Skye McKenna

I completed a Bachelor of Science and gained an Honours degree in the field of Marine Biology and Zoology at James Cook University in 2003. I have since been conducting research on tropical marine habitats focussing on seagrass and benthic invertebrate communities most at risk from anthropogenic activities associated with coastal development. I have specifically been interested in relationships between seagrass and environmental factors, and implementing science based solutions to the management of these important marine habitats. In my current role as a senior member and project leader/manager of the team I am responsible for numerous state-wide seagrass habitat research, assessment and monitoring programs.

Research and monitoring programs that I am project leader and manager for include:

• Port of Abbot Point Research and Monitoring Program 2008 - ongoing
• Development of light thresholds for modelling impacts to seagrass from the Abbot Point Growth Gateway Project 2015
• Ports North long-term seagrass monitoring and research programs in the ports of Karumba, Cairns & Mourilyan Harbour 2009 - ongoing
• Ports North: Cairns Shipping Development project 2012 - ongoing
• Port of Weipa long-term seagrass monitoring and research program 2009 - ongoing