Marine Biology & Aquaculture

Tom Lloyd

Tom Lloyd

Alys Young

Alys Young

William Arlidge

William Arlidge

Anna Wilson

Anna Wilson

Kelly Condon

Kelly Condon

Graeme Cumming

Graeme Cumming

Takahiro Shimada

Takahiro Shimada

Peter Doll

Peter Doll

Michela Mitchell

Michela Mitchell

Jan Strugnell

Jan Strugnell

Barramundi origins: determining the contribution of stocking to the barramundi catch on Queensland's east coast. (Old ID 26618)
Dean Jerry
09 Sep 2019 - 24 Dec 2021
Barramundi are stocked in impoundments, freshwater rivers and estuaries along the Queensland east coast and there is strong evidence that a substantial proportion of these fish find their way into estuarine and coastal environments. However, what this contribution actually is to the barramundi commercial fishery is unknown. Established methods for identifying the source of fish-genetics and otolith microchemistry-can be effective, but are costly. This project will evaluate near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) on otoliths as a rapid approach to identify if a barramundi is stocked or not.
Application of a machine learning approach for effective stock management of abalone (Old ID 26742)
Jan Strugnell
24 Jul 2020 - 31 Aug 2022
Determining the number and size distribution of abalone present at various stages of production is critical information for effective stock management. Currently the Australian abalone aquaculture industry spends in the order of $25,000 per annum, per farm, gathering this information by hand. However, the resulting data is of mediocre quality, is limited in its scope, and collecting the data causes stress to the animals which can compromise growth and survival. Automated counting and measuring of abalone will increase farm efficiency and productivity in the short term and, in the longer term, will provide an advanced platform for further R&D improvements. Artificial intelligence and machine learning has now matured to a point that accurately counting and measuring abalone is possible using this approach. This project would involve the development, training and validation of a machine learning model to identify, segment and measure quantitative abalone traits in production systems, and render the product data to be accessible and applicable for farmers.
Mapping Australia’s saltmarsh ecosystems for the blue carbon method (Old ID 27282)
Nicholas Murray
04 Jun 2021 - 03 Jun 2023
This project aims to progress our ability to develop nationwide, highly accurate maps of the distribution of saltmarsh ecosystems. Saltmarshes are important for maintaining biodiversity, nutrient removal, carbon sequestration and storm protection, but there is a severe lack of knowledge regarding their spatial distribution and change in Australia. This project will (i) develop a set of occurrence records that are suitable to deploy as training and validation data in a recently developed Landsat-based classification model of coastal ecosystems (Global Intertidal Change, by CI Murray), (ii) adapt the Global Intertidal Change model developed by CI Murray to Australia’s saltmarsh ecosystems and (iii) consult with a UNSW-based software engineer to port the Global Intertidal Change model to Australia’s national research infrastructure (Digital Earth Australia). Ultimately this work will underpin Australia’s first wall-to-wall to maps of saltmarsh ecosystems. Key benefits to the end-user include convening a community of coastal ecosystem experts to support a sustained national effort to map saltmarshes and compiling disparate information sources on saltmarsh distributions into a single national dataset.
Supporting grouper farming small holders in Vietnam to produce commercial feeds (Old ID 27286)
Leo Nankervis
01 Jul 2021 - 30 Jun 2023
Developing key nutrient requirements for giant grouper in Australia for application to Australia and Vietnam. The project is based at JCU Townsville, with engagement from key stakeholders in the aquafeed industry in Vietnam through development of an Expert Working Group for dissemination and input into future research. It is aimed at developing feeds for grouper that enable smallholders to transition from ‘trash’ fish feeding to commercially produced feeds and to support the industry in R&D dissemination, implementation and feed supply debottlenecking.
Maximising genetic growth potential of barramundi in different culture environments. (Old ID 22428)
Dean Jerry
11 Nov 2015 - 31 Dec 2017
Good Fortune Bay Fisheries (GFB) is Australia's largest farmed barramundi producer. GFB operates two farms, one located north of Bowen where barramundi are reared in a high density. Brackish water raceway culture system and the other in Kelso, where fish are reared in freshwater earthen ponds. The company holds the largest number of barramundi stock in the country and is Queensland's largest hatchery facility. Given a need to maintain domestic and international competitiveness GFB has identified genetic improvement of their stocks as the highest R&D priority for the company. Due to the unique culture systems they farm barramundi in, however, GFB recognise there are critical knowledge gaps that need to be overcome before they can produce an improved strain that maximises genetic gain under both culture environments (marine/freshwater & pond/raceway).
