Anita is an Estuarine & Marine Ecologist, with specialist expertise on estuarine and marine fish communities, including their structure and functioning, their status and distribution in relation with habitat characteristics and human pressures, their monitoring and ecological assessment. She is also a quantitative ecologist, with expertise on experimental/sampling strategies and design, statistical analysis and modelling of ecological data.

Anita is currently an independent ecological consultant with a wealth of experience in designing, managing and delivering research and consultancy projects to a wide range of clients within this field, having formerly been employed as the Senior Fish and Numerical Ecologist at the Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies (IECS) at the University of Hull (2011-2019).

She has provided scientific and technical advice to the UK Government and its statutory agencies (e.g. Defra, Natural England, Environment Agency, Marine Management Organisation, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Scottish Natural Heritage), the industry and developers (e.g. Associated British Ports, E.ON, SSE, RWE npower, Oil & Gas UK, Able UK) on the status and condition of marine and estuarine habitats and species (including fish and shellfish and their essential habitats, fishery, benthic fauna and birds), on the ecological value of marine habitats in support of marine planning programmes and on the potential risks and impacts to the marine environment of a range of human activities, including offshore wind farms, port developments, gas storage facilities, etc. Anita has also been involved in EU projects, including the current Horizon 2020 project CERES (Climate change and European aquatic RESources) and FP7 projects DEVOTES (Developing innovative tools to understand marine biodiversity and good environmental status), TIDE (Tidal River Development), and WISER (Water bodies in Europe: Integrative Systems to assess Ecological status and Recovery).

Anita has published her research in peer reviewed international journals and books, and has presented it to a variety of audiences at international conferences, meetings, stakeholder events, etc. She has substantial experience in peer reviewing manuscripts for international journals, is an Associate Editor of Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Sciences and an elected council member of the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA).

Elliott M; Borja Á; Berg T; Carstensen J; Franco A; Katsanevakis S; Leal M C; Papadopoulou N; Uyarra M C

Policy Brief: Good Environmental Status - What is it and how do we known when it is achieved? Technical Report

2026.

Links

Barnard M; Franco A; Amorim E; Papadopoulou N; Smith C; Elliott M; Borja Á

The practical application of Ecosystem-Based Management tools to marine ecological assessment: optimising tool selection for specific applications – the SEAS4GES Decision Support Tool Book Chapter

In: The Encyclopaedia of Ecology, 2026.

Elliott M; Borja Á; Andersen J; Franco A; Papadopoulou N; Smith C; Uyarra M C

Policy brief: Healthy oceans for health societies Technical Report

2026.

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Franco A; Elliott M; Smith C; Papadopoulou N; Boyes S; Borja Á

Policy Brief: The method of choosing tools to support Ecosystem-Based Management and marine ecosystem managers – SEAS4GES Technical Report

2026.

Links

Barnard S; Franco A; Amorim E; Papadopoulou N; Smith C; Elliott M; Borja Á

SEAS4GES: Selection of Ecosystem-based ApproacheS for Good Environmental Status (GES) Technical Report

2025.

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Franco A; Elliott M; Smith C; Papadopoulou N; Boyes S; Borja Á

Policy Brief: The method of choosing tools to support Ecosystem-Based Management and marine ecosystem managers – SEAS4GES Technical Report

2025.

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Franco A

Ecological Value Assessment - Excel tool Miscellaneous

2025.

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Franco A; Elliott M; Amorim E; Barnard S; Smith C J; Borja Á; Cormier R; Papadopoulou N

Assessment tools are needed to support marine ecosystem-based management, but how to get them used practically? Journal Article

In: Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 12, iss. 1643943, 2025.

Links

Lazăr L; Bişinicu E; Smyth K; Franco A; Elliott M

Strategic approaches to eutrophication management in the Black Sea: scenario testing and policy implications Journal Article

In: Cercetări Marine - Recherches Marines, vol. 55, iss. 1, 2025.

Links

Franco A; Smyth K; Elliott M

Operationalising Bow-tie analysis to assess main concerns about biodiversity change in European Seas Technical Report

2025.

Links

Franco A; Amorim E; Smith G; Thomson S; Elliott M

A Natural Capital based audit and meta-analysis of fish and fisheries evidence relevant to English Inshore waters Technical Report

2025.

Papadopoulou N; Smith C J; Franco A; Elliott M; Borja Á; Andersen J H; Amorim E; Atkins J P; Barnard S; Berg T; Birchenough S N R; Burdon D; Claudet J; Cormier R; Galparsoro I; Judd A; Katsanevakis S; Korpinen S; Lazar L; Loiseau C; Lynam C; Menchaca I; O’Toole C; Pedreschi D; Piet G; Reid D; Salinas-Akhmadeeva I A; Stelzenmüller V; Tamis J E; Uusitalo L; Uyarra M C

'Horses for courses' an interrogation of tools for marine Ecosystem-Based Management Journal Article

In: Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 12, iss. 1426971, 2025.

