Staff Profiles

Dr Richard Fitzgerald

B.Sc, Ph.D, M.B.A

Biography

My primary degree (B.Sc.) is in Zoology and I was awarded a PhD for studies on ecological interactions of fish-parasite communities while at UCC but I also hold qualifications in Business (MBA) and in Finance. I have been involved in Research and Development in Aquaculture for almost 30 years in a variety of roles and posts. In the 1980s, I worked as Technical Director with a salmon farming company owned by the State Venture Capital agency and, thereafter, for a decade through the 1990s, managed and led research efforts at the Aquaculture Development Centre in UCC. In 2000, I established and managed my own specialist seafood company until 2006. In 2006/7, I joined NUI Galway as a Senior Research Fellow, and, currently, manage the Carna Research Station of the Ryan Institute. I have served as a member of State Boards, Agencies and representative/consultative fora and trade organisations both Nationally and Internationally.

Research Interests

My research interests are quite broad including; the growth performance of finfish in response to critical rearing conditions and husbandry practices; growth modelling; feed utilisation and formation of social hierarchies in farmed fish populations; the development of novel dietary formulations for farmed fish; the immuno-competence of farmed stocks; and product characteristics and quality.

Peer Reviewed Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2014)	'Multiplexing with three-primer PCR for rapid and economical microsatellite validation' Vartia, S., Collins, P.C., Cross, T.F., FitzGerald, R.D., Gauthier, D.T., McGinnity, P., Mirimin, L. & Carlsson J (2014) 'Multiplexing with three-primer PCR for rapid and economical microsatellite validation'. Hereditas, 151 ((2-3)):43-54 [Details]
	(2013)	'Rapid, economical single‐nucleotide polymorphism and microsatellite discovery based on de novo assembly of a reduced representation genome in a non‐model organism: a case study of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua' J Carlsson, DT Gauthier, JEL Carlsson, JP Coughlan, E Dillane, RD Fitzgerald, U Keating, P McGinnity, L Mirimin, TF Cross (2013) 'Rapid, economical single‐nucleotide polymorphism and microsatellite discovery based on de novo assembly of a reduced representation genome in a non‐model organism: a case study of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua'. J. Fish Biol, 82 (3):944-958 [Details]
	(2013)	'Phylogeographic structure of a protogynous hermaphrodite species, the ballan wrasse Labrus bergylta, in Ireland, Scotland, and Norway, using mitochondrial DNA sequence data' D'Arcy, J,Mirimin, L,FitzGerald, R (2013) 'Phylogeographic structure of a protogynous hermaphrodite species, the ballan wrasse Labrus bergylta, in Ireland, Scotland, and Norway, using mitochondrial DNA sequence data'. Ices Journal Of Marine Science, 70 :685-693 [DOI] [Details]
	(2012)	'Benchmarking Growth of Farmed Atlantic Cod, Gadus Morhua: A Case Study in Ireland' Bolton-Warberg, M; FitzGerald, R. D. (2012) 'Benchmarking Growth of Farmed Atlantic Cod, Gadus Morhua: A Case Study in Ireland'. Aquaculture Research, 43 (5):670-678 [Details]
	(2012)	'Embryonic development in ballan wrasse Labrus bergylta' D'Arcy, J,Dunaevskaya, E,Treasurer, JW,Ottesen, O,Maguire, J,Zhuravleva, N,Karlsen, A,Rebours, C,FitzGerald, RD (2012) 'Embryonic development in ballan wrasse Labrus bergylta'. Journal Of Fish Biology, 81 :1101-1110 [DOI] [Details]
	(2011)	'A quick, least-invasive, inexpensive and reliable method for sampling Gadus morhua postlarvae for genetic analysis' Mirimin, L,O'Keeffe, D,Ruggiero, A,Bolton-Warberg, M,Vartia, S,FitzGerald, R (2011) 'A quick, least-invasive, inexpensive and reliable method for sampling Gadus morhua postlarvae for genetic analysis'. Journal Of Fish Biology, 79 :801-805 [DOI] [Details]
	(2011)	'Molecular identification of laser-dissected gut contents from hatchery-reared larval cod, Gadus morhua: a new approach to diet analysis' Maloy, AP,Culloty, SC,Bolton-Warberg, M,Fitzgerald, R,Slater, JW (2011) 'Molecular identification of laser-dissected gut contents from hatchery-reared larval cod, Gadus morhua: a new approach to diet analysis'. Aquaculture Nutrition, 17 :536-541 [DOI] [Details]
	(2004)	'Distribution of α-tocopherol in fillets of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), following dietary α-tocopherol acetate supplementation' Ruff, N.; FitzGerald, R.D.; Cross, T.F.; Lynch, A.;Kerry, J.P (2004) 'Distribution of α-tocopherol in fillets of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), following dietary α-tocopherol acetate supplementation'. Aquaculture Nutrition, 10 (2):75-81 [Details]
