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
Enhancing Groundwater Discharge Detection for Improved Water Quality Research and Coastal Management
Nathan Waltham
01 Aug 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
The funds will be used to purchase equipment that will allow cutting-edge multidisciplinary research linking hydrology, soil sciences and water quality to support several academics at JCU.
Deciphering the molecular and environmental determinants of sex-change in barramundi (Old ID 20663)
Ludwig Lopata
19 Nov 2013 - 31 Dec 2017
Barramundi breeding programs to boost productivity and international competitiveness are hindered by a lack of reproductive control. Barramundi change sex from male to emale at 3-5 years of age, requiring hatcheries to maintain male broodstock for several years before they can be bred as females. This increases required infrastructure and decreases the rate of genetic improvement that can be achieved. This project will elucidate genetic mechanisms regulating barramundi sex change and will develop approaches allowing hatcheries to efficiently control broodstock sex. The ability to obtain reproductive control
Predicting food allergy through early diagnosis of molecular cross-reactivity in house dust mite sensitised children (Old ID 21977)
Ludwig Lopata
14 Feb 2015 - 30 Jun 2017
House dust mite allergy is highly prevalent worldwide, with over 20% of the general population being affected. Of this affected population, 5% are vulnerable to sensitisation to cross-reactive allergens in consumed shellfish, which can develop into a life-long food allergy. This may lead to the unexpected event of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions in dust mite allergic children upon exposure to shellfish. Current diagnostic methods such as skin prick tests and in vitro specific IgE tests are not accurate in the identification of allergen-specific IgE cross-reactivity, which would provide an early indication of cross-sensitisation. The outcomes of the proposed research will aid in developing novel in vitro IgE diagnostic approaches, allowing for the differential quantification of specific IgE to cross-reactive pan-allergens found in house dust mites and consumed shellfish species. The significance of this research is in the development of a predictive model, enabling the early detection of risks factors for developing food allergy to shellfish in dust mite allergic children, thereby leading to the improved management of this severe clinical condition.
Modelling the net growth of coral reefs under climate change: the neglected role of bio-eroding sponges (Old ID 21423)
Mia Hoogenboom
01 Jan 2014 - 31 Dec 2017
The project will investigate the hypothesis that under climate change, sponges will erode coral reefs at a faster rate than corals can form reefs. If true, sponge bioerosion may make it more difficult for corals to sustain reefs under climate change. The project will use controlled experiments to determine how sponge reproduction and fitness are affected by predicted climate change conditions. These data will then be used to develop models to predict sponge fitness, sponge-coral competition, reef erosion patterns, and overall reef resilience under climate change scenarios.
Identification and Restoration of Intertidal Fish Nursery Habitat in the Baffle Catchment (Old ID 22982)
Nathan Waltham
01 Feb 2017 - 31 Mar 2019
This project aims to identify high intertidal fish nursery habitat pools in the Baffle Drainage Basin (BDB), assess their value to fish, evaluate the current state of their functionality, prioritise pools for restoration and identify viable restoration solutions. By involving local stakeholders, local government, regional NRM and State Government scientists and managers, a network of users will gain an understanding of how these habitats function and can be restored, based upon this baseline research.
Recovery of the Great Barrier Reef. (Old ID 26455)
Hillary Smith
29 Apr 2019 - 28 Jun 2022
This project investigates the potential for restoration of reef ecosystems around Magnetic Island. Linked with Earthwatch Australia, it is a citizen science-based project that engages volunteers to help remove macroalgae and monitor changes in coral recruitment, sediment dynamics, community composition, algae regrowth rates, and coral biology, with the hopes that removal of algae leads to an increase in coral cover. The project is an extension of a previous project which accumulated 7 years of base line data on demographic recovery dynamics of corals at Orpheus Island.
