Dr Eunice Pinn, a marine conservation expert with a rich academic and professional background, offers insight into her research on harbour porpoise conservation. Her journey, which includes an LLM by Research from the University of Aberdeen’s School of Law, highlights the complexities of balancing scientific and legal aspects of marine conservation. Here, she shares her experiences and advice for future researchers.
Introduction
Eunice Pinn embarked on her LLM by Research at the University of Aberdeen in 2014, focusing on 'Protected areas for harbour porpoise: but at what cost to their conservation?' She graduated in 2016, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge from previous qualifications, including a BSc in Biology, a PhD in Marine Biology, and a PGCHE. Hailing from the UK, Pinn's journey reflects her dedication to marine conservation and her pursuit of bridging the gap between science and legal frameworks.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Aberdeen?
"Besides being local, it was one of the few universities in the UK with a School of Law that included a focus on the marine environment. I had no formal legal training prior to starting my LLM but had been involved in the practical implementation of the legal requirements for nature conservation for many years."
What did you study/research and why is it important?
"My research considered the value of protected sites for the harbour porpoise, a highly mobile transnational species. In 2012, WWF and Client Earth initiated a challenge through the EU on the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for harbour porpoise as a qualifying feature in UK waters. At that time, the UK had 33 SACs which listed the species as a non-qualifying feature meaning no direct management for the species was required. Because harbour porpoise are highly mobile, travelling thousands of kilometres in a few weeks, the UK had focused conservation efforts on tackling the key conservation issues of incidental capture in fishing gear (known as bycatch), the impacts of pollutants such as PCBs and noise disturbance associated with construction in the marine environment. Protected areas are not an effective tool for combatting any of these conservation priorities for a highly mobile species. As a result of the EU legal challenge, however, almost all conservation resources for the species were diverted into identifying SACs."
"Because of the legal challenge, my role at the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC, one of the UK’s Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies) was refocused to site identification and I became increasingly frustrated that best scientific advice for the conservation of harbour porpoise was being ignored in favour of the requirement to identify SACs. Whilst the Habitats Directive included harbour porpoise in Annex II as a species for which SACs could be designated, the guidance on site designation for highly mobile marine species notes that such sites might not be appropriate. The species was also included in Annex IV which meant that if any pressure was having a negative impact on conservation status it would need to be managed and mitigated. For harbour porpoise, bycatch is recognised globally as the greatest threat to the species, which is why UK conservation efforts were focused in this area. At the time of the challenge to the UK, the EU was bringing various challenges to Member States in relation to SAC identification, whilst the bycatch issue was being ignored. From a scientific perspective this made no sense. I undertook the LLM as a way of gaining a better understanding of legal process and decision making. Turns out the legal system is just as nuanced as science."
What support did you received during your studies/research? How has it helped you?
"The support from my supervisor was fantastic. Taking on a student with years of practical experience of implementing the law from a scientific perspective must have been a challenge."
What do you enjoy most about living and studying in Aberdeen? Do you have any particularly memorable experiences?
"Aberdeenshire’s motto ‘from mountain to sea’ is incredibly accurate. There are some amazing mountains and hills (Cairngorm, Clachnaben and Bennachie to name but three) and beautiful coastlines and beaches (e.g., Slains Castle at Cruden Bay, the Moray coast and Balmedie Beach) all within easy reach of the city. The highlight for me though is that Aberdeen Harbour is one of the best places in the UK to see bottlenose dolphins."
What would you tell someone who is considering studying/researching at the University of Aberdeen?
"Go for it! The support and encouragement I received was amazing, and still continues - I am now an Honorary Senior Lecturer for the School of Law."
If talking to a group of prospective students, what advice would you give them to help them make the most of their time at the University of Aberdeen?
"Make the most of any opportunities you can and remember that no question is a stupid one, so reach out to your supervisor(s) and their contacts. There is also a huge amount of external support out there. For example, joining the UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA) has proven invaluable for me. I have been amazed at the willingness of some very experienced and influential legal practitioners to freely impart their knowledge and understanding."
Your Time After Aberdeen
What was the title of your first job after graduating from Aberdeen?
"I undertook my LLM whilst working, so my role as the Senior Marine Mammal Advisor at JNCC continued."
What did your first role involve?
"At JNCC I was involved in providing advice to the UK government and relevant international fora on the conservation of marine mammals. This included provision of information with respect to parliamentary questions/debates and advice on meeting the UK’s various legal requirements and obligations (including responses to Reasoned Opinions from the EU), the identification and designation of Special Areas of Conservation, Marine Conservation Zones, and Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas; representing the UK government at meetings for the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish, and North Seas (ASCOBANS, an agreement under the auspices of UNEP Convention on Migratory Species) and for the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR); as well as developing initiatives such as the UK Dolphin and Porpoise Conservation Strategy."
What is your current job title?
"Marine Indicators Advisor."
Who is your current employer?
"NatureScot (Scotland’s Statutory Nature Conservation Agency)."
What is your current role?
"As the Marine Indicators Advisor at NatureScot, my role is to improve our understanding of the state of Scotland’s marine environment to help inform decisions on where conservation action is required. Key aspects of my role include contributing to updates of existing marine biodiversity indicators for the UK Marine Strategy (i.e., determining whether we have achieved Good Environmental Status) and the Habitats Regulations (i.e., determining the conservation status of listed marine species and habitats), as well as developing new indicators for the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, the Global Biodiversity Framework (agreed in 2022 under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity), and Scotland’s Natural Environment Bill. I am also actively engaged in work on the ecosystem services and natural capital provided by the marine environment (e.g., carbon sequestration and nutrient bioremediation)."
Please briefly describe the journey from your first job after graduating to where you are now.
"Prior to undertaking my LLM, I had some 20 years of work experience as a marine ecologist covering various aspects of fisheries and conservation, as well as integrated coastal and marine management. When I undertook my LLM, I was employed by JNCC. From JNCC, I moved to become a Marine Environmental Regulation Advisor at Seafish, a UK public body for the Seafood Industry. Because bycatch is a key conservation issue for cetacean conservation, I wanted to work more closely with the fishing industry and to gain a better understanding of the issues they encountered when trying to reduce their impacts on the environment and protected species. The role also required me to develop a thorough understanding of water quality legislation for the production of bivalve shellfish (e.g., mussels and oysters) and to work closely with the Regulators to improve legal interpretation and implementation of the requirements for the benefit of the shellfish growers whilst still maintaining health standards. Recently, I moved from Seafish to my current role in NatureScot."
