Fisheries Science and Management

Over 200 million people rely on fish for their livelihoods and fish is the key source of protein for billions worldwide. Our research examines the benefits from wild capture fisheries through fishery assessments, understanding the biology and ecology of target, byproduct and bycatch species, and animal health and environmental monitoring. Research in this area has focused on species such as: sharks (both fishery and bycatch/non target), coral trout, spanish mackerel, sawfish and stingrays.

Specialty expertise areas:

• Life history and ecology of target and by-catch species
• Spatial ecology of coastal and coral reef fishes, particularly sharks and rays
• Contribution of marine protected areas to managing and conserving mobile marine predators
• Ecology of estuaries and coastal wetland ecosystems, in particular nursery ground function
• Evolutionary and population genetics of aquatic species
• Seascape and population genomics,
• Threatened, endangered and protected species assessment

Analytical tools for acoustic monitoring studies

JCU researchers work closely with commercial, recreational, charter and indigenous fishers, and provide advice on management of fished resources to relevant management agencies locally, nationally and internationally. JCU staff hold key positions on national and international advisory panels and management bodies actively advising policy and management. JCU’s location provides for close links with world leading marine and fisheries research and management agencies, and with fishing industry groups. JCU staff hold key positions on national and international advisory panels and management bodies such as the IUCN Shark Specialist Group and government reference groups, actively advising policy and management.

This theme is led by Dr Reniel Cabral (reniel.cabral@jcu.edu.au).