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
Project 5.4 – Innovations To Support Crown-Of-Thorns Starfish Control and the Resilience of the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) faces increasing threats from climate-induced mass bleaching, cyclones, and Crown-Of-Thorns Starfish (COTS). To maximise the GBR’s capacity to respond to these threats, it is vital to maintain coral cover and target management actions at the locations that best support the resilience of the GBR.
Of the major threats to the GBR, only COTS can currently be directly managed. Australia’s COTS control program has already acted to reduce coral mortality at over 450 reefs. This project will develop innovations that increase the efficiency of COTS control, enabling protection of more reefs and more coral.
To maximise the resilience of the GBR, we must target protection to networks of reefs that can function together to rapidly recover from disturbance. This project will build our understanding of the factors and locations that support the resilience of the GBR.
The research will be closely partnered to deliver directly to research-users in the COTS Control Program and the Reef Authority. The innovations developed will progress the adaptive management of the resilience of Australia’s marine ecosystems.
IkanAdapt - Securing Timor-Leste’s Fisheries for Sustainability and Ecological Resilience
JCU's Centre for Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture is to be engaged by WorldFISH under the auspices of the Global Environment Fund (GEF) program 'IKANAdapt' for Timor-Leste. The overarching goal is to enable Timor-Leste stakeholders in evidence-based decisions towards the sustainable use and conservation of coastal and aquatic resources. JCU's work is two-fold. Part 1 will undertake coastal biodiversity assessment and conservation plans for 2-3 provinces, with a focus on coastal and aquatic habitats, inclusive of action plans for 3 endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species and at least 1 wetland. Part 2 will develop and deliver a co-management training program for provincial level government officers in the Ministry of Fisheries. It will include a capacity evaluation of stakeholders, contextualised co-management curriculum, delivery of pilot-workshops in priority district's and a proposal for scaling out.
IkanAdapt - Securing Timor-Leste’s Fisheries for Sustainability and Ecological Resilience
JCU's Centre for Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture is to be engaged by WorldFISH under the auspices of the Global Environment Fund (GEF) program 'IKANAdapt' for Timor-Leste. The overarching goal is to enable Timor-Leste stakeholders in evidence-based decisions towards the sustainable use and conservation of coastal and aquatic resources. JCU's work is two-fold. Part 1 will undertake coastal biodiversity assessment and conservation plans for 2-3 provinces, with a focus on coastal and aquatic habitats, inclusive of action plans for 3 endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species and at least 1 wetland. Part 2 will develop and deliver a co-management training program for provincial level government officers in the Ministry of Fisheries. It will include a capacity evaluation of stakeholders, contextualised co-management curriculum, delivery of pilot-workshops in priority district's and a proposal for scaling out.
IkanAdapt - Securing Timor-Leste’s Fisheries for Sustainability and Ecological Resilience
JCU's Centre for Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture is to be engaged by WorldFISH under the auspices of the Global Environment Fund (GEF) program 'IKANAdapt' for Timor-Leste. The overarching goal is to enable Timor-Leste stakeholders in evidence-based decisions towards the sustainable use and conservation of coastal and aquatic resources. JCU's work is two-fold. Part 1 will undertake coastal biodiversity assessment and conservation plans for 2-3 provinces, with a focus on coastal and aquatic habitats, inclusive of action plans for 3 endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species and at least 1 wetland. Part 2 will develop and deliver a co-management training program for provincial level government officers in the Ministry of Fisheries. It will include a capacity evaluation of stakeholders, contextualised co-management curriculum, delivery of pilot-workshops in priority district's and a proposal for scaling out.
Living Water RUIC: Crayfeed
The redclaw crayfish industry is positioned for growth since the hatchery supply has recently been debottlenecked. This project will address the next major bottleneck in feed supply. We have demonstrated on a lab-scale that there is a large scope for production improvement with improved nutrition, however this knowledge needs to be developed in the context of implementation.
This project will scope the existing feed supply and engage with the manufacturer around their capacity and limitations in production of improved redclaw feed. This will form the basis of further research design that will inform implementable changes to improve redclaw production.
Living Water RUIC: Crayfeed
The redclaw crayfish industry is positioned for growth since the hatchery supply has recently been debottlenecked. This project will address the next major bottleneck in feed supply. We have demonstrated on a lab-scale that there is a large scope for production improvement with improved nutrition, however this knowledge needs to be developed in the context of implementation.
