Senior Research Fellow
Institute of Aquaculture Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
I am a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow (FLF) and PI of the project ‘Addressing the ability of marine aquaculture to respond to climate change using systems thinking and precision-based frameworks’.
My research focuses on aquaculture planning, environmental interactions, and how climate change will impact fish and shellfish production. I am particularly interested in how data and models can be used to support decision-making within the aquaculture sector. I have worked on research projects covering a range of fish and shellfish species in freshwater and marine environments throughout the world.
I completed my PhD, which was titled ‘Spatial modelling and GIS-based decision support tools to evaluate the suitability of sustainable aquaculture development in large catchments’, at the University of Stirling in 2014. This research was part of the EU FP7 SEAT (Sustaining Ethical Aquaculture Trade) project. I then joined the University of Dundee as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Offshore Renewables Institute. In 2016 I returned to the University of Stirling as a Postdoc on two large EU H2020 projects TAPAS (Tools for Assessment and Planning of Aquaculture Sustainability) and ClimeFish (Co-creating a decision support framework to ensure sustainable fish production in Europe under climate change). In TAPAS I led the Work Package on ‘Near-field models for regulation and site selection’. I have also worked on several other research projects that involved the development and use of models to support decision-making in aquaculture planning and management.
Seafood Innovation - R3-IoT
PI: Professor Trevor Telfer
Funded by: Centre for Enviroment, Fisheries & Aquaculture and Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre
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Advancement in the Zoning of Aquaculture activities
PI: Professor Trevor Telfer
Funded by: Fondazione IMC - Centro Marino Internazionale
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CLIMEFISH: Co-creating a decision support framework to ensure sustainable fish production in Europe
PI: Professor Trevor Telfer
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)
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TAPAS Tools for Assessment and Planning of Aquaculture Sustainability
PI: Professor Trevor Telfer
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)
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Article
Krupandan A, Falconer L, Maguire J & Telfer T (2026) An integrated modelling approach for the stocking optimisation of a commercial-scale salmon-kelp IMTA system. Aquaculture, 613 (Part 1), Art. No.: 743299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.743299
Editorial
Editorial: Food production potential in the changing ocean
Bergh Ø, Ytteborg E & Falconer L (2025) Editorial: Food production potential in the changing ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science, 12, Art. No.: 1579667. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1579667
Research Report
Climate change impacts on marine aquaculture relevant to the UK
Murray AG, Falconer L, Kennerley A & Veenhof RJ (2025) Climate change impacts on marine aquaculture relevant to the UK. Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership. https://www.mccip.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-02/Aquaculture%20update_Feb%202025.pdf; https://doi.org/10.14465/2025.reu01.aqu
Article
Silverthorn M, Yakubu SO & Falconer L (2025) Checklist and reporting framework to support documentation and communication of GIS-based Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) models for aquaculture site selection. PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, 4 (1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pstr.0000155
Article
Use of scenarios with multi-criteria evaluation to better inform the selection of aquaculture zones
Yakubu SO, Falconer L & Telfer TC (2025) Use of scenarios with multi-criteria evaluation to better inform the selection of aquaculture zones. Aquaculture, 595 (2), Art. No.: 741670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741670
Article
Marine aquaculture sites have huge potential as data providers for climate change assessments
Falconer L, Halstensen S, Rinø SF, Noble C, Dale T, Alvestad R & Ytteborg E (2025) Marine aquaculture sites have huge potential as data providers for climate change assessments. Aquaculture, 595 (1), Art. No.: 741519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741519
