Alex Coram
Alex Coram is a marine biologist whose research focuses on interactions between marine mammals and human activities, with a particular emphasis on mitigating the effects of industrial processes like fisheries, aquaculture and renewable energy development on marine life.
He works closely with industry partners, regulators and NGOs to identify important research questions, and uses a range of scientific research techniques to develop, test and improve mitigation measures. As well as collecting and analysing industry data, his research projects use a range of techniques to study these interactions including marine bioacoustics, statistical analysis and GIS. He has written several important studies and reviews, particularly around non-lethal methods of seal control to prevent predation on fish farms. His work includes evaluating the effectiveness of low-frequency acoustic deterrents and other mitigation measures to prevent marine mammal bycatch and depredation.
As well as testing and developing mitigation methods, Alex is interested in the behaviour and motivation of marine mammals that interactions with human industries. By studying these factors, we can help to reduce or eliminate these conflicts, benefitting both humans and wildlife.
First detailed insights into harbour porpoise behaviour during a bycatch event
Macaulay, J., Kingston, A., Coram, A., Hicks, J., Oswald, M., Swift, R. J. & Northridge, S., 26 Aug 2026, In: Royal Society Open Science. 13, 8, p. 1-15 15 p., 260565.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
UK Bycatch Monitoring Programme Report for 2022
Kingston, A., Thomas, L., Moyes, F., Coram, A., Sparling, C., Mackay, A., Murray, J., Elson, J., Daunt, F., Searle, K., Cohen, M., Roach, M., Clarke, L., Balestri, E., McAllister, G. & Northridge, S., 15 Apr 2026, defra. 46 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
How to deter seals? A manually triggered acoustic deterrent study
Harris, R. N., Coram, A. J., Tapp, S. & Sparling, C. E., 6 Jun 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Marine Mammal Science. Early View, p. 1-8 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Marine Mammal Scientific Support Research Programme: Fisheries Interactions Annual Report 2023/24
Harris, R., Sparling, C. E., Tapp, S., Gillespie, D. M., Coram, A. J. & Durbach, I. N., 31 May 2024, 10 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Passive acoustic tracking of the three-dimensional movements and acoustic behaviour of toothed whales in close proximity to static nets
MacAulay, J., Kingston, A., Coram, A., Oswald, M., Swift, R., Gillespie, D. & Northridge, S., 6 Jun 2022, In: Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 13, 6, p. 1250-1264 15 p., 13828.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Preliminary estimates of seabird bycatch by UK vessels in UK and adjacent waters
Northridge, S., Kingston, A. & Coram, A. J., Oct 2020, Peterborough: defra. 36 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Review of non-lethal seal control options to limit seal predation on salmonids in rivers and fish farms
Thompson, D., Coram, A. J., Harris, R. & Sparling, C. E., 2020, Marine Scotland Science. 136 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
SIFIDS Work Package 5: identifying fishing activities and their associated drivers
James, M. A., Mendo, T., Ladd-Jones, H., McCann, P., Crowe, S., Coram, A. J. & Northridge, S., 2019, Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS). 75 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Three-dimensional movements of harbour seals in a tidally energetic channel: application of a novel sonar tracking system
Hastie, G. D., Bivins, M., Coram, A., Gordon, J., Jepp, P., MacAulay, J., Sparling, C. & Gillespie, D., Apr 2019, In: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 29, 4, p. 564-575
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Disentangling the causes of protected-species bycatch in gillnet fisheries
Northridge, S., Coram, A., Kingston, A. & Crawford, R., 9 May 2017, In: Conservation Biology. 31, 3, p. 686-695 10 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Plugging the Gaps - Improving Our Knowledge of How Predators Impact Salmon Farms
Coram, A. J., Mazilu, M. & Northridge, S. P., May 2016, Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum. 39 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
The density and behaviour of marine mammals in tidal rapids: Marine Mammal Scientific Support Research Programme MMSS/001/11. MR7.1. Report to Scottish Government 50pp
MacAulay, J. D. J., Malinka, C. E., Coram, A. J., Gordon, J. C. D. & Northridge, S., 2015, Scottish Government. 50 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Evaluating and Assessing the Relative Effectiveness of Acoustic Deterrent Devices and other Non-Lethal Measures on Marine Mammals
Coram, A. J., Gordon, J. C. D., Thompson, D. & Northridge, S., Oct 2014, Scottish Government. 145 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Investigations on Seal Depredation at Scottish Fish Farms
Northridge, S., Coram, A. J. & Gordon, J. C. D., Jul 2013, SMRU. 79 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Wave & Tidal Consenting Position Paper Series: Marine Mammal Impacts
Sparling, C. E., Coram, A. J., McConnell, B. J., Thompson, D., Hawkins, K. R. & Northridge, S., 21 Oct 2013, Natural Environment Research Council. 11 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
The susceptibility of sensitive species through analysis of their distribution and the overlap with relevant fishing effort distribution: SMRU Contribution to the DefineIt Final Report
Northridge, S. P., Coram, A. J. & Kingston, A. R., Jun 2012, defra. 60 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Assessment of the impacts and utility of acoustic deterrent devices
Northridge, S., Gordon, J., Booth, C., Calderan, S., Cargill, A., Coram, A. J., Gillespie, D. M., Lonergan, M. & Webb, A., 2010, Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum. 1 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Entanglement of minke whales in Scottish waters; an investigation into occurrence , causes and mitigation
Northridge, S., Cargill, A., Coram, A., Mandleberg, L., Calderan, S. & Reid, B., 2010, 1 p. Contract Report to Scottish Government.
Research output: Other contribution