I am the Shellfish Biologist at NAFC and I coordinate and manage the Shellfish Stock Assessment Programme. I completed my BSc (Hons) degree in Zoology (Marine and Fisheries Biology) in 1998 at the University of Aberdeen, where I worked with NAFC on phytoplankton and jellyfish threats to aquaculture. I stayed on at Aberdeen University to complete an MSc in Marine and Fisheries Science in 1999, where I specialised in squid fisheries biology. Following this I moved to the University of Glasgow to carry out my PhD researching Nephrops fisheries in the Clyde with UMBS Millport, and around Scotland with FRS Marine Laboratory.

 

Following on from my studies I worked for two years as an Inshore Fisheries Advisor for Scottish Natural Heritage, providing advice on all aspects of fisheries from biology to management. I was also involved in research projects on fisheries for Nephrops and Littorinids, and the development of GIS tools for shellfish fisheries management. I was very keen to return to Shetland, and NAFC, and took up the post of Shellfish Biologist in late 2005, following a period as Marine Farm Services Manager for SSQC.

 

Research interests
Fisheries biology, fisheries management, shellfish reproductive biology and behaviour.

 

Publications:

 

• Laurenson, C.H., Dobby, H., McLay, H.A., & Leslie, B. (2008).  Biological Features of the Lophius piscatorius catch in Scottish waters.  ICES Journal of Marine Science.  65:1281-1290.
• Leslie, B., Laurenson, C., Shelmerdine, R. & Riley, D. (2007).  Shetland Shellfish Stock Assessments 2007. NAFC Marine Centre Report 93p.
• ICES. 18 authors inc. B. Leslie. (2007). Report of the Working Group on the Biology and Life History of Crabs (WGCRAB), International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. 83pp. ICES CM 2007/LRC:09.
• Leslie, B. & Shelmerdine, R. (2007).  Scallop Fishing in the Firth of Lorn Marine SAC: Review of Scientific Literature. SNH Contract no 19099.
• Shelmerdine, R. L., Adamson, J., Laurenson, C. H. & Leslie, B. (2007).  Size variation of the common whelk, Buccinum undatum, over large and small spatial scales: Potential implications for micro-management within the fishery.  Fisheries Research 86(2-3):201 - 206.
• ICES. 9 authors inc B. Leslie. (2006). Report of the Study Group on the Biology and Life History of Crabs (SGCRAB), International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. 32pp. ICES CM 2006/LRC:13, Ref RMC
• Mouat, B., Laurenson, C., Riley, D., Marrs, S. & Henderson, S. (2006). Shetland Shellfish Stock Assessments 2006. NAFC Marine Centre Report for the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation 
• Mouat, B. (2002). Reproductive dynamics of the male Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus (L.). PhD Thesis, University of Glasgow 
• Mouat, B., Collins, M. A. & Pompert, J. (2001). Patterns in the diet of Illex argentinus (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) from the Falkland Islands jigging fishery. Fisheries Research 52: 41 - 49 

 

NAFC Development Notes:

 

• Leslie, B., Henderson, S. and Riley, D. (2006).  Lobster Stock Conservation - V-Notching.  NAFC Marine Centre Fisheries Development Note No. 22
• Henderson, S. and Leslie, B. (2006).  Survival of discarded velvet crabs (Necora puber).  NAFC Marine Centre Fisheries Development Note No. 23
• Shelmerdine, R., Adamson, J., Laurenson, C. and Leslie, B. (2006) Size variation in populations of the common whelk, Buccinum undatum.  NAFC Marine Centre Fisheries Development Note No. 24