Innovation and technology in marine science: AIMS’ North West Shoals to Shore Research Program
Miles J. G. Parsons A B , Mark G. Meekan A , Karen J. Miller A , Michele Thums A and James P. Gilmour AA Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Level 3, The University of Western Australia, Fairway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: m.parsons@aims.gov.au
The APPEA Journal 58(2) 578-581 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ17234
Accepted: 20 March 2018 Published: 28 May 2018
Abstract
The North West Shoals to Shore Research Program began in July 2017 and encompasses four themes, each of which addresses major gaps in scientific knowledge relevant to the environmental management of the offshore petroleum industry in north-west Australia. The themes are:
1. Marine Noise Monitoring and Impacts: investigate selected potential impacts of exposure to a seismic survey on demersal fishes and infauna across different spatial and temporal scales.
2. Benthic Habitats and Demersal Biodiversity: understand physical and biological characteristics of the Ancient Coastline Key Ecological Feature (125 m) and the ecological processes that maintain benthic communities from the ancient to contemporary coastlines, focusing on the distribution and genetic connectivity of pearl oysters.
3. Protected and Iconic Species Movement, Distribution and Threats: determine biologically important areas for pygmy blue whales and hawksbill and green turtles. This will lead to better quantification and mitigation of the risks to megafauna posed by vessel movements, industrial infrastructure and activities.
4. Spatial Dynamics of Isolated Coral Reef Atolls: developing a bio-physical model for benthic and fish communities at the Rowley Shoals and an adaptive monitoring program that quantifies and predicts their spatial dynamics.
In this talk, we will discuss planning and progress of the program achieved to date, including innovative and technological approaches used to address scientific uncertainty currently faced by industry.
Keywords: connectivity, habitat modelling, key ecological feature, marine megafauna movement, marine noise, seismic source exposure.
Dr Miles Parsons attained his PhD at the Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, in 2010, where he remained as a Research Fellow until December 2017. He then joined AIMS as a Research Scientist, focusing on underwater acoustics and, in particular, the NWSS research program. |
Dr Mark Meekan is a Senior Principal Research Scientist at AIMS based in Perth, Western Australia. He is a fish ecologist with interests ranging from the early life history of reef fishes to the ecosystem role and function of elasmobranchs. Mark received his PhD from Griffith University and has since published over 200 papers in international journals, and he currently supervises postdoctoral fellows and PhD students working on shark and reef fish projects throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. |
Dr Karen Miller attained her PhD from James Cook University in 1995. Her career has focused on benthic ecology from the tropics to Antarctica, and has included positions with research institutes, universities and government agencies. In her present role with AIMS she leads a team of scientists undertaking research to underpin the Sustainable Use of North-West Marine Ecosystems program. This research includes developing a knowledge-base of offshore and coastal benthic ecosystems, establishing ecosystem status and the development and implementation of monitoring programs. |
Dr Michele Thums received her PhD from the School of Zoology, University of Tasmania in 2009. Her first postdoctoral research position was a joint position between the University of Western Australia Oceans Institute and AIMS during 2010–2013. Thereafter she has been employed as a Quantitative Ecologist in the Sustainable Use of North-West Marine Ecosystems program at AIMS. She is responsible for the development and application of models describing and predicting the movement and distribution of marine megafauna (e.g. marine mammals, sea turtles and sharks). |
Dr James Gilmour obtained his undergraduate degree at James Cook University, and his PhD at the University of Western Australia. He is currently a Research Scientist at AIMS. His research focuses on the ecology and long-term dynamics of coral reefs in north-western Australia. |
