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Reminder: Robson and Robertson Awards
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The Robson and Robertson Awards 2020 are now open!
Up to $15,000 Grants are available to PhD and Masters by Research students to boost marine research.
Keen to apply but still working on your research proposal? You are still eligible for this Award! Funds cannot be released until after a Research Proposal is approved, but students are welcome to apply before this step is achieved.This Award is open to all Higher Degree Research Students undertaking a marine research
A free Science Communication Workshop delivered by Dr Heather Bray (Lecturer, Science Communication, UWA) is available to all applicants. This workshop runs on 24 September and will equip applicants with science storytelling, verbal presentation and science writing skills.
Email tina.zhang@uwa.edu.au to find out more or to enrol.
Please note: Successful applicants may be invited to speak at the Robson and Roberson Award Night on 8 October.
Download the Application Package below for more details and to apply.
Any other questions? Please email oceans@uwa.edu.au |
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Seagrass research partnership between Malgana Rangers and UWA marine biologists celebrates two-year anniversary
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The inshore waters of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area connect to the deeper waters of the adjacent Shark Bay Marine Park. Image: Gary Kendrick
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Over the past 2 years, UWA researchers Prof Gary Kendrick, Dr John Statton and Dr Elizabeth Sinclair have been working with Malgana Traditional Owners to assist the natural recovery of seagrasses impacted by a marine heatwave in the Gathaagudu (Shark Bay) World Heritage Area.
Shark Bay on the north-western coast of Western Australia is a refuge for many globally threatened species of plants and animals. The large temperate seagrasses Amphibolis antarctica and Posidonia australis have been historically dominant in this region, creating persistent meadows of some 4000 square kilometres.
In the summer of 2010–2011, Shark Bay's seagrasses were devastated by a marine heatwave and sediment deposits from the flooding Wooramel River. The heatwave caused extensive defoliation and rhizome death of A. antarctica, one of the bay's 13 species of temperate and tropical seagrasses, and ongoing disruption to the ecosystem.
UWA researchers have been assessing levels of genomic diversity among meadows in Shark Bay and developing nature-based methods with the Malgana Rangers to assist natural recovery of seagrasses in preparation for future devastating impacts of climate change.
The research team is celebrating this two year partnership with the Wirriya Jalyanu (seagrass) Festival. The Festival is a unique way of sharing knowledge 'two-ways' with the local Community through artistic, scientific and cultural activities for all ages, and will include talks from OI members Dr Gary Kendrick, and Dr Ana Sequeira, alongside Malgana Woman Ms Bianca McNeair.
Find out more about The Wirriya Jalyanu (seagrass) Festival here;
https://www.seagrassresearch.net/festival
The research project and Festival are funded through the National Environmental Science Program - Marine Biodiversity Hub grant to Kendrick, Statton, and Sinclair awarded in 2018. Find out more here:
https://www.nespmarine.edu.au/project/project-e6-–-assisting-restoration-seagrasses-shark-bay
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Underwater vision captures South West marine life
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Unique underwater video recordings revealing thriving marine life have been captured during a research trip to WA’s South West region by ocean scientists at The University of Western Australia as a part of the National Environmental Science Program.
Marine Biodiversity Hub researcher Dr Tim Langlois, from UWA’s Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences said the project opened a new window into Australia’s marine biodiversity within the South-west Corner Marine Park.
“Nationally, research at these depths is rare, so our work provides a unique local insight and is critical to inform the management of Australia’s offshore marine parks,” Dr Langlois said.
Dr Langlois and the research team worked with Traditional Owners and national collaborators from the Marine Biodiversity Hub and Parks Australia to collect the images, using baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVs).
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South-west ocean landscape provides natural tsunami protection
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New research from The University of Western Australia has found the subsurface ocean features in the eastern Indian Ocean provide natural protection from the impact of tsunami waves in south-west Australia.
These natural topographic features play a critical role in shielding towns between Geraldton and Busselton where more than 90 per cent of the population is located.
The WA coastline experiences tsunamis through underwater earthquakes that originate from offshore Indonesiafrom the Sunda Trench, an oceanic trench in the Indian Ocean.
Professor Chari Pattiaratchi from UWA’s Oceans Institute carried out a range of numerical simulations of earthquakes to understand the transmission of tsunami waves to the region.
