, H., Colvin, C., Newell, H., Turner, B., McCarthy, I. & Hold, N., 1 Sept 2023, In: Fisheries Research. 265, 106745.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedWorking group on the biology and life history of crabs (WGCrab): Outputs from 2020 - 2022 meetings
  Hold, N., 8 Dec 2023, ICES. (ICES Scientific Reports; vol. 5, no. 110)
  Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review

2022

• PublishedDetection and quantification of differences in catch rates among research vessel gears and commercial vessels
  Delargy, A., Hold, N., Heney, C., Cann, R., Bhandari, K., Colvin, C., Moore, A., Lincoln, H., Hiddink, J. G. & McCarthy, I., 1 Oct 2022, In: Fisheries Research. 254, 106371, 106371.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedSpatial and Temporal variation of size at maturity in an intensive crustacean fishery with limited management
  Moore, A., Delargy, A., Cann, R., Heney, C., Le Vay, L., Lincoln, H., McCarthy, I. & Hold, N., 1 Nov 2022, In: Fisheries Research. 255, November 2022, 106450.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2021

• PublishedUsing bio-physical modelling and population genetics for conservation and management of an exploited species, Pecten maximus L.
  Hold, N., Robins, P., Szostek, C., Lambert, G., Lincoln, H., Le Vay, L., Bell, E. & Kaiser, M., Nov 2021, In: Fisheries Oceanography. 30, 6, p. 740-756 17 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2020

• PublishedNew insights on the population genetic structure of the great scallop (Pecten maximus) in the English Channel coupling microsatellite data and demogenetic simulations.
  Handal, W., Szostek, C., Hold, N., Andrello, M., Thiébaut, E., Ewan, H., Lefebvre, G., Elodie, B., Jolivet, A., Nicolle, A., Boyé, A., Foucher, E., Boudry, P. & Charrier, G., 31 Oct 2020, In: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 30, 10, p. 1841-1853
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2017

• PublishedDefining thresholds of sustainable impact on benthic communities in relation to fishing disturbance
  Lambert, G., Murray, L., Hiddink, J., Hinz, H., Lincoln, H., Hold, N., Cambie, G. & Kaiser, M., 2017, In: Scientific Reports. 7, 5440.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2015

• PublishedVideo capture of crustacean fisheries data as an alternative to on-board observers
  Hold, N., Murray, L. G., Pantin, J. R., Haig, J. A., Hinz, H. & Kaiser, M. J., 6 Mar 2015, In: ICES Journal of Marine Science. 72, p. 1811-1821
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2013

• PublishedDevelopment of microsatellite markers from 454 transcriptome derived sequences for the scallop Pecten maximus
  Hold, N., Dawnay, L. & Taylor, M. I., Sept 2013, In: Conservation Genetics Resources. 5, 3, p. 663-666
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedEnvironmental drivers of small scale spatial variation in the reproductive schedule of a commercially important bivalve mollusc
  Hold, N., Murray, L. G., Hinz, H., Neill, S. P., Lass, S., Lo, M. & Kaiser, M. J., 1 Dec 2013, In: Marine Environmental Research. 92, p. 144-153
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedPotential effects of stock enhancement with hatchery-reared seed on genetic diversity and effective population size
  Hold, N., Murray, L. G., Kaiser, M. J., Hinz, H., Beaumont, A. R. & Taylor, M. I., 2 Feb 2013, In: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 70, 2, p. 330-338
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe effectiveness of using CPUE data derived from Vessel Monitoring Systems and fisheries logbooks to estimate scallop biomass
  Murray, L. G., Hinz, H., Hold, N. & Kaiser, M. J., 1 Nov 2013, In: ICES Journal of Marine Science. 70, 7, p. 1330-1340
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2024

• Future Marine Research Infrastructure Grand Challenges

  SOS/BU writing sandbox

  11 Dec 2024

  Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Participant)
• ICES Scallop Assessment Working Group (ICES WGScallop)

  Members of the Scallop Assessment Working Group (WGScallop) discuss the key issues surrounding scallop species and are working towards the improvement and further development of appropriate stock assessment methods.

  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The working group shares expertise on survey methodologies, advances in technology and recent studies on scallop species.

  The group has identified main data sources, collated information on biological parameters, developed a preliminary list of assessment or management units, and discussed the merits and limitations of fisheries dependent and fisheries independent methods for scallop assessment. The group also considers the implications of bycatch and issues surrounding closed areas.

  This work improves our understanding of scallop populations and the fishery. It is hoped that any future assessments will be used to underpin advice and be directly integrated into an approach for ecosystem-based fisheries management.

  7 Oct 2024

  Links:

  • https://www.ices.dk/community/groups/Pages/WGScallop.aspx
  Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)
• ICES Workshop on Whelk Fisheries

  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Whelk and other gastropod fisheries are key species in small-scale artisanal and commercially valuable fisheries worldwide. Within the eastern Atlantic, the whelk Buccinum undatum is commercially important however there is minimal management in most countries.

  This inaugural meeting aims to bring together scientists already working on whelk fisheries from across Europe, North America, and the rest of the world to share best practice, spark collaborations, and review recently published work as well as that underway.