	(2003)	'Age, growth and reproductive status of the European conger eel, Conger conger (L.) in Irish coastal waters' O’Sullivan, S., Moriarty, C., FitzGerald, R.D., Davenport, J. & Mulcahy, M.E (2003) 'Age, growth and reproductive status of the European conger eel, Conger conger (L.) in Irish coastal waters'. Fisheries Research, 64 (1):55-69 [Details]
	(2003)	'The effect of dietary vitamin E and C level on market-size turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) fillet quality' Ruff, N,Fitzgerald, RD,Cross, TF,Hamre, K,Kerry, JP (2003) 'The effect of dietary vitamin E and C level on market-size turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) fillet quality'. Aquaculture Nutrition, 9 :91-103 [Details]
	(2003)	'Shelf-life Evaluation of Modified Atmosphere and Vacuum Package Fillets of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), following dietary α-tocopherol acetate supplementation' Ruff, N., FitzGerald, R.D., Cross, T.F. & Kerry, J.P (2003) 'Shelf-life Evaluation of Modified Atmosphere and Vacuum Package Fillets of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), following dietary α-tocopherol acetate supplementation'. Journal Of Aquatic Food Product Technology, 12 (4):23-37 [Details]
	(2003)	'Environment affects stress in exercised turbot' Van Ham, EH,Van Anholt, RD,Kruitwagen, G,Imsland, AK,Foss, A,Sveinsbo, BO,FitzGerald, R,Parpoura, AC,Stefansson, SO,Bonga, SEW (2003) 'Environment affects stress in exercised turbot'. Comparative Biochemistry And Physiology A-Physiology, 136 :525-538 [DOI] [Details]
	(2002)	'Growth, feed utilization and growth heterogeneity in juvenile turbot Scophthalmus maximus (Rafinesque) under different photoperiod regimes' Stefansson, MO,FitzGerald, RD,Cross, TF (2002) 'Growth, feed utilization and growth heterogeneity in juvenile turbot Scophthalmus maximus (Rafinesque) under different photoperiod regimes'. Aquaculture Research, 33 :177-187 [Details]
	(2002)	'Slaughtering method and dietary α-tocopherol acetate supplementation affect rigor mortis and fillet shelf-life of turbot Scophthalmus maximus L' Ruff, N., FitzGerald, R.D., Cross, T.F., Teurtrie, G., Kerry, J.P (2002) 'Slaughtering method and dietary α-tocopherol acetate supplementation affect rigor mortis and fillet shelf-life of turbot Scophthalmus maximus L'. Aquaculture Research, 33 (9):703-714 [Details]
	(2002)	'Fillet shelf-life of Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus L. fed elevated levels of α-tocopherol acetate' Ruff, N., FitzGerald, R.D., Cross, T.F.,Kerry, J.P. (2002) 'Fillet shelf-life of Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus L. fed elevated levels of α-tocopherol acetate'. Aquaculture Research, 33 (13):1059-1071 [Details]
	(2002)	'The relationship between individual consumption and growth in juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maximus' Irwin, S., O’Halloran, J., FitzGerald, R.D. (2002) 'The relationship between individual consumption and growth in juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maximus'. Aquaculture, 204 (1-2):65-74 [Details]
	(2002)	'Mouth morphology and behavioural responses of cultured turbot towards food pellets of different sizes and moisture content' Irwin, S., O’Halloran, J., FitzGerald, R.D. (2002) 'Mouth morphology and behavioural responses of cultured turbot towards food pellets of different sizes and moisture content'. Aquaculture, 205 (1-2):77-88 [Details]
	(2002)	'Comparative composition and shelf-life of fillets of wild and cultured turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)' Ruff, N., FitzGerald, R.D., Cross, T.F., Kerry, J.P. (2002) 'Comparative composition and shelf-life of fillets of wild and cultured turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)'. Aquaculture International, 10 (3):241-256 [Details]
	(2002)	'The effect of temperature on non-specific defence parameters of three strains of juvenile Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)' Langston, AL,Hoare, R,Stefansson, M,Fitzgerald, R,Wergeland, H,Mulcahy, M (2002) 'The effect of temperature on non-specific defence parameters of three strains of juvenile Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)'. Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 12 :61-76 [DOI] [Details]
	(2002)	'The interrelation of growth and disease resistance of different populations of juvenile Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)' Imsland, AK,Jonassen, TM,Langston, A,Hoare, R,Wergeland, H,FitzGerald, R,Mulcahy, M,Stefansson, SO (2002) 'The interrelation of growth and disease resistance of different populations of juvenile Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)'. Aquaculture, 204 :167-177 [Details]
