Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101141
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,000.00
Summary
Critical regions and network connectivity of coral reef ecosystems. This project aims to measure the degree of connectivity between isolated reefs in Australia's Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef and identify the biological and environmental mechanisms that enhance management strategies or mitigate against disturbances. The movement of individuals in fragmented landscapes plays a central role in the ecology and evolution of species. The project seeks to measure connectivity at multiple scales ....Critical regions and network connectivity of coral reef ecosystems. This project aims to measure the degree of connectivity between isolated reefs in Australia's Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef and identify the biological and environmental mechanisms that enhance management strategies or mitigate against disturbances. The movement of individuals in fragmented landscapes plays a central role in the ecology and evolution of species. The project seeks to measure connectivity at multiple scales and identify critical regions for the design of networks of marine protected areas. This is anticipated to improve our understanding of connectivity in marine seascapes and benefit management of important fishery species and current efforts in coral reef conservation.Read moreRead less
Using larval connectivity to inform marine reserve network designs in the Coral Triangle. Networks of no-take marine reserves are considered critical tools to ensure conservation and food security targets in the Coral Triangle Region, just north of Australia. More than 1400 community-managed marine reserves have been established in the Philippines, the most populace part of the Coral Triangle. The local conservation and fisheries benefits of these reserves have been well documented. A need now e ....Using larval connectivity to inform marine reserve network designs in the Coral Triangle. Networks of no-take marine reserves are considered critical tools to ensure conservation and food security targets in the Coral Triangle Region, just north of Australia. More than 1400 community-managed marine reserves have been established in the Philippines, the most populace part of the Coral Triangle. The local conservation and fisheries benefits of these reserves have been well documented. A need now exists to convert these individual reserves into operational reserve networks. This project proposes to use new information on larval connectivity, biodiversity and human usage patterns, and local governance networks, to systematically improve the design of an existing Philippine reserve network. Read moreRead less
Do marine reserve networks work? Larval connectivity, sustainable harvesting and ecological resilience. The Great Barrier Reef is a globally iconic marine ecosystem and benefits from the world's largest network of no-take reserves. While we know reserves contain more and bigger fish, several key questions about how reserves contribute to sustainable harvesting, protecting biodiversity and resisting climate change remain unanswered. Answers depend on a new understanding of the degree to which fis ....Do marine reserve networks work? Larval connectivity, sustainable harvesting and ecological resilience. The Great Barrier Reef is a globally iconic marine ecosystem and benefits from the world's largest network of no-take reserves. While we know reserves contain more and bigger fish, several key questions about how reserves contribute to sustainable harvesting, protecting biodiversity and resisting climate change remain unanswered. Answers depend on a new understanding of the degree to which fish population on different reefs are connected, and whether or not reserve networks help sustain these linkages. This project will use new technologies to measure the transport of fish larvae between reefs, to assess strengths and weaknesses of the reserve network, and examine ways to improve species protection and sustainable harvesting in a changing climate.Read moreRead less
Understanding the stock-recruitment relationship to reverse the decline in the southern rock lobster. Declines in southern rock lobster fisheries across three Australian states show that we need to understand the flow and survival of larvae. The project aims to identify the fundamental links between recruitment and spawning stock, to enable predictions of recruitment for the management of adult stocks, safeguarding the future of the fishery.
Developing solutions to marine mammal interactions with long-line fisheries. Developing solutions to marine mammal interactions with long-line fisheries. This project aims to use innovative techniques to determine aspects of natural marine mammal behaviour that can be exploited, in conjunction with optimal fishing vessel operations, to minimise their interactions with commercial fisheries. Marine mammal interactions with commercial fisheries are a growing worldwide issue with both ecological (in ....Developing solutions to marine mammal interactions with long-line fisheries. Developing solutions to marine mammal interactions with long-line fisheries. This project aims to use innovative techniques to determine aspects of natural marine mammal behaviour that can be exploited, in conjunction with optimal fishing vessel operations, to minimise their interactions with commercial fisheries. Marine mammal interactions with commercial fisheries are a growing worldwide issue with both ecological (incidental bycatch and increased dependence on fisheries) and economic consequences (annual losses of tens of millions of dollars to the fishing industry). Successful solutions to reduce these interactions have remained elusive. Outcomes from this research are expected to be applicable worldwide, have substantial economic and ecological benefits, and ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry.Read moreRead less
