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Cambridge Global Food Security

An Interdisciplinary Research Centre at the University of Cambridge
 

David is building and supervising a research team focussed on innovation in underexploited and high potential fish and seafood sectors to benefit human health and environmental sustainability as well as thought leadership to guide policy.

A key component of work is the development of novel ‘breakthrough’ aquaculture production systems. Much of this work focusses on bivalve shellfish – clams, mussels, and oysters – which are rich in protein, omega-3, and essential micronutrients, and have a lower environmental footprint than meat and many terrestrial crops. For example we are investigating the development of a new ‘Naked Clam’ aquaculture sector, involving shell-less clams which feed on wood and grow an order of magnitude faster than other bivalves. The team is also looking at developing ‘Urban Bivalve’ production systems to enable production of bivalves more rapidly, to a higher quality and food safety level, and to enable access in new locations. David collaborates with innovative global food manufacturers on research across the supply chain to help bring bivalve-based foods to the consumer mass market.

David also looks at mechanisms that could be used to drive demand of sustainable nutritious fish and seafood in place of other meat and fish products. Behavioural choice experiments have been run across University Canteens, aiming to find ways to increase consumption of sustainable bivalves and low-trophic fish. Other areas under investigation include the importance of processing to drive mass-market consumption of bivalves, the role of fish and seafood in mother, baby and brain health, and systems to drive consumption of underutilised components and by-products of fish and seafood.

David works extensively on thought leading policy related projects which aim to improve the global sustainability and performance of fishery and aquaculture food systems. This includes developing new metrics and tools to assess production efficiency and footprint in for example in high-value finfish aquaculture and cephalopod fisheries. It also includes projects aiming to better define our global marine activities in order to more effectively enforce policy. This work also helps to inform team work on seafood production and demand to ensure that it is highly relevant and makes wise use of resources.

Biography

David is an interdisciplinary scientist aiming to improve the health of our population and planet through innovations in sustainable nutritious seafood production. 

David’s research focusses on developing mechanisms to improve production of and facilitate demand for one of the most sustainable and nutrient-rich foods on the planet - bivalve shellfish (clams, mussels, oysters).

Current research projects are investigating novel bivalve species and growth methodologies to improve bivalve production, testing specialised microencapsulated feeding technologies to increase bivalve quality and value, and identifying key food processing and retail levers to stimulate consumer demand.

David collaborates with major global food manufacturers and leading international NGOs. 

Research

Aquaculture, Food Security, Planetary Health, Human Health.

Publications

Key publications: 

Campanati, C., Willer, D.F., Schubert, S. & Aldridge, D.C. (2021). More fish, less waste, Blue Growth: sustainable intensification of aquaculture through nutrient recycling and circular economies. Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture. https://doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2021.1897520 

Willer, D. F. & Aldridge, D. C. (2020). Sustainable bivalve farming can deliver food security in the tropics. Nature Food, 1(7): 384-388. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-020-0116-8 

Willer, D. F. & Aldridge, D. C. (2020). Vitamin bullets. Microencapsulated feeds to fortify shellfish and tackle human nutrient deficiencies. Frontiers in Nutrition, 7:102. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2020.00102

Willer, D. F., Furse, S. & Aldridge, D. C. (2020). Microencapsulated algal feeds as a sustainable replacement diet for broodstock in commercial bivalve aquaculture. Scientific Reports, 10:12577. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69645-0  

Willer, D. F. & Aldridge, D. C. (2020). From pest to profit - The potential of shipworms for sustainable aquaculture. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4:575416. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.575416 

Willer, D.F., & Aldridge, D. C. (2019). Microencapsulated diets to improve bivalve shellfish aquaculture for global food security. Global Food Security, 23, 64-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2019.04.007

Willer, D. F., Smith, K. & Aldridge, D. C. (2019). Matches and Mismatches Between Global Conservation Efforts and Global Conservation Priorities. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 7, 297. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2019.00297

Willer, D., & Aldridge, D. C. (2019). Microencapsulated diets to improve growth and survivorship in juvenile European flat oysters (Ostrea edulis). Aquaculture, 505, 256-262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.02.072

Fitch, A., Orland, C., Willer, D., Emilson, E., & Tanentzap, A. J. (2018). Feasting on terrestrial organic matter: Dining in a dark lake changes microbial decomposition. Global Change Biology, 24, 5110–5122.  https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14391

Willer D, Aldridge DC. (2017). Microencapsulated diets to improve bivalve shellfish aquaculture. Royal Society Open Science, 4, 171142. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.171142

Other publications: 

Interesting Stories

‘The world’s their fish finger’ https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/fishfinger

‘Scientists supercharge shellfish to tackle vitamin deficiency in humans’ https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/scientists-supercharge-shellfish-to-...

'The simple food that fights climate change' https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/follow-the-food/the-simple-shellfish-... 

Research

Aldridge D, Arantzamendi L, Einarsson M, Keeper A, Schubert J, Willer DF, Zorita I, Campatini C. (2020). Microencapsulated diets offer new opportunities for sustainable bivalve production. Aquaculture Europe Magazine, 45:28.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Contact Details

Not available for consultancy

Affiliations

Classifications: 
Departments and institutes: