Marine Biology & Aquaculture
Mikaeylah Davidson
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- mikaeylah.davidson@jcu.edu.au
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
- Project Coordinator
- 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
Spatially integrated Portfolio Approach to support a portfolio of livelihoods. (Old ID 27105)
The Integrated Livelihoods Approach (ILA) provides an approach to diagnose and help navigate interrelated and cumulative impacts, trade-offs and co-benefits of interacting livelihood activities occurring in spatially defined coastal areas. Participatory and interdisciplinary research, integrated governance, negotiation, trust-building, ongoing conflict management, and cross-sectoral and political engagement are central to the ILA. This project will establish the mechanisms for achieving the strengthened networks, integrated governance and policy, and improved planning required to implement an ILA in Western Province, Solomon Islands, with the potential to scale-up to other locations.
Barratta Creek Biodiversity Fund (Old ID 20785)
Barratta Creek is one of the better condition creeks remaining on the Burdekin floodplain but its health is declining, due to the pressures of surrounding development and invasive weeks. This project will study the benefits to the health of the creek of controlling aquatic weeds that infest the system and improving water quality through the establishment of artificial wetlands to treat runoff from cane farms.
Tackling long-term food allergy among children to recurrent tropical allergens (Old ID 21737)
The aim of this research is to study the reactivity of allergens found in commonly consumed tropical foods by Australian children, for the development of improved allergy point-of-care diagnostic platforms for paediatric allergy in the tropics.
Coral Reef Health in the Coral Sea Marine Park (Old ID 24771)
A number of coral reefs occur in the Australian Marine Parks estate, particularly within the Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP). In 2016 and 2017, coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and CSMP were impacted by a mass global coral bleaching event. Regular surveys of coral bleaching and associated reef health in the CSMP are needed to inform future marine park management over the next three years to either enable comparisons against historical baselines where bleaching has previously occurred, or set new baselines for areas that aren’t bleached but may be in the future.
GBRF EOI Island Monitoring (Old ID 27698)
The more than 1000 islands and cays in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) World Heritage Area (GBRMPA spatial data, 2019) support a diverse range of ecological, cultural and economic values. Many are threatened by climate change, but monitoring and management is difficult as many cays are remote and difficult to access. This project will develop and implement an efficient drone-based hierarchical monitoring protocol based on the recognition and use of ‘natural ground control points’ that will enable more rapid and resource efficient capture of reef island status to inform management decisions.
SEAPRO - Seaweed Environmental Action for Pollution Reduction and Algae Protein Optimisation
Aquaculture plays a crucial role in ensuring global food security and fostering future job creation, especially given the rising global demand for seafood and the plateauing of capture fisheries. In Queensland, it significantly contributes to the bioeconomy, playing a pivotal role in food production and economic development. The industry's value in the region has reached $224.7 million, indicating a notable growth of 16.1% from 2021. While the aquaculture industry in Queensland heavily relies on two main species, prawns, and barramundi, which collectively contribute to 95% of the state's production. Currently within aquaculture there is a growing global recognition of another species group: Seaweed. Seaweed is gaining recognition not only as a sustainable food source but also for its remarkable capacity to function as bio-filters, extracting excess nutrients (N & P) from aquatic environments. This makes it a potentially valuable new aquaculture product while also enhancing the environmental sustainability and circularity of aquaculture operations. Integrated aquaculture technology is a key driver of this progress, enabling the coordinated and sustainable cultivation of multiple species. This technology can be integrated into both new and existing commercial operations both on land and at sea, thereby diversifying production within a single cultivation area. By incorporating algal biofilters, this technology efficiently removes excess nutrients and contaminants from farm effluent, transforming them into valuable co-products.
This project aims to strategically deploy seaweed aquaculture to eliminate nutrient pollution and simultaneously enhance the growth of the aquaculture and seaweed industry in the tropics. Focusing on Queensland's aquaculture industry, we aim to employ innovative technology developed by Blue Carbon Pty Ltd to convert excess nutrients into high-value food proteins (extracted from algae) developed by James Cook University, crucial for the growing alternative protein sector.
Preliminary work will determine which species of seaweed which are culturable within the IMTA systems will be most appropriate for use in the alternative protein sector, and will include both marine (Ulva ohnoi, Cladophora sp., Sargasum sp. Asparagopsis taxiformis, etc.) and freshwater species (Oedogonium sp.). The selected seaweed species will be analysed for the abundance and type of extracted proteins using biochemical process developed by the research team at James Cook University. This proof-of-concept project envisions a harmonious blend of technological innovation and sustainable aquaculture practices to produce sustainable proteins for the growing alternative protein food sector as well as animal feed.
The new protein products developed from seaweed will be economically viable and increase the circular product generation of the aquaculture industry, while helping to reduce negative effect on the environment both directly and indirectly. This innovative protein production is highly scalable through the implementation of IMTA technology within aquaculture operations and different types of seaweed can be identified for production in both tropical and tempered water of Australia. The introduction of Australia's Reef Credit Scheme further amplifies the benefits of such technology. Farms implementing integrated aquaculture technology not only contribute to sustainable farming and diversifying products but also standing to gain additional benefits through this innovative credit scheme.
Overall, these advancements have the potential to significantly improve the overall sustainability, environmental impact, and circularity of aquaculture operations. This investment promises not only environmental benefits but also positions Queensland as a key player in the evolving landscape of alternative protein production.
Small equipment grant for water quality monitoring multiparameter instrument
Purchase of a multiparameter water quality monitoring instrument to replace old and no longer fit-for-purpose instruments. The new instrument is required to fulfil the research outcomes of several current projects and will be necesssary for future projects. The projects' monitor and assess water quality across the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon and Gulf of Carpenataria and include CRC for Water Security for Northern Australia, NQBP Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Program, and Whitsundays Water Quality Blueprint for Tourism Operators. The projects are led by JCU and involve collaborations across JCU, other institutions, government, Traditional Owners, NGO's, citizen science.
Assessment of the sustainability of coral reef fisheries in Indoesia
By applying the model of global reef fish biomass data developed by Zamborain-Mason et. al. (2023), the research will estimate reference points on Indonesia's reef fish biomasses based on local environment covariates such as ocean productivity, sea surface temperature, atoll shape, and the distance between coral reefs and nearest market. Then, a comparison will be made on the current biomass status of coral reef fishes for each site with the reference points to assess the sustainability of the coral reef fisheries in Indonesia.
Dwarf Minke Whale Project
The Minke Whale Project MWP (based at James Cook University, North Queensland Australia) conducts multi-disciplinary research into dwarf minke whale biology and behaviour, the social and economic values of the whales and the sustainable management of swim-with-whales tourism. The MWP research team works collaboratively with the GBR swim-with-minke whales tourism industry, Reef managers and wildlife conservation NGOs. Our work is primarily funded by ongoing passenger donations and the generous in-kind support of the CHARROA tourism operators in the Northern Great Barrier Reef. Please visit http://minkewhaleproject.org/
Artificial intelligence-guided detection of tumour peptides for immunotherapy against therap y-resistant cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC)
North Queensland has the highest incidence of CSCC worldwide, which has a huge impact on the local population. With a high tumour mutational burden, CSCC is responsive to immunotherapy, however therapy-resistant CSCC presents a significant challenge. This project aims to detect and select tumour-specific peptides for immunotherapy in patients with therapy-resistant CSCC. The focus on tumour-specific peptides aims to ensure that these peptides are unique to tumour cells, thereby minimising the risk of triggering autoimmunity in treated patients. This innovative approach seeks to enhance the precision and safety of immunotherapies by targeting tumour-specific antigens.
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
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