The study, published today in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, examined the role of the surface and subsurface ocean topography that influenced the distribution of tsunami wave heights, propagating speed and direction.
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Restoring lost reefs in Mauritius
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The reef restoration and coastal erosion management project led by The University of Western Australia, the University of Mauritius and SunCare has entered an exciting new phase, transplanting its first batch of corals to restore lost reefs along the shoreline at Flic en Flac in Mauritius.
The research team includes Dr Andrew Pomeroy (UWA), Dr Nadeem Nazurally (University of Mauritius), Johan Louis (University of Mauritius) and Prof Ryan Lowe (UWA), as well as students in both Mauritius and Australia.
For the past two years, the team has used on a combination of remote sensing, long-term monitoring, detailed short-term field experiments, and numerical modelling to understand the historical environmental and shoreline changes at the site, as well as the drivers of those changes, while also making predictions about the future.
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How temperature determines the sex of hatchling sea turtles
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Scientists from The University of Western Australia and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have examined how temperature determines the sex of baby turtles. The research will be published in the Journal of Functional Ecology.
Sea turtles nest on sandy beaches over a large geographic range, with some beaches being warmer than others. When temperatures are warmer more female sea turtles are produced, and when the temperatures are cooler more male sea turtles are produced.
Although it is widely known that temperature affects reproduction in sea turtles, the pivotal temperature at which there is an equal probability of a male or female turtle produced, varies between species and is not well understood.
The researchers examined the range of temperatures and impact on the sex of turtles, and embryonic development rates between two species of sea turtles found in Western Australia – three populations of Flatback turtles (Natator depressus) and two populations of green turtles (Chelonia mydas).
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Tracking the tailbeats of a tiger shark
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Although tiger sharks have a reputation as swift and fierce predators, new research by The University of Western Australia, Australian Institute of Marine Science and Murdoch University has revealed that they actually prefer life in the slow lane.
The study, published today in Royal Society Open Science, found that rather than rushing about to locate prey, these sharks spend most of the time swimming slowly in a yo-yo fashion between the surface and the bottom.
Lead author Dr Samantha Andrzejaczek from UWA’s Oceans Institute deployed 21 camera tags on tiger sharks at Ningaloo Reef for a period of 24 to 48 hours.These new instruments combined motion and environmental sensors with video cameras and recorded data 20 times a second.
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Biological science student wins national prize
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Master of Biological Science student Debs Bayliss has won BirdLife Australia’s 2020 Australasian Seabird Group student prize.
Deb, who surveyed Western Australian breeding populations of little penguins and great-winged petrels as part of her postgraduate thesis, said her research would help inform conservation plans for these important species.
Focusing on populations on a small island off the coast of Albany, Deb surveyed the burrows of both species throughout the winter breeding season.
“Until now, the only breeding data for great-winged petrels in WA was collected over 50 years ago, while little penguin populations were last studied on the island 30 years ago,” she said.
"WA provides important breeding grounds for both species. I hope my work will establish a significant baseline against which ongoing monitoring and future changes in the populations can be assessed, aiding in the development, planning and implementation of conservation actions required to maintain healthy colonies on the island."
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Saving the coastlines of the world’s third largest island with coastal mangrove management
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Adjunct Research Fellow Ben Fitzpatrick (Director, OceanWise Australia) has just published a new study looking at innovative frameworks for holistic conservation on Borneo, the world’s third largest island.
The new study presents a participatory impact assessment (PIA) framework that evaluated the outcomes of an integrated community-led conservation initiative seeking to improve livelihoods, public health, and education while simultaneously engaging coastal communities in fisheries management and mangrove conservation.
Mangroves are critically important both for the unique biodiversity that they support and for the host of benefits that they provide to humanity, including food security from fisheries, coastal protection from storms, shore stabilisation, water filtration, and production of durable building materials and fuelwood.
Indonesia possesses the largest coverage of mangroves on earth, but 40% of its mangroves have been lost over the last three decades to aquaculture and coastal development, unsustainable timber harvesting and oil palm farming. Mangrove loss erodes coastlines and directly endangers livelihoods on the island, as well reducing the ability of these coastal populations to face the impacts of climate change.
In the three years since this conservation program was implemented, community members have reported positive changes including improved income, health, and education, alongside improved crab harvest rates and reduced mangrove deforestation.
