Gemma Galbraith
- gemma.galbraith@jcu.edu.au
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9888-2918- AIMS@JCU Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Reef Connectivity
- Marine Biology & Aquaculture
Projects
6
Publications
27
Awards
8
Contact Details
AIMS@JCU Postdoctoral Fellow
- 0432164723
- gemma.galbraith@jcu.edu.au
Biography
My research interests span broad themes in fundamental ecology with specific interests in reef fish ecology, fisheries, connectivity, seamounts, biogeography and mesophotic coral ecosystems. I utilise new technologies like ROVs in combination with diver-based underwater visual census to study and monitor deep and shallow coral reef communities. I am also interested in applying high-resolution bathymetric data to global estimates of deep coral reef habitats and biophysical models of connectivity for reef taxa.
My previous and ongoing projects include ecological monitoring of reefs and islands of the inshore Great Barrier Reef, larval connectivity of reef fishes and the ecology of reef fishes on seamounts in Papua New Guinea, exploration and monitoring of mesophotic reefs in the Coral Sea Marine Park and the study of neotropical reef fishes on mesophotic seamounts in Panama and The Caribbean Lesser Antillies.
I am currently an AIMS@JCU Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Reef Connectivity. I also assist teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Marine Conservation Biology and supervise marine ecology HDR and Honors candidates.
Research
Research Interests
Coral Reef Ecology
Connectivity
Hydrodynamics
Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems
Reef Fish Ecology
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
Ecological Monitoring
Projects
Mesophotic Reefs of Montserrat
01 Apr 2024 - 31 Mar 2025
NESP 4.24 - Towards assessing the values of reefs in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria
01 Feb 2024 - 30 Sep 2025
Moore Reef Grounding Assessment (Coral Sea Marine Park) (Old ID 27905)
27 Jan 2023 - 29 Dec 2023
Coral Sea Bright Spot Reef Health and Resilience Survey – 2022-24 (Old ID 27830)
23 Nov 2022 - 31 Dec 2024
Research Data
Teaching
Teaching Interests
Marine Ecology
Coral Reef Fish ID
R and Data Science for Ecologists
Sampling and Experimental Design
Methods and Techniques in Coral Reef Fieldstudies
Research Advisor Accreditation
Advisor Type
Primary
Taught Modules
2023
2022
2023
Current JCU Research Students
Changing nature of reef fish herbivory with depth: from shallow to mesophotic coral ecosystems
Doctor of Philosophy (Natural and Physical Sciences)
Completed JCU Research Students
Phylogenomics of Antipatharia (Black Corals) and their role as Reef Ecosystem Engineers
Doctor of Philosophy (Natural and Physical Sciences)- 2025
Completed Honours and External Research Students
Temporal Patterns in Spawning and Early Growth of the Bar-Cheeked Coral Trout (Plectropomus maculatus), on the Southern Great Barrier Reef: Implications for Fisheries Management
HONOURS
Host distribution, size and habitat as determinants of population density and group size in a coral reef sea whip goby
HONOURS
Acoustic indicators of spatial and temporal variation in coral reef soundscapes
RESEARCH_MASTERS
Gorgonian spatial distributions, ecological interactions with fish assemblages and responses to their decline in health
RESEARCH_MASTERS
Influence of reef topography on scleractinian coral distribution across the mesophotic depth gradient.