Article
Diversification of marine aquaculture in Norway under climate change
Falconer L, Sparboe LO, Dale T, Hjøllo SS, Stavrakidis-Zachou O, Bergh Ø, James P, Papandroulakis N, Puvanendran V, Siikavuopio SI, Hansen ØJ & Ytteborg E (2024) Diversification of marine aquaculture in Norway under climate change. Aquaculture, 593, Art. No.: 741350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741350
Article
Cutajar K, Falconer L & Telfer TC (2024) Heavy metal contamination of the sea cucumber Holothuria poli cultured in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture in a multi-use coastal area. Aquaculture Reports, 36, Art. No.: 102102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2024.102102
Article
Real-world waste dispersion modelling for benthic integrated multi-trophic aquaculture
Cutajar K, Falconer L, Sharman A & Telfer TC (2024) Real-world waste dispersion modelling for benthic integrated multi-trophic aquaculture. PLOS ONE, 19 (5), p. e0303538. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303538
Article
Cutajar K, Gauci A, Falconer L, Massa-Gallucci A, Cox RE, Beltri ME, Bardócz T, Deidun A & Telfer TC (2023) Wind and shipping influences on sea currents around an inshore fish farm in a heavily contested Mediterranean embayment. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 62, Art. No.: 102855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2023.102855
Article
Ytteborg E, Falconer L, Krasnov A, Johansen L, Timmerhaus G, Johansson GS, Afanasyev S, Høst V, Hjøllo SS & Hansen ØJ (2023) Climate change with increasing seawater temperature will challenge the health of farmed Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua L.). Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1232580
Article
Context matters when using climate model projections for aquaculture
Falconer L, Ytteborg E, Goris N, Lauvset SK, Sandø AB & Hjøllo SS (2023) Context matters when using climate model projections for aquaculture. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1198451
Article
Planning and licensing for marine aquaculture
Falconer L, Cutajar K, Krupandan A, Capuzzo E, Corner RA, Ellis T, Jeffery K, Mikkelsen E, Moore H, O'Beirn FX, O'Donohoe P, Ruane NM, Shilland R, Tett P & Telfer TC (2023) Planning and licensing for marine aquaculture. Reviews in Aquaculture. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12783
Article
Seafood in Food Security: A Call for Bridging the Terrestrial-Aquatic Divide
Stetkiewicz S, Norman RA, Allison EH, Coffee P, Crumlish M, Eltholth M, Falconer L, Kaminski AM, Leschen W, McAdam B, Newton R, Pounds A, Schapper A, Young JA & Little DC (2022) Seafood in Food Security: A Call for Bridging the Terrestrial-Aquatic Divide. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, Art. No.: 703152. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.703152
Article
Falconer L, Telfer TC, Garrett A, Hermansen Ø, Mikkelsen E, Hjøllo SS, McAdam BJ & Ytteborg E (2022) Insight into real-world complexities is required to enable effective response from the aquaculture sector to climate change. PLOS Climate, 1 (3), Art. No.: e0000017. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000017
Article
CAPOT: A flexible rapid assessment model to estimate local deposition of fish cage farm wastes
Telfer TC, Bostock J, Oliver RLA, Corner RA & Falconer L (2022) CAPOT: A flexible rapid assessment model to estimate local deposition of fish cage farm wastes. Marine Environmental Research, 182, Art. No.: 105788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105788
Research Report
Climate change impacts on marine aquaculture relevant to the UK and Ireland
Murray A, Falconer L, Clarke D & Kennerley A (2022) Climate change impacts on marine aquaculture relevant to the UK and Ireland. UK Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP). https://www.mccip.org.uk/aquaculture. https://doi.org/10.14465/2022.reu01.aqu
Article
Cutajar K, Falconer L, Massa-Gallucci A, Cox RE, Schenke L, Bardócz T, Andolina C, Signa G, Vizzini S, Sprague M & Telfer TC (2022) Stable isotope and fatty acid analysis reveal the ability of sea cucumbers to use fish farm waste in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture. Journal of Environmental Management, 318, Art. No.: 115511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115511
Article