“These results revealed an important finding– that by addressing social and economic hardships faced by individuals, we can open up doors to involving even some of the poorest coastal communities in conservation activities,” says Ben Fitzpatrick.
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Deep Dive with Matt Fraser
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"
Many of our most pressing environmental challenges are long-term, and require many years’ worth of data to develop effective management responses. Having this stable position supported by the Robson and Robertson Award has allowed me the time and space that very few early career researchers get to tackle these problems in a more comprehensive manner."
- Dr Matthew Fraser.
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Dr Matthew Fraser is a Research Fellow with the School of Biological Sciences and the inaugural recipient of the Robertson and Robertson Fellowship (2019). He is currently developing methods for management of marine habitats using transciptomics and other molecular techniques. His many research interests include microbial ecology in seagrass ecosystems, the synergistic impacts of climate change stressors on marine primary producers, improving monitoring and management of benthic primary producers under a changing climate, interactions of sediment health on seagrasses, and the biogeochemistry of marine ecosystems .
We catch up with Matt to talk about his research, career and more.
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Much of your work concerns seagrasses. What first sparked your interest in Australian waters and these species?
My initial interest in marine biology came while I was diving on the Great Barrier Reef. But I think we’re even luckier over here – we have such high diversity along the WA coastline, with world class seagrass meadows, coral reefs and kelp beds that support some truly amazing species! I think seagrasses are one of the most-underappreciated species in our oceans. They receive a fraction of the attention that other marine habitats like coral reefs, yet are just as important in supporting thriving ecological communities and providing valuable ecosystem services. We are one of the global hotspots of seagrass diversity, and I hope my research contributes towards better recognition of the important roles seagrasses play in coastal areas, and increases management and conservation outcomes.
How has understanding of our local ecosystems advanced through your work?
I think in getting a better understanding of the fine balance between fragility and resilience in our local ecosystems. We have seen some devastating,changes in WA coastal ecosystems recently. In particular, the 2011 marine heatwave had major impacts on our local habitats, with coral reefs, seagrass meadows and kelp beds suffered large declines, even in pristine World Heritage Sites such as Shark Bay. Looking forward, things are more concerning given that these heatwaves are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity. However, it’s not all doom and gloom – we’ve seen that some populations were resilient to the heatwave, which raises hope that future research will allow us to identify the drivers of this resilience and use to mitigate some of the worst impacts of climate change.
What do you hope to achieve over the course of your Fellowship?
Over the next two years, I aim to continue and expand on bringing molecular and genomic techniques into the forefront of WA marine conservation and management.
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You are the inaugural Robson and Robertson Fellow. What does this award mean to you?
Transitioning from a PhD to a Postdoctoral position is a very difficult and competitive period, and many talented scientists are lost during this stage. The Robson and Robertson award is an exceptional opportunity for an early career researcher, and has been important in allowing me to focus on long term projects during this critical career stage. And from a more personal perspective, having the faith and trust from senior leaders to do this has been extremely humbling.
How has this recognition impacted your career?
Having a long-term research position has allowed me to apply for and begin projects with collaborators that would not be possible in short time frames. Many of our most pressing environmental challenges are long-term, and require many years’ worth of data to develop effective management responses. Having this stable position supported by the Robson and Robertson Award has allowed me the time and space that very few early career researchers get to tackle these problems in a more comprehensive manner. I have also been able to take the lead on large scale projects in a way that would be impossible with short term funding. I am finding I am increasingly asked to participate in high level discussions that will shape the future of marine research in WA.
What has this Award enabled you to do?
I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible collaborators in some of the most magnificent places in the State. One of my major research focusses has been on the Shark Bay World Heritage Site. Shark Bay was devastated by the 2011 marine heatwave, which led to the largest loss of seagrass ever documented, the closure of key fisheries, and reductions in megafauna such as dugongs and turtles. As part of my research I am currently working with local and national management agencies, Traditional Owners and a plethora of collaborators to try to build resilience in this key local ecosystem
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OI Livestream: Smash or Save?
Tropical cyclones and coral reefs with Marji Puotinen
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16 September, 6.00 pm AWST
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLLTa1qPepE
Join Marji Puotinen (Australian Institute of Marine Science) in the next OI livestream.
How do tropical cyclones affect the world's coral reefs?
