Philippe Maes

Philippe Maes is a Lecturer in Marine Biology at the University of South Brittany, specializing in innovative methods for marine biodiversity monitoring. His research career spans multiple institutions in Brittany, beginning at the University of Western Brittany in Brest where he studied bacterial pathologies in marine invertebrates, before moving to his current position.

His research focuses on using cormorant pellets as a natural sampling method to study coastal fish biodiversity. By analyzing the otoliths (ear stones) found in these pellets, Maes can identify fish species, determine their sizes, and track population dynamics throughout the year without expensive boat-based surveys.

His work reveals important seasonal patterns in fish populations, such as the three-spined stickleback's winter abundance due to male protective behavior during egg guarding, and the common goby's spring-summer reproductive cycle. This long-term monitoring provides crucial baseline data for understanding coastal ecosystem changes in the context of global environmental shifts.

His notable scientific contribution includes receiving research funding from the Marine Protected Areas Agency for his work on cormorant-based biodiversity monitoring. His recent 2024 publication demonstrates how this method provides continuous, cost-effective ecosystem monitoring that would be prohibitively expensive using traditional research vessels.

Maes collaborates extensively with the National Nature Reserve of Séné Marshes and the Brittany Living Association, integrating academic research with practical conservation efforts in coastal ecosystems.