Projects 4
Publications 13
Awards 0

Contact Details

Director: Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries & Aquaculture

Biography

Dr. Mark Cyrus is passionate about preserving the marine environment and its resources, particularly unlocking its’ potential for aquaculture development sustainably. Dr. Cyrus, is a macroalgal researcher at James Cook University (JCU), specializing in aquaculture and Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). He has extensive expertise in macroalgal cultivation, environmental sustainability, and aquaculture bioremediation, significantly contributing to the development of sustainable aquaculture practices. His research focuses on integrating seaweed with other marine species to enhance both productivity and environmental benefits. Other focus areas include research on new species development (particularly low tropic species), including the development of innovative culture technologies, including larval rearing techniques, system design, and nutritional research on the development of feeds and feed additives (probiotic and seaweed-supplemented diets).

Dr. Cyrus has a strong track record in interdisciplinary research, bridging marine biology, aquaculture technology, and ecological sustainability, and holds a B.Sc. (Botany), B.Sc. Honours (Ecology), and a Doctoral degree (PhD) in Biological Science (Aquaculture & Phycology) from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. 

Previously he was employed by the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Directorate: Aquaculture Research & Development based at the “Marine Research Aquarium” in Cape Town.

What is Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)?

Enhanced production of aquatic organisms (with or without terrestrial organisms) of two or more functional groups, that are trophically connected by demonstrated nutrient flows and whose biomass is fully or partially removed by harvesting to facilitate ecological balance.

Research

Research Interests

Improved sustainability of aquaculture systems

Low tropic species development for aquaculture production (particularly Echinoderms)

Innovative applications for macroalgae resources, particularly in Integrated Multi Tropic Aquaculture (IMTA)

Projects

Teaching

Taught Modules

2026
2026
2025
2025
2024

Current JCU Research Students

Synthesis and characterisation of sustainable plasticisers;;
Doctor of Philosophy (Natural and Physical Sciences)
Nutritional Factors Affecting Proper Bone Formation for Growth and Reduction of Deformities in Giant Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus)
Doctor of Philosophy (Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies)
Bioremediation of emerging contaminants using tropical macroalgae
Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering and Related Technologies)
The potential role of marine sponges in the regulation and removal of excess nutrients, microplastics and emerging contaminants: Applications in Aquaculture and beyond.
Doctor of Philosophy (Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies)

Current Honours and External Research Students

Cyropreservation of Asparagopsis taxifomis
RESEARCH_MASTERS- 2024
Effects of broodstock diet on T. gratilla gamete quality and larval energy reserves
RESEARCH_MASTERS- 2024

Activities

Education

Outreach

Output

de Jager, Kristin; Brink-Hull, Marissa; Bolton, John J.; Cyrus, Mark D.; Macey, Brett M. (2024) 'Bacterial microbiome dynamics in commercial integrated aquaculture systems growing Ulva in abalone effluent water'. Journal of Applied Phycology, 36 :2823-2849. [DOI]
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
De Vos, Bas C.; Cyrus, Mark D.; Bolton, John J.; Macey, Brett M. (2024) 'Effect of basket height and stocking density on production of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla: insights and recommendations'. Aquaculture International, 32 :4991-5016. [DOI]
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Lück-Vogel, Melanie; Bolton, John J.; Rothman, Mark D.; Bernatzeder, Andrea; Macey, Brett M.; Cyrus, Mark D.; Arendse, Dale C.Z.; Pillay, Parsuramen; Brown-Webb, Bernadette (2024) 'Considerations for kelp aquaculture on South Africa’s west coast: geospatial analysis and research implications'. Botanica Marina, 67 (5):543-559. [DOI]
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
De Vos, Bas C.; Cyrus, Mark D.; Macey, Brett M.; Batik, Theodore; Bolton, John J. (2023) 'Combining computer vision and standardised protocols for improved measurement of live sea urchins for research and industry'. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries, 3 (6):507-517. [DOI]
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Brink-Hull, M.; Cyrus, M.D.; Macey, B.M.; Rhode, C.; Hull, K.L.; Roodt-Wilding, R. (2022) 'Dietary effects on the reproductive performance of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla l: Implications for broodstock conditioning'. Aquaculture, 552 . [DOI]
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Brink-Hull, M.; Cyrus, M.D.; Macey, B.M.; Rhode, C.; Hull, K.L.; Roodt-Wilding, R. (2022) 'Dietary effects on the reproductive performance of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla ll: Implications for offspring performance'. Aquaculture, 553 . [DOI]
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Onomu, Abigail J.; Vine, Niall G.; Cyrus, Mark D.; Macey, Brett M.; Bolton, John J. (2020) 'The effect of fresh seaweed and a formulated diet supplemented with seaweed on the growth and gonad quality of the collector sea urchin, Tripneustes gratilla, under farm conditions'. Aquaculture Research, 51 (10):4087-4102. [DOI]
Journal Publication Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU
Cyrus, Mark D.; Bolton, John J.; Macey, Brett M. (2019) 'The use of stable isotope ratios δ 13 C and δ 15 N to track the incorporation of Ulva and other important dietary ingredients into the gonads of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla'. Aquaculture Nutrition, 26 (1):174-185. [DOI]
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Bolton, John J.; Cyrus, Mark; Brand, Morgan J.; Joubert, Michael; Macey, Brett M. (2016) 'Why grow Ulva? Its potential role in the future of aquaculture'. Perspectives in Phycology, 3 (3):113-120. [DOI]
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Cyrus, Mark; Bolton, John J.; Macey, Brett M. (2015) 'The role of the green seaweed Ulva as a dietary supplement for full life-cycle grow-out of Tripneustes gratilla'. Aquaculture, 446 :187-197. [DOI]
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Cyrus, M.D.; Bolton, J.J.; Scholtz, R.; Macey, B. (2014) 'The advantages of Ulva (Chlorophyta) as an additive in sea urchin formulated feeds: effects on palatability, consumption and digestibility'. Aquaculture Nutrition, 21 (5):578-591. [DOI]
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Cyrus, Mark D.; Bolton, John J.; De Wet, Lourens; Macey, Brett M. (2013) 'The development of a formulated feed containing Ulva (Chlorophyta) to promote rapid growth and enhanced production of high quality roe in the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla (Linnaeus)'. Aquaculture Research, 45 (1):159-176. [DOI]
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Cyrus, M.D.; Neil, R.C.; Condon, K.; Nankervis, L. (2026) 'Current status and future horizons in sustainable aquafeed certification and circular production practices' In: Cyrus, M.D., Neil, R.C., Condon, K., and Nankervis, L. (2026) Current status and future horizons in sustainable aquafeed certification and circular production practices. In: Murcia, Cristina, (ed.) Novel protein and lipid sources in animal nutrition. Brill, Leiden, The Netherlands, pp. 350-369(Eds.). Novel protein and lipid sources in animal nutrition. Leiden, The Netherlands : Brill. [DOI]
Book Chapter Open Access ResearchOnline@JCU