  The workshop will focus on:

  - whelk aging techniques, error and use in routine data collection and stock assessment

  - current stock assessment approaches and challenges, and direction of research/travel for whelk stock assessment​

  8 Jul 2024 – 9 Jul 2024

  Links:

  • https://www.ices.dk/community/groups/Pages/WKWF.aspx
  Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Chair)

2023

• ICES Working Group on the biology and life history of crabs (WGCrab)

  2023 ICES WGCrab annual meeting

  10 Oct 2023 – 13 Oct 2023

  Links:

  • https://www.ices.dk/community/groups/Pages/WGCRAB.aspx
  Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Organiser)

2022

• ICES working Group on the biology and life history of crabs

  8 Nov 2022 – 10 Nov 2022

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

  John and his PhD student Julie Gross visited for a 2 week collaborative working visit. We worked on two papers and John gave 3 seminars

  Oct 2022

  Activity: Hosting an academic visitor (Host)
• BU-IIA Funded Project: Maximising Impact from Fisheries Research

  Bangor’s sustainable fisheries team currently carries out research into baseline biology of commercially important species, fisheries science and how these data can be applied to achieve sustainable fisheries management in Wales. This research has potential to create impact through policy change, guidance to fisheries management and change within the fishing industry through providing and disseminating evidence in support of sustainable fishing practices. It is expected that a range of research carried out by the sustainable fisheries team will come together to create a single impact case study concerning the management of shell fisheries in Wales.

  Funding awarded through the Bangor University Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £42,335

  4 May 2022 – 30 Apr 2023

  Activity: Other (Contributor)

2020

• UK whelk Management Group

  This group meetings quarterly and is ongoing. It is a transdisciplinary group with stakeholders from fishing industry, government, CEFAS, environment, fisheries management, science. This meeting series does not have an end date, so currently set to today's date. This also includes a scientific sub-group who meet regularly outside the quarterly main group meetings. This group is involved in the R&D and implementation surrounding whelk management in the UK and the Fisheries Management Plans.

  1 Jul 2020 – 12 Mar 2025

  Activity: Other (Contributor)

• CEFAS FMP delivery - 110 Pot Fisheries Data collection

  01/07/2024 – 15/04/2025 (Finished)

• CEFAS FMP delivery - 96 Scallop Fisheries Target Harvest Rate

  01/07/2024 – 15/04/2025 (Finished)

• PhD Student Placement extension for Saniye Smith

  05/03/2024 – 18/06/2024 (Finished)

• Welsh Government Sea Services Contract

  01/01/2024 – 13/06/2025 (Active)

• Review of Jersey fisheries data collection, surveys, and assessment approaches

  01/10/2023 – 31/01/2025 (Finished)

• Environmental Assessment of Scallop Innovation Gear (EASIG)

  01/06/2023 – 30/04/2025 (Active)

• CEFAS Whelk Survey

  01/03/2023 – 30/06/2024 (Finished)

• Whelk growth and climate change

  01/01/2023 – 14/05/2025 (Active)

• ‘Addressing key evidence gaps to support English and Welsh crustacean FMPs’

  01/12/2022 – 18/04/2025 (Finished)

• C039/2022/2023 -Marine Evidence Framework Agreement (MEFA) Whelk Stock Assessment 2022 - (lead FEC 008545)

  01/06/2022 – 14/08/2023 (Finished)

• Combined whelk data improvement project (Heriot-Watt University led)

  01/06/2022 – 31/01/2025 (Finished)

• FISP - Camera

  01/02/2022 – 18/04/2025 (Finished)

• C194/2018/2019 – Marine Evidence Framework Agreement (MEFA) – Lot 1 - Whelk Stock Assessment 2021 contract (lead FEC 008545)

  01/01/2022 – 11/08/2023 (Finished)

• Whelk Landing Caps – Science/Policy Rationale - Lot 5 Marine Evidence Framework Agreement (lead FEC 008545)

  01/04/2021 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)

• Whelk: A Baseline Stock Assessment MEFA01/20/21 Marine Evidence Framework Agreement (lead FEC 008545)

  01/09/2020 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)

• Whelks: a standardised survey methodology /C194/2018/2019 Marine Evidence Framework Agreement (lead FEC 008545)

  01/02/2020 – 30/09/2020 (Finished)

EFF funded "Sustainable use of fisheries resources in Welsh waters" - lead role in application for £300K for an 18 month extension to the project. (2013-2015)

EMFF funded "Fisher-Scientist collaboration" - during an NRN grant writing fellowhsip I developed the grant proposal capturing £1.2m in funding for this 4 year project. (2019-2022)

EMFF funded "Video and electronic fisheries data collection" - during and NRN grant writing fellowship I wrote the grant proposala capturing £140K in funding for the 2 year project. (2019-2021)

EMFF funded "Bass and Ray ecology in Liverpool Bay". This project extends the Welsh bass and ray science across the political boundary into north west English waters. £86K (2019-2020).

Welsh Government Marine Evidence Framework Agreement "Standardised stock assessment survey for whelk fisheries". £11,000 (2020)

I am a member of the UK whelk management group and Crab and Lobster management group, providing scientific input alongisde scientists from CEFAS and Scotland. The group is a multi-stakholder group with representivies from industry, DEFRA, Welsh Government, Seafish and academia.

I sit on the ICES working groups for crab, lobster and scallop.