Yakubu SO, Falconer L & Telfer TC (2022) Scenario analysis and land use change modelling reveal opportunities and challenges for sustainable expansion of aquaculture in Nigeria. Aquaculture Reports, 23, Art. No.: 101071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2022.101071
Article
Offshore aquaculture of finfish: Big expectations at sea
Morro B, Davidson K, Adams TP, Falconer L, Holloway M, Dale A, Aleynik D, Thies PR, Khalid F, Hardwick J, Smith H, Gillibrand PA & Rey‐Planellas S (2022) Offshore aquaculture of finfish: Big expectations at sea. Reviews in Aquaculture, 14 (2), pp. 791-815. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12625
Article
Cutajar K, Falconer L, Massa-Gallucci A, Cox RE, Schenke L, Bardócz T, Sharman A, Deguara S & Telfer TC (2022) Culturing the sea cucumber Holothuria poli in open-water integrated multi-trophic aquaculture at a coastal Mediterranean fish farm. Aquaculture, 550, Art. No.: 737881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737881
Article
'Offshore' salmon aquaculture and identifying the needs for environmental regulation
Watson L, Falconer L, Dale T & Telfer TC (2022) 'Offshore' salmon aquaculture and identifying the needs for environmental regulation. Aquaculture, 546, Art. No.: 737342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737342
Article
Asmah R, Falconer L, Telfer TC, Karikari AY, Al Wahaibi M, Xia IF, Handisyde N, Quansah KE, Amoah DK, Alshihhi J & Ross LG (2021) Waterbody scale assessment using spatial models to identify suitable locations for cage aquaculture in large lake systems: A case study in Volta Lake, Ghana. Aquaculture Research, 52 (8), pp. 3854-3870. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.15230
Article
Mind the gap between ICES nations' future seafood consumption and aquaculture production
Froehlich HE, Couture J, Falconer L, Krause G, Morris JA, Perez M, Stentiford GD, Vehviläinen H & Halpern BS (2021) Mind the gap between ICES nations' future seafood consumption and aquaculture production. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 78 (1), pp. 468-477. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsaa066
Book Chapter
Impacts of climate change on aquaculture
Collins C, Bresnan E, Brown L, Falconer L, Guilder J, Jones L, Kennerley A, Malham S, Murray A & Stanley M (2020) Impacts of climate change on aquaculture. In: MCCIP Science Review 2020. Lowestoft: Marine Climate Change Impacts, p. 482–520. http://archive.mccip.org.uk/media/2031/21_aquaculture_2020.pdf; https://doi.org/10.14465/2020.arc21.aqu
Article
Baltadakis A, Casserly J, Falconer L, Sprague M & Telfer TC (2020) European lobsters utilise Atlantic salmon wastes in coastal integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems. Aquaculture Environment Interactions, 12, pp. 485-494. https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00378
Article
Graham P, Falconer L, Telfer T, Mossone P, Viale I & Carboni S (2020) A modelling approach to classify the suitability of shallow Mediterranean lagoons for Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) farming. Ocean and Coastal Management, 192, Art. No.: 105234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105234
Article
Falconer L, Middelboe AL, Kaas H, Ross L & Telfer T (2020) Use of geographic information systems for aquaculture and recommendations for development of spatial tools. Reviews in Aquaculture, 12 (2), pp. 664-677. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12345
Article
Barillé L, Bris AL, Goulletquer P, Thomas Y, Glize P, Kane F, Falconer L, Guillotreau P, Trouillet B, Palmer S & Gernez P (2020) Biological, socio-economic, and administrative opportunities and challenges to moving aquaculture offshore for small French oyster-farming companies. Aquaculture, 521, Art. No.: 735045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735045
Article
The importance of calibrating climate change projections to local conditions at aquaculture sites
Falconer L, Hjøllo SS, Telfer TC, McAdam BJ, Hermansen Ø & Ytteborg E (2020) The importance of calibrating climate change projections to local conditions at aquaculture sites. Aquaculture, 514, Art. No.: 734487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.734487
Article
Rico A, Vighi M, Van den Brink PJ, ter Horst M, Macken A, Lillicrap A, Falconer L & Telfer TC (2019) Use of models for the environmental risk assessment of veterinary medicines in European aquaculture: current situation and future perspectives. Reviews in Aquaculture, 11 (4), pp. 969-988. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12274
Article
What does 'beyond compliance' look like for the Scottish salmon aquaculture industry?
