A Quantitative Analysis of Prawn Harvesting Strategies. Prawn fisheries in NSW are undergoing major changes in their management. This unusual PhD project will design and test new decision-rules and strategies for fishery managers that are based upon pragmatic quantities of catch-per-unit-effort, prawn size, and river temperature and discharge. The performance of rules and strategies will be measured to ensure that they generate satisfactory outcomes for the prawn resources and the people that de ....A Quantitative Analysis of Prawn Harvesting Strategies. Prawn fisheries in NSW are undergoing major changes in their management. This unusual PhD project will design and test new decision-rules and strategies for fishery managers that are based upon pragmatic quantities of catch-per-unit-effort, prawn size, and river temperature and discharge. The performance of rules and strategies will be measured to ensure that they generate satisfactory outcomes for the prawn resources and the people that depend upon them. A major outcome will be precautionary or risk-averse decision-rules and strategies that are robust to the uncertainties that exist in prawn fisheries.Read moreRead less
The importance of edge effects in determining the value of seagrass landscapes as fish nurseries. Seagrasses are a conspicuous element of Australian marine environments, and are crucial in the conservation and maintenance of biodiversity. Degradation of seagrass ecosystems from climatic extremes, increased sediment and nutrients in the water, and other pollutants results in loss and fragmentation of meadows. These changes to seagrass are linked with increased coastal erosion, severe loss of bio ....The importance of edge effects in determining the value of seagrass landscapes as fish nurseries. Seagrasses are a conspicuous element of Australian marine environments, and are crucial in the conservation and maintenance of biodiversity. Degradation of seagrass ecosystems from climatic extremes, increased sediment and nutrients in the water, and other pollutants results in loss and fragmentation of meadows. These changes to seagrass are linked with increased coastal erosion, severe loss of biodiversity, and collapse of fisheries. Increased understanding of how biological processes such as predation and food availability influence animal associations with seagrasses, and how these effects change with landscape structure, will have important applications in the sustainable management of Australia's threatened coastal habitats.Read moreRead less
Marine Reserves as Fisheries Management Tools: A Long-term, Experimental Approach. Marine reserves, areas permanently closed to fishing, are potentially valuable fisheries management tools. Reserves may sustain fisheries external to them by containing undisturbed breeding stocks and becoming net exporters of adults and propagules. Our studies in the Philippines suggest that such benefits may only eventuate after 5-15 years of effective protection. This project will continue our long-term (17-25 ....Marine Reserves as Fisheries Management Tools: A Long-term, Experimental Approach. Marine reserves, areas permanently closed to fishing, are potentially valuable fisheries management tools. Reserves may sustain fisheries external to them by containing undisturbed breeding stocks and becoming net exporters of adults and propagules. Our studies in the Philippines suggest that such benefits may only eventuate after 5-15 years of effective protection. This project will continue our long-term (17-25 year) studies of abundance and yield at 3 established reserves, and use a replicated experiment at 3 new reserves, to test if reserves can enhance local fish biomass and catch. We will also compare effects of reserves in Australia and the Philippines.Read moreRead less
Ecological impacts of QX Oyster disease and its management strategies. QX disease is responsible for mass mortality of oysters, and, as a result, economic and job losses. QX disease also threatens ecosystem services provided by wild oysters, such as biodiversity enhancement and fish production. This project will provide estuarine managers with information about how proposed QX management solutions will impact wild oyster populations and vital ecosystem services. It will also contribute to traini ....Ecological impacts of QX Oyster disease and its management strategies. QX disease is responsible for mass mortality of oysters, and, as a result, economic and job losses. QX disease also threatens ecosystem services provided by wild oysters, such as biodiversity enhancement and fish production. This project will provide estuarine managers with information about how proposed QX management solutions will impact wild oyster populations and vital ecosystem services. It will also contribute to training of early career researchers in strategies to ensure the sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity. As QX outbreaks appear to be increasing, this research and training is urgently needed to underpin management to ensure long-term sustainability of valuable estuarine resources.Read moreRead less
Spatial ecology of inshore predators in tropical marine systems and implications of marine protection zones. Coastal development and threats of global climate change mean that coastal ecosystems are under increasing pressure. Developing an understanding of how coastal habitats are used by native fauna and how effective protected areas are in the preservation of these species is critical for future management and sustainable use of resources. This research will provide data for resource and fis ....Spatial ecology of inshore predators in tropical marine systems and implications of marine protection zones. Coastal development and threats of global climate change mean that coastal ecosystems are under increasing pressure. Developing an understanding of how coastal habitats are used by native fauna and how effective protected areas are in the preservation of these species is critical for future management and sustainable use of resources. This research will provide data for resource and fisheries managers that are valuable for maintenance of several sectors of the economy including tourism and commercial fishing (inshore fishing worth $23 m a year). The project is linked to a national telemetry network thus providing opportunity for national and international collaboration benefiting scientific, management and coastal communities.Read moreRead less