Marine Biology & Aquaculture

Improved productivity and efficiency of the culture based fishery for giant freshwater prawn in Sri Lankan reservoirs. (Old ID 26163)
Clive Jones - Marine Biology & Aquaculture
18 Mar 2020 - 30 Nov 2025
Productivity of the fisheries resources of Sri Lankan reservoirs has been improved through application of culture based fishery (CFB) practices. In addition to a variety of finfish that serve to provide protein to local communities, the addition of stocked giant freshwater prawn (GFP)-Macrobrachium rosenbergii, has added significant value, due to high market price, 10 times higher than that of finfish. Currently, the GFP are captured as a bycatch to finfish and the stocking practices are ad-hoc, resulting in very low yield per seed prawn stocked. The fishery is managed as a single multi-species fishery, and although the project will focus on research of GFP, some aspects of the research will involve the entire fishery, particularly modelling of stocking and yields. This will provide benefits for production of all species, with an emphasis on enhancement of GFP production through specific research of stocking practices, production dynamics, harvest and socio-economic aspects 0of the fishery and the supply chain.
Mapping of tidal flats and salt marshes in the NOWPAP region. (Old ID 27039)
Nicholas Murray - Marine Biology & Aquaculture
21 Sep 2020 - 01 Aug 2021
The main objective of this activity is to map the distribution of tidal flats/salt marshes in the NOWPAP region with their historical change in the past decades. To map tidal flats/salt marshes in the NOWPAP region, mapping tool developed by Murray et al. (2019), namely Global Intertidal Change (hereinafter referred to as “GIC”) is used. GIC is the only available tool for regional mapping of tidal flats. However, GIC is developed for the global mapping and there are some limitation for the detection of tidal flats when used at regional scale. Therefore, this project will develop a bespoke regional model of the distribution of tidal flats/salt marshes in the NOWPAP region.
The impact of conservation NGO interventions on small-scale fishers (Old ID 27518)
Patrick Smallhorn-West - Marine Biology & Aquaculture
01 Feb 2022 - 31 Dec 2024
The objective of this post-doctoral position is to conduct a systematic review of NGO interventions to support Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) and to apply these findings to WCS’ programs. The position will be co-hosted between James Cook University, WorldFish, and the WCS Global Marine Conservation division.
Coastal restoration assessment and case studies to support the uptake of blue carbon. (Old ID 27611)
Nathan Waltham - Marine Biology & Aquaculture
20 Apr 2022 - 30 Jun 2022
Coastal wetlands are under threat from a range of past land use changes. Efforts to restore the value back into wetlands is underway in many places, and demonstrating the success of these efforts requires access to scientific data. This project will examine a range of restoration approaches and provide a summary matrix of learnings, land use tenure, and pathways to delivery. The outcomes of this project will be used in the preparation of case studies that will feature on the Land Restoration Fund Queensland Government website, so that future project proponents can use these to assist with preparing project funding grants.
Water resource development assessment in northern Australia. (Old ID 27758)
Nathan Waltham - Marine Biology & Aquaculture
01 Jun 2022 - 30 Aug 2024
This project investigates the potential for water resource development in several catchment areas in northern Australia. Specifically, we will provide technical expertise in estuarine habitat ecology analysis, modelling and provide regional context to analysis outcomes and scenario analysis. Working in a large multidisciplinary team, we will also attend workshops and assist the project team more broadly to deliver the final reports to the Australian Government.
Investigating trophic partitioning in planktivorous reef fishes (Old ID 26411)
Victor Huertas Martin - Marine Biology & Aquaculture
09 May 2019 - 08 May 2020
Plankton-feeding fishes are a major presence on coral reefs, and they are assumed to feed indiscriminately on plankton. Although research on herbivores and corallivores has revealed numerous distinct feeding behaviours and food p0references in these groups, planktivores continue to be perceived as generalists. This project will determine the breadth of planktivore diets using stable isotope analysis. This method can determine the abundance of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in fish tissues, allowing us to work out the origin of different types of plankton that each planktivorous fish eats. I expect this study will reveal a previously-undiscovered diet partitioning within planktivorous fishes.
