Instar Ecology specialises in the survey of freshwater plants, animals and their habitat, including macrophytes, algae, macroinvertebrates, sewage fungus organisms and aquatic invasive non-native species (INNS). In the mid-1990s Pete became one of the first biologists in the country to become accredited in the identification of aquatic macrophyte and macroinvertebrate species (Natural History Museum IdQ's). He built on these skills as a specialist and team leader with the Environment Agency, where he developed management and technical expertise in areas such as INNS, freshwater botany, pollution investigations, report writing, training and mentoring and monitoring protected species including crayfish and eels. 

​

Pete has authored more than 20 scientific papers and advised and appeared in a variety of television and radio programmes on protected species. In 2008 he co-founded the South West Crayfish Project, representing the Environment Agency in a partnership undertaking the first programme of crayfish translocations in the country. He was an advisor with the Agency’s Evidence Directorate and a senior aquatic ecologist with Ricardo Energy & Environment. Now, through Instar, he continues to add to his experience of collaborative working across the environmental sector, delivering high quality surveys, projects and reports to agreed deadlines and budgets.