	(2002)	'Rainbow trout primary epidermal cell proliferation as an indicator of aquatic toxicity: an in vitro/in vivo exposure comparison' Kilemade, M,Lyons-Alcantara, M,Rose, T,Fitzgerald, R,Mothersill, C (2002) 'Rainbow trout primary epidermal cell proliferation as an indicator of aquatic toxicity: an in vitro/in vivo exposure comparison'. Aquatic Toxicology, 60 :43-59 [DOI] [Details]
	(2001)	'The interaction of temperature and salinity on growth and food conversion in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)' Imsland, AK,Foss, A,Gunnarsson, S,Berntssen, MHG,FitzGerald, R,Bonga, SW,Von Ham, E,Naevdal, C,Stefansson, SO (2001) 'The interaction of temperature and salinity on growth and food conversion in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)'. Aquaculture, 198 :353-367 [Details]
	(2000)	'Isolation and characterization of 11 microsatellite loci in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)' Coughlan, J,Stefansson, M,Galvin, P,Dillane, E,Fitzgerald, R,Cross, TF (2000) 'Isolation and characterization of 11 microsatellite loci in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)'. Molecular Ecology, 9 :822-824 [Details]
	(2000)	'Geographic variation in growth and food conversion efficiency of juvenile Atlantic halibut related to latitude' Jonassen, TM,Imsland, AK,Fitzgerald, R,Bonga, SW,Ham, EV,Naevdal, G,Stefansson, MO,Stefansson, SO (2000) 'Geographic variation in growth and food conversion efficiency of juvenile Atlantic halibut related to latitude'. Journal Of Fish Biology, 56 :279-294 [Details]
	(2000)	'The effect of different initial size distributions on the growth of Atlantic halibut' Stefansson, MO,Imsland, AK,Jenssen, MD,Jonassen, TM,Stefansson, SO,FitzGerald, R (2000) 'The effect of different initial size distributions on the growth of Atlantic halibut'. Journal Of Fish Biology, 56 :826-836 [Details]
	(1999)	'Stocking density, growth and growth variation in juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (Rafinesque)' Irwin, S., O’Halloran, J., FitzGerald, R.D (1999) 'Stocking density, growth and growth variation in juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (Rafinesque)'. Aquaculture, 178 (1-2):77-88 [Details]
	(1999)	'Adaptation and validation of a radioimmunoassay kit for measuring plasma cortisol in turbot' Irwin S, Kenny AP, O'Halloran J, FitzGerald R.D., Duggan PF (1999) 'Adaptation and validation of a radioimmunoassay kit for measuring plasma cortisol in turbot'. Comparative Biochemistry And Physiology C-Pharmacology Toxicology & Endocrinology, 124 (1):27-31 [Details]
	(1998)	'Stability of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin in raw and smoked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during frozen storage' Sheehan, EM,O'Connor, TP,Sheehy, PJA,Buckley, DJ,FitzGerald, R (1998) 'Stability of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin in raw and smoked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during frozen storage'. Food Chemistry, 63 :313-317 [Details]
	(1998)	'The production and use of copepods in larval rearing of halibut, turbot and cod' Støttrup J.G., Shields R., Gillespie M., Gara M.B., Sargent J.R., Bell J.G., Henderson R.J., Tocher D.R., Sutherland R., Naess T., Mangor Jensen A., Naas K., van der Meeren T., Harboe T., Sanchez F.J., Sorgeloos P., Dhert P.,FitzGerald R (1998) 'The production and use of copepods in larval rearing of halibut, turbot and cod'. Bulletin Of The Aquaculture Association Of Canada, 98 (4):41-46 [Details]
	(1998)	'Microsatellite DNA variation in wild populations and farmed strains of turbot from Ireland and Norway: a preliminary study' Coughlan, JP,Imsland, AK,Galvin, PT,Fitzgerald, RD,Naevdal, G,Cross, TF (1998) 'Microsatellite DNA variation in wild populations and farmed strains of turbot from Ireland and Norway: a preliminary study'. Journal Of Fish Biology, 52 :916-922 [Details]
	(1996)	'Effect of dietary fat intake on the quality of raw and smoked salmon' Sheehan, E.M., O’Connor, T.P., Sheehy, P.J.A., Buckley, D.J., FitzGerald, R. (1996) 'Effect of dietary fat intake on the quality of raw and smoked salmon'. Irish Journal Of Agricultural & Food Research, 35 (1):37-42 [Details]
	(1996)	'Four polymorphic microsatellites in turbot Scophthalmus maximus' Coughlan, J,McCarthy, E,McGregor, D,ODonoghue, P,Galvin, P,Fitzgerald, R,Daemen, E,Imsland, A,Stefansson, S,Cross, T (1996) 'Four polymorphic microsatellites in turbot Scophthalmus maximus'. Animal Genetics, 27 :441-441 [Details]
	(1983)	'Parasites of salmon, Salmo salar L, and Trout, Salmo trutta L, in the River Shournagh, Co Cork' FitzGerald, R.D., Mulcahy, M.F (1983) 'Parasites of salmon, Salmo salar L, and Trout, Salmo trutta L, in the River Shournagh, Co Cork'. Irish Fisheries Investigation Series, 23 :24-31 [Details]