Environmental DNA: Integration of new methods to enhance marine management. Environmental DNA: Integration of new methods to enhance marine management. This project aims to develop new environmental DNA (eDNA)-based methods of managing humanity’s impact on valuable marine resources. eDNA preserved in seawater provides a lens to study and monitor marine biota and ecosystems. This project will work with fisheries managers and the environmental consulting sector, and focus on sites in the Kimberley ....Environmental DNA: Integration of new methods to enhance marine management. Environmental DNA: Integration of new methods to enhance marine management. This project aims to develop new environmental DNA (eDNA)-based methods of managing humanity’s impact on valuable marine resources. eDNA preserved in seawater provides a lens to study and monitor marine biota and ecosystems. This project will work with fisheries managers and the environmental consulting sector, and focus on sites in the Kimberley, Cocos-Keeling Islands, Fremantle and Deep-sea oil/gas sites to demonstrate the value of eDNA methods in best-practice monitoring. A multi-proxy toolkit (including eDNA) that can audit and baseline marine biota could make balancing conservation and sustainable exploitation achievable. Anticipated outcomes are improved management and monitoring of fisheries, ports and offshore oil/gas sites.Read moreRead less
Trojan Y as a genetic solution for controlling and eradicating the Eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki. The project aims to develop applied genetic strategies to eradicate Gambusia, a serious invasive pest fish species, from a Tasmanian estuary. The goal is to advance the Trojan Y chromosome model from theory to an applied solution. The project aims to employ an integrated ecological, physiological, behavioural, genetic and genomics approach, within the unique island-within-an-island status ....Trojan Y as a genetic solution for controlling and eradicating the Eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki. The project aims to develop applied genetic strategies to eradicate Gambusia, a serious invasive pest fish species, from a Tasmanian estuary. The goal is to advance the Trojan Y chromosome model from theory to an applied solution. The project aims to employ an integrated ecological, physiological, behavioural, genetic and genomics approach, within the unique island-within-an-island status of Gambusia infestation in Tasmania.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100059
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
Dual frequency identification SONAR (DIDSON) facility for sampling benthic and pelagic fish populations. Many Australians enjoy marine and freshwater resources, and we are exploiting fisheries and waterways in particular at an increasing rate. Effective management of fisheries requires understanding the abundance and behavior of fish. This facility will provide novel acoustic video technology for researchers to count fishes and sharks near weirs, under wharves or logs, and within seagrass beds. ....Dual frequency identification SONAR (DIDSON) facility for sampling benthic and pelagic fish populations. Many Australians enjoy marine and freshwater resources, and we are exploiting fisheries and waterways in particular at an increasing rate. Effective management of fisheries requires understanding the abundance and behavior of fish. This facility will provide novel acoustic video technology for researchers to count fishes and sharks near weirs, under wharves or logs, and within seagrass beds. The dual frequency identification sonar (DIDSON) will also allow accurate and standardised study of fish movements in response to floods, algal blooms or re-stocking events without disturbing the fish or their habitats. This will enhance our understanding of the top-down control by fish of aquatic ecosystems that are directly adjacent to human activity.Read moreRead less
Movement, migration and social networks in wild shark populations. Sharks are vital components of marine ecosystems and contribute significantly to ecotourism and fisheries. Due to their slow rate of growth and reproduction, sharks are susceptible to over exploitation. A lack of knowledge regarding their behaviour and movement patterns is a key impediment to effective management. This project aims to examine social interactions and migration patterns of Port Jackson sharks using a unique combina ....Movement, migration and social networks in wild shark populations. Sharks are vital components of marine ecosystems and contribute significantly to ecotourism and fisheries. Due to their slow rate of growth and reproduction, sharks are susceptible to over exploitation. A lack of knowledge regarding their behaviour and movement patterns is a key impediment to effective management. This project aims to examine social interactions and migration patterns of Port Jackson sharks using a unique combination of genetic techniques, novel acoustic tag technology, behavioural manipulations and modern social network analysis. Once verified, the approach developed can be applied to other marine predators of particular management concern. The data generated will directly inform fisheries and conservation management policy.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100007
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,000.00
Summary
A fisheries and oceanographic observing system for the continental shelf. This project aims to create a floating, mobile fisheries and oceanographic observing system for Eastern Australia. Australian oceanographic and fisheries research has been hampered by the lack of appropriately sized and equipped research vessels required to investigate continental shelf waters and beyond. The automated floating facility will provide data to support ongoing ARC-funded research programs in marine biogeochemi ....A fisheries and oceanographic observing system for the continental shelf. This project aims to create a floating, mobile fisheries and oceanographic observing system for Eastern Australia. Australian oceanographic and fisheries research has been hampered by the lack of appropriately sized and equipped research vessels required to investigate continental shelf waters and beyond. The automated floating facility will provide data to support ongoing ARC-funded research programs in marine biogeochemistry, climate change, ocean acidification, coastal hydrology, biological oceanography, active acoustics, and fisheries resources and technology in the continental shelf and beyond. The expected outcome will bridge a major gap in fisheries and oceanographic research capacity to make observations in a critical region of the Australian marine estate and provide a stronger scientific basis for early detection of changes in seawater chemistry, biology and fisheries in priority waters experiencing rapid change.Read moreRead less