Tropical cyclones make big waves that can smash coral reefs. But did you know that cyclone waves can create a ‘cool wake’ that can help prevent reefs from bleaching if during times of overheated seas? Join us as we explore how wild weather can affect delicate reef systems of the world.
Previous editions of the OI Livestream are available here:
www.youtube.com/channel/UC6NR02Kc8s7o3EptpS7nEbA
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6NR02Kc8s7o3EptpS7nEbA
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City of Perth Library Series
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This series of free events featuring OI researchers is presented in partnership with the City of Perth Library.
Venue: City of Perth Library
573 Hay Street, Perth
Cost: Free, places are limited.
Book via Eventbrite links below
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Little Penguins in Perth
Join us to learn more about the ecology, conservation and management of the little penguin in the Perth Metropolitan Region.
Come along and hear about everything you ever wanted to know about this charming little seabird. From its general biology to breeding behaviour, diet, population estimates, threats
and the impacts of climate change. And find out why little penguins have a 40% divorce rate!
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A Deep Dive into the World of Ocean Giants
Presenter: Lucy Arrowsmith
Date: Wednesday 14 October 2020
Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Book at:
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/a-deep-dive-into-the-world-of-ocean-giants-tickets-119842049797
How does a changing climate impact the migration of the world’s largest fish?
Migratory marine megafauna are among the world’s most charismatic species. One of these is the world’s largest fish—the whale shark. Whale sharks are found in most tropical and subtropical waters around the world, including at the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. What is influencing the movement of whale sharks and what impact does a changing climate have on the future of this
ocean giant?
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The Life of a Baby Lobster
Presenter: Michael Brooker
Date: Wednesday 28 October 2020
Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Book at:
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-life-of-a-baby-lobster-tickets-1198426355495549
Join us to explore the habitat choices made by the secretive early juvenile western rock lobster.
The western rock lobster fishery is one of the most valuable in Australia. Currently there is a knowledge gap regarding the early life stages of these lobsters after they have settled onto nearshore reefs. Researchers are investigating the habitat choices that these lobsters are
making during this highly vulnerable and secretive stage.
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Accidental Artificial Reefs
Presenter: Todd Bond
Date: Wednesday 11 November 2020
Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Join us to unveil diverse marine ecosystems, rare sightings of sharks and new fish behaviours in around offshore structures.
This talk will explore the research into the unique ecosystems around offshore structures. The ocean off north-western Australia is a remote area of the world with a rich diversity of fish species. It is also rich in oil and gas reserves and contains many artificial structures used for their extraction. Normally, these are removed when they are no longer needed, but is this the most environmentally and financially sensible option?
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OI x RSWA Symposium: ‘Western Australia’s Marine and Estuarine Environment
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Please join us at this OI and RSWA Symposium: ‘Western Australia’s Marine and Estuarine Environment’ Saturday 3 October. See the program below for details.
Registration is $55 or free for RSWA members (Tip: RSWA annual membership fee costs $50 so if you become a member, you can attend the symposium for free!)
EZONE North
Learning Studios 1.09, 1.10 & 1.11
The University of Western Australia
Register: www.rswa.org.au
All attendees, including RSWA Members, must register.
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8:50 Welcome, Hans Lambers, RSWA President
9.00 Brett Molony (CSIRO): Thinking in systems – challenges and opportunities in the land sea interface in WA
9.35 Bill Humphreys (UWA): Subterranean estuaries in the tropical Australian arid zone
10.10 Kieryn Kilminster (DWER): Singing about scale: Estuarine seagrasses in southwest WA
10.45 Morning tea
11.15 Nerida Wilson (WAM): Exploring the deep sea canyons off Ningaloo
11.50 Joe Dortch (UWA): Salt-water archaeology: case studies of pre-European Aboriginal use of estuarine and marine environments in Western Australia
12.25 Lunch
13.30 Giada Bufarale, Michael O’Leary, Alexandra Stevens (Curtin University): Sea level controls on buried geomorphology within the Swan River Estuary during the Late Quaternary
14.05 Todd Bond (UWA): The influence of oil and gas infrastructure on Western Australia’s marine environment: informing decommissioning decisions
14.40 Thomas Wernberg (UWA): Turf wars: heatwaves, herbivores and the future of the Great Southern Reef
15.15 Afternoon tea
15.45 Kathryn McMahon (ECU): Drivers of diversity and connectivity in seagrasses: from the tropic to temperate waters of Western Australia
16.20 Luke Thomas (AIMS@UWA): Coral adaptation to climate change
16.55 Euan Harvey (Curtin University): The ecological, social and economic values of manmade marine infrastructure: issues and
opportunities
17.30 Dennis Gee (Non-retired Geologist): Sediment Dynamics of Geographe Bay
18.05 Close
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Climate Change: Heritage and Marine Processes Forum
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When: 30 September 2020
Where: Zoom
To participate, contact
Deb.Shefi@museum.wa.gov.au
Changes in the ocean’s environment, in conjunction with changing weather patterns, have the capacity to adversely impact the stability of maritime cultural heritage (MCH), including underwater, coastal and intertidal archaeological sites.
