DNA reveals the past and future of coral reefs
New DNA techniques are being used to understand how coral reacted to the end of the last ice age in order to better predict how they will cope with current changes to the climate. James Cook Univer
From 2005 to 2022, the main node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies was headquartered at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland (Australia)
Coral reefs provide food and livelihoods for millions of people. The wellbeing of reef-reliant populations is however under significant and increasing threat from impacts on reefs, such as overfishing and habitat degradation. The failures of centralised management institutions to secure food and livelihood benefits for coastal populations have led to increased emphasis onto community involvement in localised marine resource management. However, the potential of such localised efforts to secure fisheries contributions to nutrition and livelihoods is uncertain, particularly given burgeoning populations. The predominantly coastal population of Solomon Islands depends on reef fisheries as the primary source of protein and in many areas, small scale commercial fisheries offer one of the few viable livelihood opportunities. Locally managed marine areas (LMMAs), resulting from collaborative initiatives involving coastal communities, government and NGOs, are the primary means of managing small scale fisheries exploitation in Solomon Islands. This project will address the overarching question; are locally managed marine areas contributing to the food security of Solomon Islands? The research has four key objectives: (1) To determine whether LMMA rules mediate fisher behaviour to reduce the vulnerability of fisheries resources to decline and the vulnerability of households to future food insecurity; (2) To determine if taboo areas are an effective fisheries management institution with potential to contribute to food security; (3) To determine whether taboo areas are an institution robust to increasing demand for fish; (4) To determine whether knowledge transfer, between management support agencies and communities, influences uptake of fisheries management and national level up-scaling of marine resource management via LMMAs.
New DNA techniques are being used to understand how coral reacted to the end of the last ice age in order to better predict how they will cope with current changes to the climate. James Cook Univer
A new study on the effects of climate change in five tropical countries has found fisheries are in more trouble than agriculture, and poor people are in the most danger. Distinguished Profess
James Cook University researchers have found brightly coloured fish are becoming increasingly rare as coral declines, with the phenomenon likely to get worse in the future. Christopher Hemingson, a
Researchers working with stakeholders in the Great Barrier Reef region have come up with ideas on how groups responsible for looking after the reef can operate more effectively when the next bleaching
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Abstract: The past few years have seen unprecedented coral bleaching and mortality on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) but the consequences of this on biodiversity are not yet known. This talk will expl
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