McGhee C, Falconer L & Telfer T (2019) What does 'beyond compliance' look like for the Scottish salmon aquaculture industry?. Marine Policy, 109, Art. No.: 103668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103668
Book Chapter
GIS Technologies for Sustainable Aquaculture
Falconer L, Telfer T, Pham KL & Ross L (2018) GIS Technologies for Sustainable Aquaculture. In: Huang B (ed.) Comprehensive Geographic Information Systems, Vol. 2. Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. Oxford: Elsevier, pp. 290-314. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124095489104592; https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.10459-2
Article
Falconer L, Telfer TC & Ross LG (2018) Modelling seasonal nutrient inputs from non-point sources across large catchments of importance to aquaculture. Aquaculture, 495, pp. 682-692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.06.054
Research Report
Cage aquaculture in Lake Volta, Ghana. Guidelines for a sustainable future
Asmah R, Karikari A, Falconer L, Telfer T & Ross L (2016) Cage aquaculture in Lake Volta, Ghana. Guidelines for a sustainable future. The Leverhulme Trust; Royal Society. Stirling: University of Stirling.
Article
Investigation of a novel approach for aquaculture site selection
Falconer L, Telfer T & Ross L (2016) Investigation of a novel approach for aquaculture site selection. Journal of Environmental Management, 181, pp. 791-804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.07.018
Article
Ferreira JG, Falconer L, Kittiwanich J, Ross L, Saurel C, Wellman K, Zhu C & Suvanachai P (2015) Analysis of production and environmental effects of Nile tilapia and white shrimp culture in Thailand. Aquaculture, 447, pp. 23-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2014.08.042
Book Chapter
Carrying capacities and site selection within the Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture
Ross L, Telfer T, Falconer L, Soto D, Aguilar-Manjarrez J, Asmah R, Bermudez JL, Beveridge MCM, Byron CJ, Clement A, Costa-Pierce BA, Cross SF, De Wit M & Dong S (2013) Carrying capacities and site selection within the Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture. In: Ross L, Telfer T, Falconer L, Soto D & Aguilar-Manjarrez J (eds.) Site selection and carrying capacity for inland and coastal aquaculture: FAO/Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling Expert Workshop, 6–8 December 2010, Stirling, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Proceedings, 21. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, pp. 19-46. http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3322e/i3322e.pdf
Edited Proceedings
Ross L, Telfer T, Falconer L, Soto D & Aguilar-Manjarrez J (eds.) (2013) Site selection and carrying capacities for inland and coastal aquaculture: FAO/Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Expert Workshop, 6–8 December 2010, Stirling, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Proceedings, 21. FAO/Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Expert Workshop, Stirling, Scotland, 06.12.2010-08.12.2010. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Article
Falconer L, Hunter D, Scott PC, Telfer T & Ross L (2013) Using physical environmental parameters and cage engineering design within GIS-based site suitability models for marine aquaculture. Aquaculture Environment Interactions, 4 (3), pp. 223-237. https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00084
Article
Visual, seascape and landscape analysis to support coastal aquaculture site selection
Falconer L, Hunter D, Telfer T & Ross L (2013) Visual, seascape and landscape analysis to support coastal aquaculture site selection. Land Use Policy, 34, pp. 1-10. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=&partnerID=40&md5=66b67c602de713ea589ba87915fd4ffe; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2013.02.002
Article
Ross L, Falconer L, Campos-Mendoza A & Martinez-Palacios CA (2011) Spatial modelling for freshwater cage location in the Presa Adolfo Mateos Lopez (El Infiernillo), Michoacán, México. Aquaculture Research, 42 (6), pp. 797-807. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2010.02689.x