Functional connectivity in pinnacle-reef mesopredator fishes: ecological considerations for fisheries management (Old ID 25132)
Gemma Galbraith
01 Jan 2019 - 31 Dec 2021
This project aims to determine habitat use and residency patterns in key coral reef mesopredatory fishes large carnivores, themselves subject to predation). The study will take place in Kimbe Bay, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea, a location identified by the Nature Conservancy as critical for preserving marine biodiversity in the Coral Triangle. Acoustic telemetry (underwater radio receivers) will be used to investigate three important species and the study will provide critical information about how these organisms utilise a range of habitats in the region. Project findings should prove invaluable for future conservation and sustainability planning for the region.
Determinig the abundance of microplastics on nearshore reefs (Old ID 23379)
Mia Hoogenboom
01 May 2017 - 30 Jun 2018
The overarching aim of my PhD is to quantify plastic pollution coming from north Queensland communities, and how this may influence the GBRWHA. In this proposal, my objective is to identify an indicator speies that can be used to determine the presence and extend of plastic pollution on nearshore reefs. The proposed project will focus on sponges and soft corals because they are non-selective suspension feeding organisms, and likely candidates as natural 'indicators' of plastic presence in the environment. By quantifying microplastics ingested by organisms, this project also aims to illuminate the potential impacts of mircroplastics to benthic reef species.
Dissolved oxygen as a constraint for fish utilising mangrove forests. (Old ID 22654)
Nathan Waltham
23 Feb 2016 - 22 Feb 2019
This project focuses on understanding how dissolved oxygen (DO) impacts mangrove fish utilisation. In heavily vegetated habitats like mangroves, DO undergoes complex changes brought about by biogeochemical demand. The extent of DO depletion depends on many environmental parameters such as tide, time or day or human activities. Substantial DO depletion could limit the value of mangroves as habitats for fish. Consequently, I aim to: (i) develop an understanding of DO dynamics in mangrove forests; (ii) identify environmental parameters that drive these fluctuations; (iii) investigate how depressed DO impacts fish assemblages and behaviour; and (iv) establish DO thresholds for five fish species occupying mangroves.
Expanding Traditional Owner led seagrass monitoring and restoration in the Girringun TUMRA
Nathan Waltham
14 Feb 2024 - 01 Aug 2025
Girringun elders and rangers have discussed the emerging Australian blue carbon market and are interested to learn more about what it means for Girringun clans and the health of their country. While progress has been made to include blue carbon in international and national policy and finance mechanisms, the full integration of coastal management activities as part of a climate mitigation strategy has not yet been realised. Estimates of organic carbon storage by seagrass meadows considering inter-habitat variability are essential to understand their potential to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) and derive robust global and regional estimates of blue carbon storage. Girringun Aboriginal Corporation sees this project as an opportunity to investigate the potential to improve the health of our coast, trial new technology to map seagrass/ blue carbon habitat, estimate carbon value in sea country, increase ranger skills, and learn more about carbon storage in the TUMRA region and how emissions can be reduced in sea country.
The project is designed to use a two-way knowledge approach, incorporating Indigenous knowledge (IK) and western science and technology in the Girringun TUMRA. Through this project GAC aims to continue their collaboration with JCU and CDU and form a new partnership with UQ. GAC have chosen these university partners due to their scientific expertise in seagrass and carbon research and experience working with Traditional Owners and Indigenous Ranger groups. This project includes Traditional Owners for six coastal clan groups in the Girringun TUMRA.
Functional innovations and morphological diversification in parrotfish
- 2010
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:David Bellwood
Variability in mesophotic coral reef communities along the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- 2011
- Inter-Research
- Researchers:Tom BridgeRob Beaman
Start Date:
10 Nov 2024
Start Date:
31 Mar 2025
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
End Date:
01 Jan 2027
Start Date:
01 Jan 2004
End Date:
01 Jan 2006
Start Date:
01 Jan 2007
End Date:
01 Jan 2007
Title:
PhD, James Cook University
Start Date:
01 Jan 2002
End Date:
01 Jan 2005
Start Date:
01 Jan 1996
End Date:
01 Jan 1999