Robin Shields obtained a 1st class degree in Zoology/Marine Biology from University of Wales Bangor and a PhD in Marine Biology from the same institution (1990). He has been continuously involved in applied aquaculture research since graduating, within the UK Sea Fish Industry Authority and more recently as Finfish Program Manager at the Oceanic Institute, Hawaii. He joined Swansea University in 2003, as Research Director for the Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Research.

Current research is focused on evaluating alternative ingredients to marine fishmeal and fish oil for use in formulated diets for farmed finfish and crustacea; water quality control in recirculating aquaculture systems; effluent management from land-based fish farms; and culture technologies for tropical marine fish larvae.

Selected publications:

Brown, N.P., Shields, R.J. and Bromage, N.R., In Press. The influence of water temperature on spawning patterns and egg quality in the Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.). Aquaculture.

Verner-Jeffreys, D.W., Nakamura, I. and Shields, R.J., 2006. Egg-associated microflora of Pacific threadfin, Polydactylus sexfilis and amberjack, Seriola rivoliana, eggs. Characterisation and properties. Aquaculture 253, 184-196.

Shields, R.J., Kotani, T., Molnar, A., Marion, K., Kobashigawa, J. and Tang, L., 2005. Intensive cultivation of a subtropical paracalanid copepod, Parvocalanus sp., as prey for small marine fish larvae. In, Lee, C.S., O'Bryen, P.J. and Marcus, N.H.  (Eds.) "Copepods in Aquaculture". Blackwell Publishing Professional, Iowa 50014, USA. pp 209-224.

Verner-Jeffreys, D.W., Shields, R.J., Bricknell, I.R. and Birkbeck, T.H., 2004. Effects of different water treatment methods and antibiotic addition on larval survival and gut microflora development in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) yolk-sac larvae. Aquaculture 232, 129-143.

Vermeirssen, E.L.M., Mazorra de Quero, C., Shields, R.J., Norberg, B., Kime, D.E. and Scott, A.P., 2004. Fertility and motility of sperm from Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) in relation to dose and timing of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist implant. Aquaculture 230, 547-567.

Verner-Jeffreys, D.W., Shields, R.J. and Birkbeck, T.H., 2003. Bacterial influences on Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus yolk-sac larval survival and start-feed response. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 56, 105-113.

Shields, R.J., Irwin, S., Smith, P.L. and McEvoy, L.A., 2003. Effects of diet transition regimen on survival, growth and lipid composition of intensively reared Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, larvae. Aquaculture International 11, 119-130.