I am a benthic ecologist with a broad background in oceanography, and have worked on numerous habitat mapping and environmental management projects for a variety of different sectors and end clients, including oil and gas, marine aggregates, aquaculture and non-statutory nature conservation bodies (e.g. JNCC, & SNH etc.).
Recent projects I have been involved with include looking at the benthic impacts of fish farming in Scotland, investigating the licensing of wild seaweed harvesting, Environmental Impacts Assessment of renewable energy devices and assessing the monitoring locations for wild shellfish harvesting.
I have authored over 100 technical reports for a variety of clients and end-users, including the production of GIS deliverables where required.
I am also a trained Internal Auditor, and work with the Quality Manager help to maintain SAMS’ ISO9001 and ISO17025 accreditations.
Lecturing
: Lecturer, Year 4 module 'Marine Environmental Impact Assessment'
Current research students
Christian Armstrong: Assessing dynamic seabed change on the UK continental shelf. 2019-present
Peer-reviewed publications
Armstrong C, Howe JA, Allen C, Watson P (2021) Mobile bedform dynamics approaching a bedload parting site: Pentland Firth, northeast UK. Marine Geology 443: 106686 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2021.106686
Armstrong C, Howe JA, Dale A, Allen C (2021) Bathymetric observations of an extreme tidal flow: Approaches to the Gulf of Corryvreckan, western Scotland, UK. Continental Shelf Research 217: 1-13 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2021.104347
CJ Allen, PF Clark, GLJ Paterson, LE Hawkins, C Aryuthaka (2011) New record of Dotilla intermedia (Brachyura: Ocypodidae) from Thailand. Marine Biodiversity Records, Vol. 4; e11
CJ Allen, GLJ Paterson, LE Hawkins, C Hauton, PF Clark, C Aryuthaka (2010) Zonation on sandy tropical beaches: a case study using Dotilla intermedia (Brachyura: Ocypodidae). Marine Ecology Progress Series, 408: 97-107
Selected commercial reports
Rouse, S., Allen, C., Brook, T., Dale, R., Reed, S., Vare, L.L. & Wilding, T (2020). Assessment of marine growth communities using Structure from Motion 3D Photogrammetry. A report by SRSL for Chevron, pp. 50
Stanley, M.S., Kerrison, P.K., Macleod, A.M., Rolin, C., Farley, I., Parker, A., Billing, S-L., Burrows, M., Thompson, A. & Allen, C. (2019). Seaweed Farming Feasibility Study for Argyll & Bute. A report by SRSL for Argyll & Bute Council, pp. 190
Allen, C.J., Billing, S-L., Forster, I., Fox, C.J., Howe, J.A., Hughes, D.J., Macleod, A.K., Nickell, T., Risch, D. & Stanley, M.S. (2018). Scientific Review of the Premier Oil Sea Lion Development Environmental Impact Statement. A report by SRSL for Falklands Island Government Environmental Planning and Mineral Resources Departments, pp. 37
Burrows M.T., Fox, C.J., Moore, P., Smale, D., Sotheran, I., Benson, A., Greenhill, L., Martino, S., Parker, A., Thompson, E., Allen, C.J. (2018). Wild Seaweed Harvesting as a Diversification Opportunity for Fishermen. A report by SRSL for Highlands & Islands Enterprise, pp. 213
Howe, J.A., Abernethy, C. & Allen, C.J. (2017). AUV Seabed Survey of Proposed Cable Route, Upper Loch Etive: Survey Analysis Report. A report by SRSL for Green Highland Renewables Ltd., pp. 24
Burrows, M.T., Hughes, D.J., Austin, W.E.N., Smeaton, C., Hicks, N., Howe, J.A., Allen, C., Taylor, P. & Vare, L.L. (2017). Assessment of Blue Carbon Resources in Scotland’s Inshore Marine Protected Area Network. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 957
Risch, D., Benjamins, S., Stauber, J., Marmo, B., Wilson, B. & Allen, C. (2016). Caithness to Shetland HVDC: Assessment of the Source and Effects of Anthropogenic Noise in the Marine Environment. A report by SRSL for Scottish & Southern Energy, pp. 224
Allen, C. & Fox, C. (2016). Jellyfish Advance Warning System: Literature Review on Jellyfish Blooms. A report by SRSL for EDF Energy and SSPO, pp. 42
Macleod, A., Benjamins, S., Allen, C. & Nickell, T.D. (2016). Habitats Regulations Appraisal: Screening Report for Fair Head Tidal Energy Project. A report by SRSL for DP Marine Energy, pp. 55
Macleod, A., Benjamins, S., Allen, C. & Nickell, T.D. (2016). Environmental Statement for Fair Head Tidal Energy Project: Marine Mammals and Basking Shark Chapter. A report by SRSL for DP Marine Energy, pp. 111
Allen, C., Axelsson, M. & Dewey S. (2016). Community analysis of offshore MCZ grab and video data (2014). A report to JNCC by Seastar Survey Ltd. JNCC Report No. 588. JNCC, Peterborough.