Links

Elliott M; Atkins J; Baird D; Cutts N; Franco A; Whitfield A

Review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and Associated Documents Submitted by the Sandpiper Project for the Proposed Extraction of Phosphate-Enriched Sediments from the Marine Mining Licence Area (MLA) No. 170 Off Walvis Bay, Namibia Technical Report

2024.

Franco A; Amorim E; Smith G; Barnard S; Elliott M

Task 3: Indicators for the state of the EU ocean and seas Technical Report

2024.

Franco A; Elliott M; Amorim E; Barnard S; Smith C; Borja Á; Cormier R; Papadopoulou N

Assessment approaches supporting ecosystem-based management: key features for their practical implementation Presentation

02.09.2024.

Franco A; Amorim E; Elliott M

An approach for the Ecological Value Assessment of coastal and marine areas Presentation

02.09.2024.

Links

Barnard S; Amorim E; Franco A; Papadopoulou N; Elliott M; Smith C

SEAS4GES: Optimising tool selection when applying EBM approaches to ecological assessment Presentation

02.09.2024.

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Fortuna C M; Fortibuoni T; Bueno-Pardo J; Coll M; Franco A; Giménez J; Stranga Y; Peck M A; Claver C; Brasseur S; Fernández-Corredor E; Fraschetti S; Garcia-Garin O; van Leeuwen A; Louzao M; Pedrajas A; Raicevich S; Ramírez F; Ransijn J; Russell D; Serena F; Sbragaglia V; Katsanevakis S

Top predator status and trends: ecological implications, monitoring and mitigation strategies to promote ecosystem-based management Journal Article

In: Frontiers in Marine Science - Marine Ecosystem Ecology, vol. 11, 2024.

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Franco A; Elliott M; Amorim E; Barnard S; Smith C; Borja Á; Cormier R; Papadopoulou N

GES4SEAS Deliverable 2.3: Guidelines (Best Practical Options) for Practical Ecosystem Approach Technical Report

2023.

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Katsanevakis S; Sagarminaga Y; Fortuna C M; Amorim E; Birchenough S N R; Boicenco L; Borrello P; Bosch-Belmar M; Brasseur S; Bresnan E; Bueno-Pardo J; Camp J; Coll M; Claver C; de Angelis R; Doyle T; Ferrer L; Fernández-Corredor E; France J; Fortibuoni T; Franco A; Fraschetti S; Fumarola L; Garcés E; Garcia-Garin O; Giménez J; Holland M; Jakobsen H; Jaspers C; Knudsen S W; Kobos J; Lanzén A; Leone A; Leoni V; Louzao M; Lynam C P; Magaletti E; Mazaris A; Machairopoulou M; Montero N; Nikolaou A; Olenin S; Pagou K; Peck M A; Pedrajas A; Piraino S; Puntila-Dodd R; Raicevich S; Ramírez F; Ransijn J; Reñé A; Revilla M; Rilov G; Rodríguez G J; Russell D; Sampedro N; Sbragaglia V; Serena F; Spada E; Stæhr P A U; Stern R; Stranga Y; Teixeira H; Tidbury H J; Tsirintanis K; Tsirtsis G; van Leeuwen A; Papadopoulou N; Elliott M; Borja Á

GES4SEAS Deliverable 2.2: Technical Report on the State-of-the-Art in Support of Ecosystem-Based Management Approaches to Address Harmful Algal Blooms, Jellyfish Outbreaks, Invasive Species, and Decline of Top Predators Technical Report

2023.

Links

Barnard S; Franco A; Burdon D; Atkins J; Elliott M

EAD Knowledge Engineering: A Knowledge Management Platform Technical Report

2023.

Papadopoulou N; Smith C; Franco A; Elliott M; Borja Á; Andersen J; Amorim E; Atkins J; Barnard S; Berg T; Birchenough S N R; Burdon D; Claudet J; Cormier R; Galparsoro I; Judd A; Katsanevakis S; Korpinen S; Lazar L; Liquete C; Loiseau C; Lynam C; Menchaca I; O’Toole C; Pedreschi D; Piet G; Reid D; Salinas-Akhmadeeva I; Stelzenmüller V; Tamis J; Uusitalo L; Uyarra M C

GES4SEAS Deliverable 2.1: Ecosystem Management Approaches Based on a Review of the Activity-Pressures-Effects Chain Towards Achieving Good Environmental Status in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive Technical Report

2023.

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Smith C; Papadopoulou N; Elliott M; Franco A; Barnard S; Borja Á; Uyarra M C

Marine Strategy Framework Directive Terminology Definitions and Lists, GES4SEAS Project Technical Report

2022.

