Room: 108B Nuffield Fish Laboratory     Phone: 01248 382900

Email: t.h.galley@bangor.ac.uk

I am a Research Fellow in the School of Ocean Sciences at Bangor University, with over 20 years’ experience in temperate and tropical marine aquaculture research and innovation.   I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology in 2002, followed by an MSc in Shellfish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2004, both from the University of Wales, Bangor.  I then undertook my PhD in bivalve aquaculture between 2010 and 2015 at Bangor University.

I have worked at School of Ocean Sciences since 2004, undertaking a number of research positions, which has included taking leading roles on several EU funded aquaculture projects (NOAR, SNAP, ISPP, REPROSEED, BLUESEED).  These have focused on addressing challenges for both conservation and commercial aquaculture applications with a wide range of bivalve, crustacean and fish species, the innovation and optimisation of hatchery production of ecologically and commercially important species, as well as investigating elements of larval development, behaviour, and nutrition.  I have extensive experience of the design and construction of research hatchery facilities and animal husbandry, together with working in collaboration with national and  international organisations, research institutions, and industrial partners, as well as with Welsh Government agencies.  Recent work has focused on; (1) the establishment of an innovative pilot-scale hatchery for the native oyster, Ostrea edulis, and work to optimise critical aspects of its hatchery culture for restocking initiatives as well as human consumption, and (2) developing techniques and systems for coral reef fish aquaculture in collaboration with leading UK public aquariums to provide a sustainable source of captive produced fish for the marine aquarium sector.

Particular areas of interest include sustainable aquaculture and resource management; coral reef aquaculture and the development of culture techniques for coral reef fish and invertebrate species important to the ornamental aquarium trade; shellfish aquaculture, including hatchery production, development of culture techniques, diet formulation, larval and post-larval development, and native oyster restoration; development of planktonic live feeds for aquaculture.

Research Areas

Marine Conservation and Resource Management

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (WG grant) Wild Coast - Blue Carbon Project award of £42,000 for a 17-month project (November 2023 through March 2025).  Enhancing biodiversity and carbon capture through supplementation of Native Oyster reefs (Feasibility Study).  

Shared Prosperity Fund: North Wales award of £470,589 for a 15-month project (October 2023 through December 2024). Sustainable Shellfish and Aquaculture North Wales.

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund award of £360,904 for a 27-month project (June 2021 through October 2023).  Project:  Native Oyster Aquaculture Research (NOAR) (Project Ref: 82363).  Awarded in 2021. 

Darwin Initiative Scoping Project.  Awarded £5,750 for scoping visit to Vanuatu.  Project: Developing community capacity for sustainable marine aquaculture in Vanuatu.  Awarded 2018.

Welsh Government SMARTExpertise grant award of £384,735 for a 3-year project (July 2018 to June 2021). Project: SustaiNable Aquariums Project (SNAP) (Project Ref: 2017/COL/009).  Total original project budget £771,423 with collaborative partner match-funding.  Submitted 2017, awarded 2018.  Extended a further 16 months until October 2022.  Awarded additional funding from HEFCW HEIR Covid Grant Extension Allocation (£73,154), the North Wales Economic Stimulus Fund (~£30,000) and SmartExpertise (~£30,000).

Welsh Government Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) grant of £128,053 for a 12 month project (January to December 2014).   Project: Development of culture techniques for pelagic spawning reef fish (HE 06 15 1007). 

Welsh Government Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) grant of £19,945 for a feasibility study (October 2009 to March 2010).   Study: Assessing the potential of captive production techniques for the ornamental aquarium sector (HE 06 FSP 1022).