Although previous research has addressed climate change and archaeological sites, to date there is little understanding of how
present changes in the ocean’s chemistry will impact heritage in the future. Whether through coastal erosion, inundation of coastal areas, sedimentation of sites, alterations to the marine ecosystem, MCH and its associated marine biota are at risk.
There is there an unprecedented opportunity to develop a project that measures contemporary ocean acidification and associated environmental changes (including biofauna and at the presence of micro-plastics) at sites in varying environments to create a monitoring framework to measure overtime.
We would like to invite those interested in participating in a global climate change heritage monitoring project to join us virtually on the 30th of September 2020.
The Forum aims to:
- Identify measurable parameters on maritime cultural heritage sites to monitor the effects of contemporary climate change
- Develop research themes and prioritise these with lead researchers
- Identify and network with potential project partners on agreed research themes
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Rio Tinto Australia-Japan Collaboration grant program for 2020-21 is open
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The Foundation for Australia-Japan Studies (FAJS) has announced that the Rio Tinto Australia-Japan Collaboration grant program for 2020-21 is open for Expressions of Interest.
Grants will typically be between AUD$50,000 to AUD$150,000 in value. These grants are a valuable opportunity to start up new projects or to extend existing ones with Japanese and Australian counterparts. They can be in part used to support the exchange of researchers to build lasting links between research teams from diverse organisations.
The Foundation will prioritise high quality programs particularly, but not exclusively, in the areas of:
- Materials and energy technologies and systems
- Computing, digital and AI applications and developments
- Food, marine and agriculture science and technologies
- Medical science and technology
- Social and physical infrastructure
Expressions of Interest close on September 30, 2020
Read the Guidelines explaining the criteria for projects, further details can be found within the Foundation’s website:
https://www.fajs.org/grant-application-form |
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Women of the Future Awards
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Calling All Future Trailblazers! Enter now and you could win $72,000 in cash and prizes!
Do you know a young woman helping to make the world a better place? We are calling all future trailblazers to enter our 2020 Veeda Women of the Future Awards.
Now in its 8th year, The Australian Women’s Weekly Veeda Women of the Future Awards champion the achievements of Australia’s most brilliant young female innovators aged 18-34. The opportunities the awards present can change their lives, and countless other, forever.
The prize pool is over $72,000. Including $20,000 cash. The Winner and their innovation will be supported and promoted in future issues of The Australian Women’s Weekly & Marie Claire, with further opportunities of additional PR.
Entries close 1 7th September at 11:59pm.
A fuss free entry has been created. Simply head to nowtolove.com.au/womenofthefuture2020 to enter
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Forrest Research Foundation Prospect Fellowship Now open for applications
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Passionate about conservation of local World Heritage areas and thinking about doing a PhD next year?
Apply for the Keiran McNamara World Heritage PhD Top-Up Scholarship! This scholarship provides $25,000 per year, comprising a top-up of $10,000 and an allowance of $15,000 for PhD Research expenses.
Keiran McNamara World Heritage PhD Top Up Scholarships are offered across all five Western Australian universities to outstanding students who wish to undertake high quality PhD research related to identifying, managing and conservation of World Heritage areas in Western Australia.
All applicants for the Keiran McNamara World Heritage PhD Top Up Scholarships must contact potential supervisors before submitting their application.
Available in the 2021 Round for Domestic applicants and UWA international graduates only
Applications are now open and close 30 October 2020.
Learn more at UWA Scholarships.
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Subscribe to the monthly Oceans Institute Newsletter for more research stories, events and opportunities.
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