Links

Franco A; Musk W

Intertidal sediment survey in East Yorkshire Technical Report

2022.

Franco A; Smyth K; Thomson S

Developing Essential Fish Habitat maps for fish and shellfish species in Scotland Technical Report

2022.

Links

Elliott M; Franco A; Ramos S; Hemingway K; Marshall S

Appendix B Study Methods: Data Processing, Analysis and Interpretation Book Chapter

In: Whitfield, Alan K; Able, Kenneth W; Blaber, Stephen J M; Elliott, Mike (Ed.): Fish and Fisheries in Estuaries – A Global Perspective , pp. 941-1005, John Wiley & Sons, Oxford, UK, 2022, ISBN: 9781444336672.

Franco A; Elliott M; Franzoi P; Nunn A; Hänfling B; Colclough S; Young M

Appendix A Study Methods: Field Equipment, Sampling and Methods Book Chapter

In: Whitfield, Alan K; Able, Kenneth W; Blaber, Stephen J M; Elliott, Mike (Ed.): Fish and Fisheries in Estuaries – A Global Perspective , pp. 874-940, John Wiley & Sons, Oxford, UK, 2022, ISBN: 9781444336672.

Whitfield A K; Able K W; Blaber S J M; Elliott M; Franco A; Harrison T D; Houde E D

Chapter 5 Feeding Ecology and Trophic Dynamics Book Chapter

In: Whitfield, Alan K; Able, Kenneth W; Blaber, Stephen J M; Elliott, Mike (Ed.): Fish and Fisheries in Estuaries – A Global Perspective, pp. 255-331, John Wiley & Sons, Oxford, UK, 2022, ISBN: 9781444336672.

Whitfield A K; Elliott M; Blaber S J M; Harrison T D; Tweedley J R; Franco A; Potter I C

Chapter 2. Fish assemblages and functional groups. Book Chapter

In: Whitfield, Alan K; Able, Kenneth W; Blaber, Stephen J M; Elliott, Mike (Ed.): Fish and Fisheries in Estuaries – A Global Perspective, pp. 16-59, John Wiley & Sons, Oxford, UK, 2022, ISBN: 9781444336672.

Elliott M; Franco A; Ramos S; Hemingway K; Marshall S

Appendix B Study Methods: Data Processing, Analysis and Interpretation Book Section

In: Whitfield, Alan; Able, Kenneth W; Blaber, Stephen J M; Elliott, Mike (Ed.): and Fisheries in Estuaries – A Global Perspective, pp. 941-1005, John Wiley & Sons, Oxford, UK, 2022, ISBN: 9781444336672.

Franco A; Okane C; Elliott M; Haines R; Sharkey W

Coordinated assessments of marine species and habitats under the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive Technical Report

2021.

Links

Elliott M; Atkins J; Barnard S; Burdon D; Franco A; Hasham F; Mohamed M

GPC-GIS, Multi-entity Workshops for Abu Dhabi State of Environment Dashboards Technical Report

2021.

da C Souza I; Arrivabene H P; Azevedo V C; Duarte I D; Matsumoto L D R S T; Franco A; Elliott M; Wunderlin D A; Monferrán M V; Fernandes M N

Different trophodynamics between two proximate estuaries with differing degrees of pollution Journal Article

In: Science of the Total Environment, vol. 770, iss. 144651, 2021.

Links

Franco A; Cutts N

Chapter 10: Aquatic Ecology Book Chapter

In: Able Marine Energy Park (Material Change 2) Preliminary Environmental Information Report, 2021.

Franco A; Burdon D; Barnard S; Elliott M; Mazik K; Smyth K; Herbon C; Singleton G; Wade K; Weather E

Marine ecosystem health: A streamlined approach for assessments through integration, harmonisation and forecasting Journal Article

In: 2020, ISSN: 0963-8091.

Elliott M; Barnard S; Boyes S; Burdon D; Cutts N; Franco A; Smyth K

The Framework and Options for Compensation for Marine Annex 1 Habitats for Offshore Wind Farms Technical Report

2020, (Contract No. 0456).

Elliott M; Franco A; Smyth K

CERES Deliverable Report 5.1: Industry- and policy-driven conceptual frameworks of climate change impacts Technical Report

2020.

Links

Ducrotoy J; Elliott M; Cutts N; Franco A; Little S; Mazik K; Wilkinson M

Chapter 33 - Temperate Estuaries: their ecology under future environmental changes Book Chapter

In: Wolanski, Eric; Day, JW; Elliott, Mike; Ramachandran, R (Ed.): Coasts and Estuaries: The Future, pp. 577-594, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2019, ISBN: 978-0-12-814003-1.

Waugh A; Elliott M; Franco A

Debunking paradigms in estuarine fish species richness Journal Article

In: Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 613, pp. 125-135, 2019.

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