Dr. Newell is a recognised expert in the physiology and ecology of intertidal and shallow water organisms, with specialist interests in energy and material flow through marine ecosystems, and assessment of the impact of industrial and other developments on coastal resources. Publications include over 150 research papers on various aspects of marine ecology, books on Marine Plankton (1963 with five subsequent revisions), books on Intertidal Animals (1970 & 1980), on the Physiology of Marine Animals (Butterworths 1976) and contributions on invertebrates to the Elsevier Animal Encyclopaedia (1974).

Consultant Experience:

Dr. Newell has acted as Environmental Consultant for major industries worldwide for over 30-years, and has represented them from the site-selection phase, through construction and during the operation of plants in Europe, North America, Malaysia and Australia. He has advised Government and Industry on marine impact and resource management issues in relation to both Industrial and Leisure developments. He has specialist expertise in assessment of the impact of marine aggregate extraction and spoils disposal on marine resources. He has authored over 300 Reports relating to major Industrial Developments and environmental management issues associated with Leisure & Tourism worldwide. He specialises in advice to Government and industry on Marine Resource Management, including conservation issues, marine parks, fisheries enhancement and Leisure & Tourism related development projects.

Recent work has centred on the impact of marine aggregate dredging on biological resources. Research carried out by Marine Ecological Surveys Ltd in 2002 has been funded both through the US Government Minerals Management Service and by the British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA). In 2003 Marine Ecological Surveys Ltd were awarded a major research contract by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) to carry out research on the impact of marine aggregate dredging on the marine environment. Our work has led to a number of research publications in the international literature and to contributions to international conferences during the past 5 years.

Marine Ecological Surveys has carried out a major series of environmental and fisheries surveys in connection with the proposed London Gateway Port in the Thames Estuary. We have assisted in the preparation of the environmental statements for this and a number of other major projects affecting biological resources in UK coastal waters.

Richard is a member of the Science Audit Team appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) to report on the quality of science provided by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) Laboratories in the UK. He is also an expert advisor to the MAFF Food & Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) Representations Committee. He is a registered Environmental Assessor and is registered as an expert witness with the Law Society and the UK Register of Expert Witnesses. He has given evidence in numerous Public Inquiries, including the recent Public Inquiry for the proposed London Gateway Port Project, and the House of Lords Select Committee on the Humber Estuary.

Recent Publications:

ROBINSON, J.E., NEWELL, R.C., SEIDERER, L.J., & SIMPSON, N.M. 2005. Impacts of aggregate dredging on sediment composition and associated benthic fauna at an offshore dredge site in the southern North Sea. Marine Environmental Research. 60: 51-68.

SHUMWAY, S.E. & NEWELL, R.C. 2004. (Eds). Stepping back to look forward: Special 300th review volume of the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 300: complete.

NEWELL, R.C., SEIDERER, L.J., ROBINSON, J.E., SIMPSON, N.M., PEARCE, B. & REEDS, K.A. 2004. Impacts of overboard screening on seabed and associated benthic biological community structure in relation to marine aggregate extraction. Technical Report to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and Minerals Industry Research Organisation (MIRO). Project No SAMP.1.022. Marine Ecological Surveys Limited, St.Ives. Cornwall. Pp. 152.

NEWELL, R.C., SEIDERER, L.J., SIMPSON, N.M., & ROBINSON , J.E. 2004. Impacts of Marine Aggregate Dredging on Benthic Macrofauna off the South Coast of the United Kingdom. Journal of Coastal Research. Vol 19: 217-227

HITCHCOCK, DR., NEWELL, R.C. & SEIDERER, L.J. 2002. Integrated report on the impact of marine aggregate dredging on physical and biological resources of the sea bed. US Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, International Activities and Marine Minerals Division (INTERMAR), Washington DC. (Contract No 14-35-01-CT-30980).

NEWELL, R.C., SEIDERER, L.J., SIMPSON, N.M & ROBINSON, J.E. 2002. Impact of marine aggregate dredging and overboard screening on benthic biological resources in the central North Sea: Production Licence Area 408, Coalpit. Marine Ecological Surveys Ltd. Technical Report No ERI/402 to the British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA). 72 pp. (CD-Rom version 116 pp). N

NEWELL, R.C., SEIDERER, L.J., & ROBINSON, J.E. 2001. Animal: sediment relationships in coastal deposits of the Eastern English Channel. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. UK. 81:1-9.

NEWELL, R.C., HITCHCOCK, D.R., & SEIDERER, L.J. 1999. Organic enrichment association with outwash from marine aggregates dredging: A probable explanation for surface sheens and enhanced benthic production in the vicinity of dredging operations. Mar. Poll. Bull. 38(9): 809-818.

SEIDERER, L.J & NEWELL, R.C. 1999. Analysis of the relationship between sediment composition and benthic community structure in coastal deposits: Implications for marine aggregate dredging. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Journal of Marine Science. 56: 757-765.

NEWELL, R.C., SEIDERER, L.J. & HITCHCOCK, D.R. 1998. The impact of dredging works in coastal waters: a review of the sensitivity to disturbance and subsequent recovery of biological resources on the seabed. Oceanogr. Mar. Biol. Ann. Rev. 36:127-178.

HITCHCOCK, D.R., NEWELL, R.C., & SEIDERER, L.J., 1998. 'Investigation of benthic and surface plumes associated with marine aggregate mining in the United Kingdom - final report'. Contract Report for the U.S.Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service. Contract Number 14-35-0001-30763. Coastline Surveys Ltd

email: richard@seasurvey.co.uk | Key Personnel | Marine Ecological Surveys Ltd.