RESEARCH_MASTERS
The Influence of Benthic Condition on the Foraging Patterns of Herbivorous Reef Fish
RESEARCH_MASTERS
Effects of a major cyclone on coral cover and the associated reef fish community in the Whitsunday Islands
UNDERGRADUATE_PROJECT
Activities
Media
Education
BSc (Hons), Durham University
2008 - 2011
MSc, The University of York
2011 - 2013
PhD, James Cook University
2017 - 2021
Outreach
Committees
Awards
Associations
The Explorers Club
2024
Employment
Doctoral Candidate, James Cook University
2017 - 2021
Senior Research Officer, James Cook University
2024 - 2025
Output
Hoey, A.S.; Galbraith, G.; Chandler, J.; Cresswell, B.; Huertas Martin, V.; McClure, E.C. (2024) The Jewel in the Coral Sea: The cultural and ecological
significance of Ashmore and Boot Reefs. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [DOI]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Hoey, A.S.; Burn, D.; Chandler, J.F.; Huertas Martin, V.; Cresswell, B.; Galbraith, G.; Martin, C.; McClure, E.C. (2024) Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs (Lord Howe Marine Park) Coral Reef Health Surveys: report on reef surveys February 2024. Townsville, QLD, Australia:
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Hoey, A.S.; Burn, D.; Chandler, J.F.; Huertas Martin, V.; Cresswell, B.J.; Galbraith, G.F.; Martin, C.; Barnett, A.; Faul, S.; Marzonie, M.; McClure, E. (2024) Coral Sea Marine Park Coral Reef Health Survey 2023-24. Townsville, QLD, Australia:
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Hoey, A.S.; Burn, D.; Chandler, J.F.; Huertas, V.; Cresswell, B.J.; Galbraith, G.F.; McClure, E.C. (2023) Coral Sea Marine Park Coral Reef Health Survey 2023. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report] [DOI]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Galbraith, G.; McClure, E.C.; Barnett, A.; Cresswell, B.; Burn, D.; Huertas Martin, V.; Pratchett, M.; Hoey, A. (2022) Diving into The Deep: The Unique Habitats of The Coral Sea Marine Park. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report] [DOI]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Hoey, A.S.; McClure, E.C.; Burn, D.; Chandler, J.F.; Huertas Martin, V.; Cresswell, B.; Galbraith, G.; Pratchett, M.S. (2022) Coral Sea Marine Park Coral Reef Health Survey 2022. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report] [DOI]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Hoey, A.S.; Harrison, H.; McClure, E.C.; Burn, D.; Barnett, A.; Cresswell, B.; Doll, P.C.; Galbraith, G.; Pratchett, M.S. (2021) Coral Sea Marine Park Coral Reef Health Survey 2021: Report on reef surveys February 2021. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report] [DOI]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Galbraith, Gemma Frances (2021) The ecology of fishes on submerged pinnacle coral reefs. [Thesis] [DOI]
Whitman, Taylor N.; Page, Cathie A.; Giuliano, Christine; Galbraith, Gemma F.; Hoogenboom, Mia O.; Negri, Andrew P.; Randall, Carly J. (2026) 'Effect of marine reserve status on coral seeding in the inshore Great Barrier Reef'. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 780 . [DOI]
Srinivasan, Maya; Galbraith, Gemma F.; Ceccarelli, Daniela; Cresswell, Benjamin J.; Strähl, Sina J.; Williamson, David H. (2026) 'Long-term effects of a severe tropical cyclone on coral reef habitat and fish assemblages at the Whitsunday Islands, central Great Barrier Reef'. PLoS ONE, 21 (2). [DOI]
Cresswell, B.J.; Galbraith, G.F.; Barnett, A.; Harrison, H.B.; Jones, G.P.; McClure, E.C.; Quimpo, T.J.R.; Hoey, A.S. (2025) 'Limited Evidence for Depth Specialism in Isolated Seamount Reef Predators'. Ecology and Evolution, 15 (9). [DOI]
Quimpo, Timothy Joseph R.; Galbraith, Gemma F.; Cresswell, Benjamin J.; Cabaitan, Patrick C.; Barnett, Adam; Hoey, Andrew S. (2025) 'Differential changes in the taxonomic and functional composition of herbivorous fishes from shallow to mesophotic coral ecosystems at the Coral Sea Marine Park, Australia'. Coral Reefs, 44 :1991-2009. [DOI]
Galbraith, G.F.; Cresswell, B.J.; Russell, M.; Hoey, A.S. (2025) 'First Observations of a Deep-Water Seagrass Meadow (Thalassodendron ciliatum) on an Oceanic Reef in the Southern Coral Sea Marine Park, Australia'. Ecology and Evolution, 15 (4). [DOI]