Macleod, A., Cook, E., Hughes, D. & Allen, C. (2015). Investigating the Impacts of Marine Invasive Non-Native Species. A report by SRSL for Natural England & Natural Resources Wales, pp. 59
Allen, C. (2015). Aquaculture and the Environment: Research and Regulation. A Briefing Document for the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Environment & Water. A report by SRSL for UAE MOEW, pp. 4
Risch, D., Allen, C., Lepper, P., Wilson, B. & Elliot, J. (2014). Baseline Ambient Noise Assessment, Fair Head Tidal Energy Project, Northern Ireland. A report by SRSL for DP Energy, pp. 51
Allen, C., Axelsson, M. & Dewey S. (2014). Analysis of a Subset of Video and Still Data from Deep-Water Surveys. A report to JNCC by Seastar Survey Ltd., 49 pages
Allen, C., Axelsson, M., Doran, J., & Dewey, S. (2014). Survey of marine features within the Luce Bay and Sands Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report Number. No. 738.
Allen, C., Axelsson, M., Dewey, S. & Wilson, J. (2014). Fal and Helford SAC maerl drop-down video and dive survey 2013. A report to Natural England by Seastar Survey Ltd., 89 pages
Allen, C., Axelsson, M. & Dewey S. (2013). JNCC Marine Survey Scotia 1013S Pobie Bank Reef cSAC Benthic Sample Analysis. A report to JNCC by Seastar Survey Ltd., 110 pages.
Allen, C., Axelsson, M., Dewey, S., & Clark, L. (2013). Marine biological survey to establish the distribution of Priority Marine Features within the Clyde Sea area. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No.437.
Allen, C., Dewey, S. & Axelsson, M. (2014). Biotope analysis of Marine Scotland Science underwater video footage from the Hebridean Slope. JNCC Report, No. 511
O’Dell, J., Axelsson, M., Dewey, S., Allen, C. & Hawes, J. (2013). South Wight Maritime SAC – inshore ground-truthing and habitat survey. A report to Natural England by Seastar Survey Ltd., 95 pages
Axelsson, M., Allen, C. & Dewey, S. (2012). Survey and monitoring of seagrass beds at Studland Bay, Dorset – second seagrass monitoring report. Report to The Crown Estate and Natural England by Seastar Survey Ltd, June 2012, 65 pages
Axelsson, M., Allen, C. & Dewey, S. (2012). Infaunal analysis of grab samples collected from Canna, Small Isles, in June 2011. Report by Seastar Survey Ltd. for Scottish Natural Heritage. Commissioned Report No. 504
Axelsson, M., Allen, C. & Dewey, S. (2012). Infaunal analysis of grab samples collected from the North Minch area, 2011. Report by Seastar Survey Ltd. for Scottish Natural Heritage. Commissioned Report No. 503
Axelsson, M., Dewey, S., Allen, C. & Hawes, J. (2012). Investigations into wader and wildfowl density and behaviour in relation to algal cover density in Poole Harbour. Report by Seastar Survey Ltd. for Natural England. 76 pages
Axelsson, M., Dewey, S., Allen, C. & Doran, J. (2011). Alderney South Banks acoustic and environmental survey 2011 – the environmental survey report. A report to the Alderney Commission for Renewable Energy (ACRE) by Seastar Survey Ltd., 80 pages
Employment history
Since 2019 Technical Resource Manager. SAMS
2014-19 Environmental Consultant. SAMS
2011-14 Senior Marine Biologist. Seastar Survey Ltd
Qualifications
APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
2010 PhD 'The ecology of the intertidal crab Dotilla intermedia from Tsunami impacted beaches in Thailand'. University of Southampton
2005 MOcean Master of Oceanography. University of Southampton
Other certificates
JNCC Marine Mammal Observer
JNCC PAM Operator
UKAS Laboratory Internal Auditor