Eager to save shrinking fish stocks and shape the future of their field, two 国产探花 marine biology graduates will soon dive headfirst into a tour of Papua New Guinea.
Peter Waldie and Tane Sinclair-Taylor will join next month to analyse the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in reducing the impacts of overfishing.
Mr Waldie said he wanted to explore and define new opportunities beyond those traditionally occupied by marine biologists in academic, private and government sectors.
鈥淲e saw a real opportunity by working with NGOs (non-government organisations) and research groups with an interest in fieldwork in developing countries,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e aim to reduce the cost of much-needed field research in these countries by utilising existing networks, and by carrying out multiple projects for leading Australian research groups within each individual trip.
鈥淲e can achieve these goals, and dramatically reduce the costs of doing so. Not only that, by bringing the skills and knowledge of these groups together we could also improve the services that each provide.鈥�
MPAs include areas known as 鈥済reen zones鈥� 鈥� places where fish and other species can flourish without human interference.
鈥淚nside the zones fish are understandably larger and more abundant and these larger fish spill over into fishing areas,鈥� Mr Waldie said.
鈥淟arger fish also have more offspring and offspring of higher quality. As most marine fish are broadcast spawners, MPAs are often net exporters of larvae. MPAs may also protect stock genetics from the effects of selective fishing and act as insurance against external stock collapses.鈥�
This kind of protection is particularly important in areas like remote PNG, where monitoring is minimal.
Mr Waldie said the trip to Papua New Guinea had been inspired by fellow students who shared a passion for finding new solutions to save our oceans.
During his studies, which included an honours year in 2009, Mr Waldie completed more than 300 dive hours to observe and capture fish, shark, ray and coral specimens for research. Fellow honours graduate Mr Sinclair-Taylor has worked extensively in more than 50 field programs with numerous 国产探花-based research groups in research assistant and field technician roles.
Both Mr Waldie and Mr Sinclair-Taylor will remain in Papua New Guinea until October before sailing along the east coast of Australia to meet with local research groups to discuss their work.
Media: Mr Waldie (0421 733 010, peter@waldie.com.au) or Cameron Pegg at 国产探花 Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)
