Marine Biology & Aquaculture
Tom Lloyd
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Global Ecosystems
- tom.lloyd@jcu.edu.au
Alys Young
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Global Ecosystems
- alys.young@jcu.edu.au
William Arlidge
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Community-Based Fisheries Co-Management
- william.arlidge@jcu.edu.au
Anna Wilson
- Senior Research Worker
- anna.wilson@jcu.edu.au
Kelly Condon
- Senior Lecturer, Aquaculture (Aquatic Animal Health)
- kelly.condon@jcu.edu.au
Graeme Cumming
- Adjunct Professor
- graeme.cumming@jcu.edu.au
Takahiro Shimada
- Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
- takahiro.shimada@jcu.edu.au
Peter Doll
- Research Fellow, Coral Reef Health Assessments
- peter.doll@jcu.edu.au
Michela Mitchell
- Casual Research Assistant
- michela.mitchell@jcu.edu.au
Jan Strugnell
- Professor, Promotional Chair
- jan.strugnell@jcu.edu.au
Town Common Wetland Restoraiton NQDT
Nathan Waltham
21 Nov 2024 - 30 Mar 2026
Working with NQ Dry Tropics, undertake wetland monitoring and research to investigate restoration efforts and success at Town Common Townsville.
Town Common Wetland Restoraiton NQDT
Nathan Waltham
21 Nov 2024 - 30 Mar 2026
Working with NQ Dry Tropics, undertake wetland monitoring and research to investigate restoration efforts and success at Town Common Townsville.
Identifying new allergens in shellfish for better diagnosis and immunotherapy
Ludwig Lopata
01 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2026
This project aims to identify novel allergens in shellfish to improve diagnostic methods and develop immunotherapeutic strategies for shellfish allergy management. By exploring unreported allergens in blue swimmer crab and their allergenicity, this research seeks to advance healthcare solutions for allergic individuals worldwide.
Addressing key technical bottlenecks in the grouper supply chain in Vietnam (and Australia) through manufactured feed and hatchery developments that aim to improve SME sector profitability
Rachel Neil
24 Apr 2024 - 24 Oct 2027
This project aims to address bottlenecks in the aquaculture grouper supply chain in Vietnam and Australia by researching nutritional constraints, commercial feed adoption, and factors affecting the supply of high-quality eggs, larvae, and juveniles.
The Vietnamese grouper industry, which produces over 10,000 tonnes of grouper, is the most profitable sector of marine aquaculture in Vietnam. However, the use of 'trash fish' as feed can lead to pollution and suboptimal health outcomes.
The Australian grouper industry is limited by a lack of specific grouper feeds, but one company has recently used limited nutrient requirement data into a commercial feed. The Vietnam industry faces limitations in the availability of commercial-level volumes of high-quality fingerlings, as the 3 regionally located Research Institutes for Aquaculture (RIAs) provide limited fingerling supply services.
Understanding nutritional limitations at the hatchery and grow-out stages of grouper production is crucial for debottlenecking the sustainable expansion of grouper farming, facilitating profitability for Vietnamese smallholders and transitioning to small and medium enterprises.
The development of an appropriate formulated feed is also crucial for the growth of grouper farming. Disease is likely the largest threat to the growth of grouper farming, but the development and widespread implementation of formulated feed will reduce this risk and increase the potential for industry growth.
Circular economy and feed management approaches for inclusive and sustainable development of marine aquaculture in Vietnam
Rachel Neil
01 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2026
Marine fish farming in Vietnam traditionally relies on low-value wild-caught fish as feed; however, this feeding approach is inefficiently utilized. It also leads to environmental pollution, and faces significant challenges such as diminishing supply and the risk of disease transfer. In contrast, manufactured feed pellets offer a more efficient and less polluting alternative, although they necessitate a different feeding approach. Feed pellets present a versatile nutrient delivery method in fish farming that can be adapted to various ingredient inputs. By incorporating byproducts from aquaculture and other industries into fish feeds, a circular economy approach can be developed to recycle nutrients within the value chain. This approach transforms waste into valuable fish protein, generating smallholder profits instead of contributing to pollution.
