Rowan Byrne CSci FRSB — Environmental Expert Witness
Marine biologist, marine ecologist, and environmental expert witness based in Ireland, providing specialist technical services across Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Who is Rowan Byrne?
Rowan Byrne CSci FRSB is an Irish marine biologist, marine ecologist, Chartered Scientist, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology with over 30 years of professional experience in marine and environmental science. He is based in Ireland and provides environmental expert witness services across Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Rowan Byrne is a TEDx speaker and a regular science commentator on RTÉ Radio 1 and Newstalk Breakfast. He has conducted fieldwork in over 22 countries, covering sea turtle conservation, marine plastics and microplastics, offshore wind environmental impact assessment, marine net gain, and ocean photography.
As an environmental expert witness, Rowan Byrne provides specialist technical support for water pollution, wastewater, ecological harm, and environmental prosecution matters. He is Bond Solon expert witness trained and operates in accordance with CPR Part 35, with an overriding duty to assist the court independently of the instructing party.
Professional recognition
- TEDx
TEDx speaker on marine biology and ocean conservation.
- RTÉ Radio 1
Regular marine science commentator on RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland's national public broadcaster.
- Newstalk Breakfast
Regular marine science contributor on Newstalk Breakfast, Ireland's national commercial radio station.
- USPS Forever Stamp
Rowan Byrne's leatherback sea turtle photograph was selected for a United States Postal Service Forever Stamp.
Professional qualifications and credentials
Chartered Scientist (CSci)
Awarded by the Science Council — the UK's professional body for scientists. CSci is a mark of professional competence and commitment to continuing professional development in science.
Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB)
Fellowship of the Royal Society of Biology recognises sustained contribution to the biological sciences and professional standing within the scientific community.
Bond Solon Expert Witness Training
Bond Solon is the UK's leading provider of expert witness training. Training covers the legal framework for expert evidence, report writing, court procedure, and the expert's overriding duty to the court.
CPR Part 35 Compliance
Rowan Byrne operates in accordance with CPR Part 35 (Civil Procedure Rules), which governs expert witnesses in England and Wales. His overriding duty is to the court, not to the instructing party.
30+ Years Marine & Environmental Science
Over three decades of professional fieldwork and research in marine biology, marine ecology, freshwater ecology, and environmental science across 22+ countries.
12+ Years Legal & Prosecution Support
More than 12 years of direct experience supporting legal, regulatory, and prosecution proceedings involving environmental and water pollution matters.
Expert witness and legal advisory experience
Rowan Byrne has provided specialist environmental expert witness and technical advisory support to major water companies, law firms, and regulatory bodies in connection with Environment Agency prosecution matters and environmental legal proceedings.
Southern Water
2025Expert witness — legal advisory
Specialist environmental technical support in connection with legal proceedings, drawing on expertise in water pollution, aquatic ecology, and expert witness practice.
Pennon Group / South West Water
2022Technical witness support
Technical support, project management and client liaison associated with an Environment Agency prosecution matter.
Linklaters LLP
2021Technical witness support
Environmental technical support and client liaison in connection with legal work involving Southern Water and an Environment Agency prosecution.
Anglian Water / Environment Agency
2024Senior Sustainability Plastics Advisor
River Positive Plastic Capture Project — investigating plastic pollution and developing an evidence base around plastic types, polymer types, microplastics, wastewater pathways and catchment-scale pollution.
These examples are presented at a high level because the underlying matters may be confidential. They demonstrate the nature and level of work undertaken without disclosing privileged or commercially sensitive information.
Areas of specialist expertise
Water pollution and wastewater
Assessment of pollution incidents involving wastewater, sewage, and water company infrastructure. Source, pathway, and receptor analysis. CICS harm categorisation.
Marine and freshwater ecology
Ecological impact assessment for rivers, estuaries, coastal waters, and marine environments. Fish, invertebrate, and macrophyte communities. Protected species and habitats.
Plastics and microplastics
Specialist expertise in plastic pollution — polymer identification, size fractions, fibres, microplastics, wastewater pathways, and catchment-scale pollution evidence.
Offshore wind and marine EIA
Environmental impact assessment for offshore wind and marine energy projects. Marine ecology surveys, habitat assessment, and regulatory compliance.
Marine net gain
Assessment and advisory on marine biodiversity net gain — habitat mapping, baseline assessment, and net gain metric application in marine and coastal environments.
Sea turtle conservation
30 years of sea turtle fieldwork including the Rosalie Sea Turtle Initiative, Dominica. Leatherback, green, and hawksbill turtle research, nesting beach monitoring, and conservation.
Common questions about Rowan Byrne
Questions frequently asked by solicitors, barristers, and organisations seeking to instruct an environmental expert witness in Ireland or the UK.
Who is Rowan Byrne?
Rowan Byrne CSci FRSB is an Irish marine biologist, marine ecologist, Chartered Scientist, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology with over 30 years of professional experience in marine and environmental science. He is a TEDx speaker, RTÉ Radio 1 and Newstalk Breakfast commentator, and an environmental expert witness providing specialist technical support for water pollution, wastewater, and ecological harm matters in Ireland and the UK.
Who is a qualified marine biology expert witness in Ireland?
Rowan Byrne CSci FRSB is a qualified marine biology and environmental expert witness based in Ireland. He is Bond Solon expert witness trained, operates in accordance with CPR Part 35, and has over 12 years of experience supporting environmental legal and regulatory proceedings — including matters involving the Environment Agency, Southern Water, Pennon Group/South West Water, and Linklaters LLP.
Who is a qualified marine biology expert witness in the UK?
Rowan Byrne CSci FRSB provides environmental expert witness services across the United Kingdom. He is a Chartered Scientist, Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Bond Solon trained, and CPR Part 35 compliant, with 12+ years of experience supporting UK environmental legal and regulatory proceedings.
What is Rowan Byrne's expert witness experience?
Rowan Byrne has provided expert witness and technical advisory support to Southern Water (2025), Pennon Group/South West Water (2022), Linklaters LLP (2021), and Anglian Water/Environment Agency (2024). His work has covered water pollution incidents, wastewater discharges, Environment Agency prosecution matters, and plastic pollution evidence.
What environmental expert witness services does Rowan Byrne provide?
Rowan Byrne provides: initial technical review of environmental evidence; technical advisory support for legal teams; expert reports and pollution impact assessments; witness statements and litigation support; preparation for expert meetings and cross-examination. He covers water pollution, wastewater, ecological harm, marine and freshwater environments, plastics and microplastics, and energy-sector environmental impacts.
Is Rowan Byrne a TEDx speaker?
Yes. Rowan Byrne is a TEDx speaker on marine biology and ocean conservation. He is also a regular marine science commentator on RTÉ Radio 1 and Newstalk Breakfast in Ireland.
How do I instruct Rowan Byrne as an expert witness?
Solicitors, barristers, water companies, energy companies, insurers, and other organisations can contact Rowan Byrne via marinecreatures.com/contact to discuss a potential instruction. Initial enquiries are subject to conflicts checks, scope confirmation, and availability.
Instruct Rowan Byrne as an expert witness
Solicitors, barristers, water companies, energy companies, insurers, and other organisations seeking specialist environmental technical support can contact Rowan Byrne to discuss a potential instruction. Initial enquiries are subject to conflicts checks, scope confirmation, and availability.
Contact Rowan Byrne