Trait plasticity and the maintenance of functional diversity (Old ID 23341)
Tom Bridge - Marine Biology & Aquaculture
15 May 2018 - 31 Dec 2022
This project aims to determine if trait plasticity mediates functional degradation of coral reefs by using natural environmental gradients to identify mechanisms that enable corals to persist in marginal habitats. The project will use innovative 3D imaging to measure how intraspecific variability in traits influences functional redundancy, facilitating better predictions of the effects of environmental change on reef systems. Expected outcomes include improved understanding of the response of coral reef ecosystems to environmental change and a framework for predicting reefs at risk of functional degradation, providing benefits to both global biodiversity conservation and the provision of ecosystem services in reef dependent communities
Southern Expansion of Mackay-Whitsunday Ambient Marine Monitoring Program. (Old ID 23603)
Nathan Waltham - Marine Biology & Aquaculture
03 Jul 2017 - 31 Jul 2027
TropWATER will provide seagrass assessment and water quality logging/chemistry services to assist regional marine ambient monitoring program administered by Mackay Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership. These data will assist Mackay Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership with the preparation of a regional report card.
Pearls of wisdom - Breeding for increase tolerance to juvenile pearl oyster mortality syndrome (Old ID 23472)
Dean Jerry - Marine Biology & Aquaculture
01 Feb 2018 - 30 Jun 2021
A decade ago pearl farming was one of the major employers and contributors to the social-economic fabric of northern Australia, contributing $189.7 million farm-gate to the national economy. However, in recent years Australian pearl production has been severely impacted by episodic and large-scale mortality events by an as yet unidentified causative factor. These mortality events, termed juvenile pearl oyster mortality syndrome (or JPOMS), have resulted in massive write-downs in production and economic value of the industry. This project will develop the genetic knowledge and lay the foundation for a selective breeding program in pearl oysters that are resistance to JPOMS.
Centre of Research Excellence in Eradicating Food Allergy: Prevention, Cure and Reducing Adverse Events (Old ID 26614)
Ludwig Lopata - Marine Biology & Aquaculture
01 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2022
Funding is provided as a PHD Scholarship towards Mr Shaymaviswanathan to investigate the clinical cross-reactivity seen in patients with seafood allergy to dust mites and insects. Shellfish allergy affects 2% of Australians, and persists life-long in 80% of cases. Shellfish is now the leading cause for food-releated anaphylaxis fatalities among Australian adults. Clinical cross-reactivity between shellfish and mites and insects is frequently reported, however the implicated molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. This research project aims to identify and characterise the food and inhalant cross-reactive allergen repertoire and elucidate the shared IgE binding epitopes, utilising advanced bioinformatic approaches, immunochemcial and clincial tools.
Title: JCU reef scientist goes global after plumbing the depths, Townsville Bulletin
Reseracher: Gemma Galbraith (AIMS@JCU Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Reef Connectivity)
Start Date: 10 Nov 2024
Title: Deep dive: How I use robots to survey coral reefs, Nature
Reseracher: Gemma Galbraith (AIMS@JCU Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Reef Connectivity)
Start Date: 31 Mar 2025
Title: Wet Tropics Management Authority - Scientific Advisory Committee
Reseracher: Nathan Waltham (Associate Professor, Blue Carbon)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
Title: Aquaculture without Frontiers (AwF), Australia
Reseracher: Simon Das (Research Fellow - Grouper Nutrition)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
End Date: 01 Jan 2027
Title: Australian Coral Reef Society
Reseracher: Morgan Pratchett (Professor, Marine Biology & Aquaculture)
Title: International Coral Reef Society
Reseracher: Morgan Pratchett (Professor, Marine Biology & Aquaculture)
Title: BSc Ecology, University of Cape Town
Reseracher: Mark Cyrus (Senior Lecturer Aquaculture Macroalgae)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2004
End Date: 01 Jan 2006
Title: BSc Honours, University of Cape Town
Reseracher: Mark Cyrus (Senior Lecturer Aquaculture Macroalgae)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2007
End Date: 01 Jan 2007
Title: PhD, James Cook University
Reseracher: Leo Nankervis (Associate Professor, Aquaculture)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2002
End Date: 01 Jan 2005
Title: BSc(Hons), James Cook University
Reseracher: Leo Nankervis (Associate Professor, Aquaculture)
Start Date: 01 Jan 1996
End Date: 01 Jan 1999