Dr Ian Hudson

The SERPENT Project started back in 2002 as a link between the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton and colleagues in the oil and gas industry. Since then the project has grown rapidly each year. Since its official full-time launch in March 2004 SERPENT has grown to encompass a global network of Industry, Science and Media partners.

I started my career in marine science with a Bsc (Hons) degree in Marine Biology at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. During my research I tasted the life at sea while working for the Canadian Dept for Fisheries and Oceans on Vancouver Island. After 3 months on board the FRV W.E Ricker working with the Canadian Coast Guard, I was hooked on research at sea.

I then joined the DEEPSEAS group, at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton where I worked as a technician for a short period before commencing my PhD Deep-sea Biology: Food for Thought? During this research I participated in a range of research cruises around the world with a variety of different institutions including Woods Hole, Aberdeen University and many more.

I am now the Corporate Environmental Advisor for SERPENT Project partner Transocean, a role which allows me to help SERPENT to expand and diversify within my new organisation and to try to make new links with other industry organisations.

Science Interests

Deep Sea Experimentation

SERPENT and access to ROVs provides a unique resource to explore the development of novel technology to examine and experiment with species living on the deep seafloor. Using benthic chambers developed in partnership with OceanLab, Aberdeen University we aim to look at the respiration, feeding and reproduction of a range of key deep-sea species.

Oil and Gas Activities

Working with oil and gas industry companies has allowed SERPENT to develop a new array of techniques to survey, census and examine impact, recovery and monitoring of the ecology and sediments. Using high resolution video techniques and sampling we are aiming to publish a range of new papers into the recovery of sites from offshore exploration and to provide up to date advice on best practices for future EIA survey and baselines.

Deep Sea Ecology

My PhD focused on the feeding ecology and biology of deep-sea holothurians (sea cucumbers) from the NE Atlantic Ocean. Using a range of biochemical techniques, it has been possible to show how different species of holothurian have subtly different biochemical diets, linked to the carotenoid compounds of fluxed phytoplankton, how this response may have dramatic effects on the biodiversity of the seafloor benthos and how it may be linked to long-term changes in the climate. This work continues to be an increasingly important theme of research for SERPENT.

SAMOA: New volcanic islands in the Pacific

As part of a new flagship project to study the geology and biology of a new Samoan volcanic island, Vailulu’I, I participated in research mission using ROV and submersible technology to investigate the habitats of a new volcanic system active in the Samoan Pacific. In collaboration with the lead science teams from the USA and Australia myself and Daniel Jones hope to habitat map and examine the ecological patterns of this complex system. Find out more about this exciting project.

Recent Publications

Ian R. Hudson, Benjamin D. Wigham, Martin Solan and Rutger Rosenberg (2005) Feeding behaviour of deep-sea dwelling holothurians: Inferences from a laboratory investigation of shallow fjordic species. Journal of Marine Systems.

Hudson, I.R, Pond, D.W, Billett, D.S.M, Lampitt, R.S & Wolff G.A. (2004) Temporal variations in the fatty acids of deep-sea holothurians: evidence of bentho-pelagic coupling in the deep sea ?. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 281: 109-120.

Solan, M, Wigham, B.D, Hudson, I.R, Kennedy, R, Coulon. C, Norling, K, Nilsson, H.C, & Rosenbreg, R. (2004) In Situ quantification of bioturbation using time-lapse fluorescent sediment profile imaging (f-SPI), luminophore tracers and model simulation. Mar Ecol Prog Ser, 271, 1-12.

Laurenson, C, Hudson, I. R, Jones, D. O. B, Priede, I. G. (2004) Deepwater observations of monkfish, Lophius piscatorius, in the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean by means of a remotely operated vehicle. J. Fish Biol. 65, 947-960.

Hudson, I. R, Wigham, B. D. and Tyler P. A. (2004). The feeding behaviour of deep-sea holothurians based on in situ observations and experiments using a Remotely Operated Vehicle. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 301, 75-91.

Hudson, I. R, Wigham,, B. D, Billett, D.S.M & Tyler, P.A. (2003). Seasonality and selectivity in the feeding ecology and reproductive biology of deep-sea bathyal holothurians. Prog Oceanogr, 59, 381-407.

Wigham. B.D, Hudson, I.R, Billett, D.S.M, & Wolff, G.A. (2003). Long-term change in the abyssal Northeast Atlantic driven by qualitative changes in export flux? Evidence from selective feeding in deep-sea holothurians. Prog Oceanogr, 59, 407-432.

Hansson, L.J, Hudson, I.R, Seddon, R.J, Shaw, O & Thomason, J.C. (2003). Massive recruitment of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides in the Clyde Sea (Scotland UK) in the spring of 2000. J. Mar Biol Assoc UK. 83. 923-924.

Hudson, I. R and Wigham, B. D. (2003). In situ observations of the predatory feeding behaviour of the galatheid squat lobster Munida sarsi using a remotely operated vehicle. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K. 83, 463-464. Download.