This project will scope the existing feed supply and engage with the manufacturer around their capacity and limitations in production of improved redclaw feed. This will form the basis of further research design that will inform implementable changes to improve redclaw production.
Living Water RUIC: Crayfeed
The redclaw crayfish industry is positioned for growth since the hatchery supply has recently been debottlenecked. This project will address the next major bottleneck in feed supply. We have demonstrated on a lab-scale that there is a large scope for production improvement with improved nutrition, however this knowledge needs to be developed in the context of implementation.
This project will scope the existing feed supply and engage with the manufacturer around their capacity and limitations in production of improved redclaw feed. This will form the basis of further research design that will inform implementable changes to improve redclaw production.
Protection, Restoration and Management of Seagrass and Saltmarsh Ecosystems of India
This project is about restoration, protection and management of seagrass and saltmarsh ecosystems from the coast of Odisha, India. Within the project GIS based mapping, field work for collection of sediment and plant samples, data analysis and reporting writing would be included. Consequently, restoration activities are also planned for both seagrass and saltmarsh ecosystems in India.
Upscaling oyster reef and mangrove restoration in GBR catchments
This project builds on successful, community-driven habitat restoration initiatives that will contribute to improved ecological health and biodiversity in Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchments.
The project will deliver a multi-habitat project that will restore oyster reefs and mangrove wetlands, resulting in improved structural habitat complexity and biodiversity at the restoration sites. The project will be implemented through a series of coordinated, community-led activities across several key locations.
The Project will focus on 3 key themes:
1. Community Engagement: Engaging local communities directly in habitat restoration activities, fostering a sense of ownership and stewardship.
2. Educational Programs: Providing educational opportunities to raise awareness about the importance of marine habitats and biodiversity.
3. Volunteer Training: Training new volunteers to participate in restoration activities, including monitoring and maintenance.
Services required
As per the project application:
Support for project monitoring and maintenance activities, including flora and fauna surveys and assistance with water quality monitoring.
Deliverables for this project for James Cook University (TropWATER) are:
1. Program Design and Site Prioritisation – Attend and contribute to monthly project working group meetings. Contribute technical expertise to key discussions (as required) on prioritisation of restoration sites, restoration methods and Development Approval requirements for restoration works.
2. Stakeholder Meetings – Attend and (where relevant) facilitate key stakeholder meetings with potential project partners, including Port of Gladstone, North QLD Bulk Ports and others.
3. Environmental Monitoring 01 – Prepare an environmental monitoring program, that contains detailed information on methods and timing of data collection for flora, fauna and water quality. Monitoring will include (but is not limited to) surveys of restoration sites to assess oyster recruitment, density and growth of mangrove propagules, biodiversity assessments of fish and invertebrate communities and water quality assessments.
4. Environmental Monitoring 02 – Complete of a minimum of one monitoring event (including flora, fauna and water quality surveys) at each prioritised restoration site each quarter (every three months), starting in July 2025 to December 2027. Results are to be presented to OzFish in the form of technical summary reports prior to payment of each of Milestones 2 – 5 (see Schedule 1).
5. Project Promotion – Work with OzFish Unlimited and Reef Catchments’ project delivery and communications teams to promote project events, delivery and outcomes.
6. Final Project Report – Produce a summary technical report, detailing the findings from flora and fauna surveys, as well as water quality data. Due Date – 25 February 2028
Deliverables may be adjusted pending the initial scope of works discussions, and development of the monitoring program, with both parties (JCU and OzFish) to agree and sign any new deliverables.
In preparing this funding grant, discussions with JCU staff agreed to include a proportion of the budget to award a PhD research scholoship as part of an Industry/JCU scholarship. Provision has been made in the budget for 50% contribution through this project towards the PhD scholarship, under the provision that JCU will contribute 50% towards the PhD scholarship ($65,000, ex GST). This PhD Scholarship expands the ability to complete the research component of this project – value adding to the overall project objectives. Should JCU not support a 50% industry scholarship contribution, than the funding allocated will be consolidated into the total contract amount for JCU staff to use to complete the project.
Immunomodulatory vaccines in the treatment of peanut allergy (Old ID 27579)
Peanut allergy is the most common cause of food-induced anaphylactic reactions in Australia and is a major burden to our healthcare system. Current clinical practice advice dietary avoidance to prevent fatal anaphylactic responses. We propose the use of an immunomodulatory vaccine to re-write the immune response to peanut antigens, from an allergic to a tolerant phenotype. This study will provide novel insights into rational approaches for manipulating immune memory to food allergens.
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