Marine Scotland Science: directory

Frank Armstrong

Planning and Environmental Advice Programme
Phytoplankton Ecology Group
Phytoplankton Analyst

E-mail: Frank.Armstrong@gov.scot

Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB, UK

Pronouns: he/him/his

Details of specialism

I am part of a team of specialised phytoplankton taxonomists, analysing weekly water samples from the Scottish Coastal Observatory (SCObs) monitoring sites. 

Within the broad topic area my particular focuses currently include:

• analysis of SCObs samples for toxic and high biomass forming phytoplankton, accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service 
• performing full phytoplankton community analyses of SCObs samples, identifying each cell down to its lowest taxonomic level possible
• maintaining and growing our phytoplankton culture collection
• collection of phytoplankton samples at sea on board research vessels

In addition the these, I also take part in a number of marine research surveys, including the ICES International Bottom Trawl Survey, and the ICES Triennial Mackerel and Horse Mackerel Egg survey. I’ve also spent time as a Fisheries Observer within MSS, working on board Scottish fishing vessels to collect data for stock assessments, as well as reading otoliths to provide age estimation data of commercially valuable fish species.

Main policy links

• shellfish aquaculture
• finfish aquaculture
• marine planning (science advice)
• fish and shellfish health advice

External committees and responsibilities

• Marine Operations Centre