Book Chapters

	Year	Publication
	(2002)	'Production II: From egg to market size: onrearing in freshwater and marine environments' FitzGerald, R., Stefansson, S.O., Garforth, D., Irwin, S. (2002) 'Production II: From egg to market size: onrearing in freshwater and marine environments' In: Handbook of Salmon Farming. Chichester UK: Praxis Publ. [Details]
	(1996)	'Determination of satiation and maintenance rations of Goldsinny wrasse fed on mussel meat' Garforth, D.B., Costello, M.J., FitzGerald, R.D., Cross, T.F (1996) 'Determination of satiation and maintenance rations of Goldsinny wrasse fed on mussel meat' In: Wrasse: Biology and use in Aquaculture. London, UK: Fishing News Books Ltd. [Details]
	(1995)	'Research on farmed turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in Ireland' FitzGerald, R.D., Flannigan, M., Brennan, C., Haraldsson, H., Clarke, J., Coughlan, J., Irwin, S., Roby, F., Ní Chara, U., Cross, T.F. (1995) 'Research on farmed turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in Ireland' In: Irish Marine Science. Galway, ireland: Galway University Press. [Details]

Published Reports

	Year	Publication
	(2010)	An Economic Assessment of Cod Farming in Ireland. FitzGerald, R. D., Bass, N., Casburn, P., Bolton-Warberg, M., Roche, L., Watson, L (2010) An Economic Assessment of Cod Farming in Ireland. NUIG, Galway. [Details]
	(1993)	Genetic aspects of spring run salmon. Rogan, E., Cross, T., O’Flynn, F., FitzGerald, R (1993) Genetic aspects of spring run salmon. National Rivers Authority, UK, National Rivers Authority, UK. [Details]

Other Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2012)	'EcoFish Project – Using Wrasse as Cleaner Fish in Salmon Farming' Ottesen, O. H.; Treasurer, J.; FitzGerald, R.; Maguire, J.; Rebours, C (2012) 'EcoFish Project – Using Wrasse as Cleaner Fish in Salmon Farming' Global Aquaculture Advocate, x (x) :x-x. [Details]
	(2009)	'Possible genetic interactions between reared strains and wild populations of cod (Gadus morhua): lessons from salmon (Salmo salar) common garden field experiments' Cross, T.F., McGinnity, P., Carlsson, J., Coughlan, J., Dillane, E., de Eyto, E., Ferguson, A., FitzGerald, R. & Prodöhl, P (2009) 'Possible genetic interactions between reared strains and wild populations of cod (Gadus morhua): lessons from salmon (Salmo salar) common garden field experiments' ICES CM 2009/Q: 10, . [Details]
	(2008)	'Ballan Wrasse Offer Efficient, Environmentally Friendly Sea Lice Control' Ottesen, O.H., Karlsen, A., Treasurer, J., FitzGerald, R., Maguire, J., Rebours, C. & Zhuravleva, N. (2008) 'Ballan Wrasse Offer Efficient, Environmentally Friendly Sea Lice Control' Global Aquaculture Advocate, . [Details]
	(2001)	'Microsatellite DNA variation in reared strains of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) compared with wild samples' Stefansson, M.Ö., Coughlan, J., FitzGerald, R., Cross, T.F. (2001) 'Microsatellite DNA variation in reared strains of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) compared with wild samples' ICES CM 2001/L, 16 :1-26. [Details]
	(1995)	'A national survey of Otter mortalities in Ireland. Proceedings VI International Otter Colloquium, Pietermaritzburg, 1993. (Eds S.C.Neuthets & D. Rowe-Rowe)' O’Sullivan, W.M., FitzGerald, R.D. (1995) 'A national survey of Otter mortalities in Ireland. Proceedings VI International Otter Colloquium, Pietermaritzburg, 1993. (Eds S.C.Neuthets & D. Rowe-Rowe)' Habitat, 11 :96-101. [Details]
	(1993)	'Predator damage to net caught angler fish (Lophius piscatorius and L. budegassa) off the south coast of Ireland' Collins, M.A., Crummey, C., Neal, D., FitzGerald, R.D. (1993) 'Predator damage to net caught angler fish (Lophius piscatorius and L. budegassa) off the south coast of Ireland' ICES 1993, . [Details]