Gress, Erika; Bairos-Novak, Kevin R.; Bridge, Tom C.; Galbraith, Gemma F. (2025) 'Neglected Biodiversity of Fish Assemblages Associated With Antipatharia (Black Corals) on Tropical Shallow Reef Ecosystems'. Ecology and Evolution, 15 (8). [DOI]
Quimpo, Timothy Joseph R.; Galbraith, Gemma F.; Requilme, Jeremiah Noelle C.; Valencia, Brian B.; Cabaitan, Patrick C.; Hoey, Andrew S. (2025) 'Piscine browsing increases from shallow reefs to upper mesophotic coral habitats of the Bolinao-Anda Reef Complex, northwestern Philippines'. Marine Environmental Research, 212 . [DOI]
Tea, Yi Kai; Sih, Tiffany; Walsh, Fenton; Bennett, Timothy; Rocha, Luiz A.; Bardout, Ghislain; Hay, Amanda; Parkinson, Kerryn; Reader, Sally; Riley, Indiana J.; Pogonoski, John J.; Johnson, Jeffrey W.; Moore, Glenn I.; Gill, Anthony C.; Galbraith, Gemma F.; Cresswell, Benjamin J.; Hoey, Andrew S.; Frable, Benjamin W.; Brooke, Brendan P.; Beaman, Robin J. (2025) 'New records of fishes from the Coral Sea Marine Park, Australia'. Coral Reefs, 44 (4):1227-1273. [DOI]
Galbraith, G.F.; Cresswell, B.J.; McClure, E.C.; Hoey, A.S. (2024) 'Tropical seamounts as stepping-stones for coral reef fishes: range extensions and new regional distributions from mesophotic ecosystems in the Coral Sea, Australia'. Marine Biodiversity, 54 . [DOI]
Jenkins, Tess; Galbraith, Gemma; Srinivasan, Maya; Jones, Geoff (2024) 'Host distribution, size and habitat as determinants of population density and group size in a coral reef sea whip goby'. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 750 :153-165. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Gress, Erika; Bridge, Tom; Fyfe, Justin; Galbraith, Gemma (2023) 'Novel Interaction between a Rabbitfish and Black Corals'. Oceans, 4 :236-241. [DOI]
Pinheiro, Hudson T.; MacDonald, Chancey; Santos, Robson; Ali, Ramadhoine; Bobat, Ayesha; Cresswell, Benjamin J.; Francini-Filho, Ronaldo; Freitas, Rui; Galbraith, Gemma F.; Musembi, Peter; Phelps, Tyler A.; Quimbayo, Juan P.; Quiros, T.E. Angela L.; Shepherd, Bart; Stefanoudis, Paris V.; Talma, Sheena; Teixeira, João B.; Woodall, Lucy C.; Rocha, Luiz A. (2023) 'Plastic pollution on the world's coral reefs'. Nature, 619 (7969):311-316. [DOI]
Panero, Marta; Galbraith, G.F.; Srinivasan, M.; Jones, G.P. (2023) 'Roles of depth, current speed, and benthic cover in shaping gorgonian assemblages at the Palm Islands (Great Barrier Reef)'. Coral Reefs, 42 :1045-1057. [DOI]
Cresswell, B.J.; Galbraith, G.F.; Harrison, H.B.; McCormick, M.I.; Jones, G.P, (2023) 'Coral reef pinnacles act as ecological magnets for the abundance, diversity and biomass of predatory fishes'. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 717 :143-156. [DOI]
Harrison, H.B.; Drane, L.; Cresswell, B.J.; Evans, R.D.; Galbraith, G.F.; Srinivasan, M.; Taylor, B.M.; Williamson, D.H.; Jones, G.P. (2023) 'Ageing of juvenile coral grouper (Plectropomus maculatus) reveals year-round spawning and recruitment: implications for seasonal closures'. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B, Biological Sciences, 290 . [DOI]
Galbraith, Gemma F.; Cresswell, Benjamin J.; McCormick, Mark I.; Jones, Geoffrey P. (2023) 'Strong hydrodynamic drivers of coral reef fish biodiversity on submerged pinnacle coral reefs'. Limnology and Oceanography, 68 (11):2415-2430. [DOI]
Galbraith, Gemma F.; Cresswell, Benjamin J.; McCormick, Mark; Bridge, Thomas C.; Jones, Geoffrey P. (2022) 'Contrasting hydrodynamic regimes of submerged pinnacle and emergent coral reefs'. PLoS ONE, 17 (8). [DOI]
Galbraith, G.F.; Cresswell, B.; McCormick, M.I.; Bridge, T.C.; Jones, G.P. (2021) 'High diversity, abundance and distinct fish assemblages on submerged coral reef pinnacles compared to shallow emergent reefs'. Coral Reefs, 40 :335-354. [DOI]
Jones, Geoffrey P.; Srinivasan, Maya; Galbraith, Gemma F.; Berumen, Michael L.; Planes, Serge (2022) 'Saving Nemo: Extinction Risk, Conservation Status, and Effective Management Strategies for Anemonefishes' In: Jones, Geoffrey P., Srinivasan, Maya, Galbraith, Gemma F., Berumen, Michael L., and Planes, Serge (2022) Saving Nemo: Extinction Risk, Conservation Status, and Effective Management Strategies for Anemonefishes. In: Laudet, Vincent, and Ravasi, Timothy, (eds.) Evolution, Development and Ecology of Anemonefishes. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA, pp. 285-298(Eds.). Evolution, Development and Ecology of Anemonefishes. Boca Raton, FL, USA : CRC Press. [DOI]