The objective of this project is to reduce the environmental impact of marine fish farming in Vietnam by optimizing feeding protocols and training farmers to use feed more efficiently. Through capacity-building, knowledge transfer, and inclusive participation, this project will empower local coastal communities in the sustainable development of marine aquaculture. Additionally, the reduction in feed costs, the largest expense, will enhance the livelihoods of the family groups that constitute the majority in this sector. Collaboration with feed companies and farmers will be instrumental in fostering feed improvements for circular economy approaches and feed efficiency. Additionally, technological advancements will be employed to better manage fish feeding behaviour, thereby reducing waste and minimizing the cost of feed resources.
Understanding specificity and flexibility in coral symbioses
Mia Hoogenboom
01 Jul 2024 - 30 Jun 2027
Coral health is underpinned by complex interactions between the host animal and its symbiotic partners, probably the most important of which are the photosynthetic alga. The interactions of reef-building corals with their photosymbionts are thought to be highly specific, but as yet the bases of this specificity and the nature of the dialogue that must occur during the establishment of a mutualistic relationship are unclear. By making use of model systems and recent advances in DNA sequencing technology, this study seeks to understand these molecular interactions, specifically in the context of some unique features on both sides of the interaction.
Novel methods for crown-of-thorns starfish management to contain emerging outbreaks in the Lizard Island region
Peter Doll
15 Jan 2025 - 31 Mar 2026
Population irruptions of crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS) are a major cause of coral mortality on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), contributing to ongoing reef degradation. There is, therefore, a concerted effort to manage CoTS on the GBR, but established surveillance and culling activities are largely ineffective for dealing with relatively low densities of CoTS. This project will pioneer novel culling methods to contain emerging population outbreaks of CoTS in the Lizard Island region. This research will not only directly contribute to improved management of the GBR, but will be conducted alongside existing CoTS management programs to maximize application and uptake of proposed methods.
Development of a culture based fishery for giant freshwater prawn in Sri Lankan reservoirs (Old ID 23638)
Clive Jones
01 Oct 2017 - 30 Sep 2019
Giant freshwater prawn (GFWP) - Macrobrachium rosenbergii is a high value aquaculture species suited to culture-based fishery stocking into reservoirs in Sri Lanka. The project will develop a science based stocking strategy of hatchery reared juvenile prawns, to improve the yields of GFWP in reservoirs and design and use of fishing gear that will prevent damage to the animals. Socio-economic research will lead to a better understanding of the value chain to enable further improvements to the fishery. The research will ensure the fishery is profitable, efficient and sustainable in the long term. The research is part of an ACIAR Small Research Activity (SRA) that will form the basis of a larger, full four year project to follow on in 2019.
Macroalgal removal for reef restoration (Old ID 26442)
Hillary Smith
14 Oct 2019 - 13 Oct 2020
This project investigates the potential for restoration of reef ecosystems around Magnetic Island. It aims to remove macroalgae at varying frequencies and monitor changes in coral recruitment to develop best practices for the large-scale implementation of the technique to restore coral reefs impacted by macroalgal phase shifts. This grant is to support the project funded by Earthwatch Australia by increasing funds for field work.
The Science of Seafood: STEM Pathways through Aquaculture
Jarrod Guppy
03 Apr 2025 - 03 Apr 2026
To support the growth of Northern Australia’s Aquaculture industry, which will require between 1400 and 2300 new STEM-skilled staff by 2030 (CRCNA No.A.1.2021014 Report), this project will engage high school students in a series of interactive workshops designed to showcase aquaculture and highlight its range of attractive STEM career pathways. The workshops will be offered in key regional hubs of Queensland for aquaculture and economic development, including Cairns, Rockhampton, Whitsundays, and Townsville. Workshops will be structured as interactive, hands-on sessions at schools, designed to balance theoretical learning with practical application. The project goals are to raise awareness of aquaculture among the next generation and inspire students to pursue studies and careers in the field.
Coral bleaching, reef fish community phase shifts and the resilience of coral reefs
- 2006
- Blackwell Publishing
- Researchers:David BellwoodAndrew Hoey
Regional-scale assembly rules and biodiversity of coral reefs
- 2001
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Researchers:David BellwoodTerry Hughes
Confronting the coral reef crisis
- 2004
- Nature Publishing Group
- Researchers:David BellwoodTerry Hughes
Influence of age and moderate-intensity exercise training on heart rate variability in young and mature adults
- 2003
- Human Kinetics
- Researchers:Anthony LeichtAndrew Hoey
Influence of intensive cycling training on heart rate variability during rest and exercise
- 2003
- NRC Reserch Press
- Researchers:Anthony LeichtAndrew Hoey
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