Christophe Cleguer

Chris Clegueris a research scientist at the Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) and leader ofthe dugong research at James Cook University in Australia. Chris also acts as international advisor to the United Nations’ Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation and management of dugongs and their seagrass habitats throughout their range.

Chris has broad research interests in marine mammal population assessments, spatial ecology and conservation. His current research strongly focuses on the dugong (Dugong dugon). Dr Cleguer’s research team currently focuses on developping novel approaches to assess dugong abundance, health, distribution, behaviourand habitat use, using new technologies such as aerial imagery, drones, biologging, and AI.

Chris Cleguer is a strong advocate of research partnerships with First Nations communities. His work has led him to work with indigenous communities across many places in northern Australia, the Pacific-island region, and in south-east Asia. Chris also develops training programs to upskill indigenous land and sea rangers, local NGOs, and citizens to conduct their own monitoring studies. Chris also works very closely with members of state and federal governments in Australia and abroad to share the latest knowledge on dugong populations and ecology to inform management.

Dr Cleguer completed his MSc in biological sciences at the University of Auckland and his PhD in co-tutellebetween James Cook University and University of Pierre and Marie (and its research branch IRD in NEw Caledonia) in 2015. During his PhD, he used aerial surveys, GPS-Argos tracking and GIS tools to build an evidence base to enhance the conservation and management of dugongs in New Caledonia at a range of spatial and temporal scales. His PhD and post-PhD work enhanced the understanding of dugong ecology in coral reef ecosystems.After his PhD, Chris worked in Western Australia to develop methods using drones to map dugongs at the local scale, before returning to JCU in 2022.