NESP 3.7 Barriers to Restoration and NbS (Old ID 28996)
Nathan Waltham
01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023
Coastal and marine restoration in Australia has been hindered by the ability for project managers to obtain approval. This project examines the barriers and challenges presenting project managers keen to begin restoration projects. The project will work through a series of case studies from SA, Tasmania, NSW and QLD focusing on oyster and tidal ingress project approaches. The outcomes of this research will outline areas in policy requiring changes and identify a consistent approach for project managers working in several states across Australia.
Incorporating genome editing into the aquaculture industry in Australia (Old ID 29013)
Dean Jerry
29 May 2023 - 29 May 2024
Professor Jehee Lee from Jeju International University, South Korea has agreed to allow me to visit his lab and receive extensive training in genome editing. He has successfully genetically edited numerous species of fish to optimise and select for commercial traits valuable to the aquaculture industry. Visiting with Professor Lee, as well as with other members of his lab, would allow me to gain the techniques and skills necessary to develop a general protocol applicable for a variety of aquaculture species.
Lobster Aquaculture Groote Eylandt Phase 1 (Old ID 26976)
Clive Jones
15 Aug 2020 - 30 Nov 2020
The project seeks to assess and develop tropical rock lobster aquaculture on Groote Eylandt. Phase 1 will quantitatively assess the local resource of naturally settling post-larval lobsters. If the seed lobsters are available, Phase 2 will comprise development of nursery and grow out of the lobsters. The project includes aspects of resource assessment, training, production technology extension, social science, economics and marketing.
Lobster Aquaculture Groote Eylandt Phase 1 (Old ID 27052)
Clive Jones
01 Nov 2020 - 30 Apr 2022
The project follows a preliminary activity completed in September 2020, seeking to assess and develop tropical rock lobster aquaculture on Groote Eylandt. This project represents Phase 1 of 3 phases, that will quantitatively assess the local resource of naturally settling post-larval lobsters. If the seed lobsters are available, Phase 2 will comprise development of nursery and Phase 3 the growout of the lobsters. The project includes aspects of resource assessment, training, production technology extension, social science, economics and marketing.
IUCN Maldives Ecosystems. (Old ID 27183)
Nicholas Murray
29 Mar 2021 - 16 Dec 2021
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Maldives requires an expert to assist in the development of an ecosystem classification scheme for the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of Maldives. This project will conduct the necessary research and leadership to develop a list of terrestrial and marine ecosystems for Maldives, building on considerable recent work to develop an international Global Ecosystem Typology. The outcomes will support conservation planning, natural resource management and environmental legislation development in the Maldives, and contribute new knowledge about the diversity and distribution of Maldive's ecosystems.

Coral bleaching, reef fish community phase shifts and the resilience of coral reefs

Regional-scale assembly rules and biodiversity of coral reefs

Confronting the coral reef crisis

Influence of age and moderate-intensity exercise training on heart rate variability in young and mature adults

Influence of intensive cycling training on heart rate variability during rest and exercise

Selection for faster growth in the freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor

Parentage determination of Kuruma prawn shrimp Penaeus (Marsupenaeus) japonicus using microsatellite markers

Phylogenetic relationships of Australian members of the family Percichthyidae inferred from mitochondrial 12S rRNA sequence data

Phylogeography of the freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor Clark (Parastacidae) in inland Australia: historical fragmentation and recent range expansion

Larval growth history determines juvenile growth and survival in a tropical marine fish

Title: JCU-Australia Research Committee
Reseracher: Ludwig Lopata (Professor, Personal Chair)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2020
End Date: 01 Jan 2022
Title: Researchers boost crucial fish industry, JCU Media and Communications
Reseracher: Simon Das (Research Fellow - Grouper Nutrition)
Start Date: 14 Mar 2025