top of page

PROJECTS

COLLABORATORS

IMG_0105.JPG
Training in data collection and analysis for the estimation of fish size at maturity

2021-22

Tuvalu Fisheries Department, Tuvalu

Scope: development and delivery of training and relevant resources for Tuvalu Fisheries Department staff to estimate maturity for key local coastal target species to inform the establishment of local size limits. Development and delivery of technical training involving reproductive data collection and analysis, and the development of supporting tools and resources, including training manuals, training video, and automated data analysis tools.

IMG_0105.JPG
Mapping Pacific coastal fisheries data collections & SDG14.4.1 training

2021

Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO Pacific)

Scope: Conducted data mapping for coastal fisheries of the 22 Pacific Island countries and territories, including how available data have been used to assess fisheries and inform management, with recommendations for future needs. Led training of Pacific Island fisheries staff in data collection and assessment approaches commensurate with local data and capacity, and in reporting on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.4.1.

IMG_0105.JPG
Review of fisheries harvest strategy tool (FishPath)

2020-22

NSW Fisheries, Australia

Scope: Review the novel online fisheries harvest strategy tool to assess the extent that recreational fishing is considered in the tool questions and outputs.

IMG_0105.JPG
Vanuatu Community-based Climate Resilience Project (VCCRP)

2020-21

Vanuatu Community-based Climate Resilience Project (VCCRP)

Scope: Acted as the fisheries specialist in the review of a Green Climate Fund concept note for a full project being developed to facilitate priority adaptations at the community level in rural communities of Vanuatu. My role also included the co-development of the full project design based on community surveys and data gathering, literature searches and on the above review.

IMG_0105.JPG
Fisheries climate change vulnerability assessments

2020-21

UNDP/GEF, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and northern Australia

Scope: Adapted previous climate change vulnerability assessment frameworks (see previous projects) and conducted a semi-quantitative climate change vulnerability assessment for fisheries and conservation species and habitats of the Arafura Sea and Timor Sea regions, under a project titled Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase 2 (ATSEA-2). This involved adapting an existing VA framework I co-developed, to be tailored to the regional context, as well as conducting the necessary data gathering which included: literature reviews, data gathering and stakeholder surveys.

IMG_0105.JPG
Climate change vulnerability assessment

2020-21

NEOM, Saudi Arabia

Scope: Adapted previous climate change vulnerability assessment frameworks (see previous projects) and conducted climate change vulnerability assessments for key marine and terrestrial species in the NEOM region to inform policy development.

IMG_0105.JPG
Tilapia aquaculture risk assessment, Vanuatu

2020

Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Vanuatu

Scope: Conducted a formal risk assessment of the risk of introducing the GIFT strain of O. niloticus Tilapia to the Port Resolution area of Tanna Island, Vanuatu as a potential alternative food and income source to offset the impacts from new management measures under the implementation of a coastal resource management plan.

IMG_0105.JPG
Global Fishing Index (GFI) assessments

2019-20

Minderoo Foundation, Middle East & Seychelles

Scope: Provided oversight to a team based in Seychelles and the Middle East to conduct fishery stakeholder consultations in conducting a fisheries governance assessment using a developed framework. This was part of a global project to develop a Global Fishing Index (GFI) for a large number of countries to inform improvements in fisheries governance.

IMG_0105.JPG
Climate change and fisheries management project: best practice

2019-20

Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), part-funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Scope: Under the global Climate change and fisheries management project, responsibilities included: the review of a series of international written case studies and their finalization; co-develop, co-facilitate and attend an international workshop of case study authors in Rome, Italy, and; co-lead the development of a FAO technical paper and chapter that collates global progress and learnings of fisheries management adaptation to climate change and provides practical guidance for fisheries managers.

IMG_0105.JPG
Developing the first snorkel trail in Vanuatu

2019

Top Rock Visit and Point Lookout

Scope: C2O Pacific scientists and volunteers Rebecca and Amelia Casey, worked with Charlie John of Saama village in North Efate, Vanuatu, and owner of the Top Rock Visit and Point Lookout eco-tourism business, to develop a local snorkel trail. Top Rock offers spectacular cliff-top views of diverse coral reefs and the coastline across Undine Bay coupled with some of the most amazing snorkeling in Vanuatu. Top Rock owner, Charlie, has worked very hard to establish and improve the tourist attraction that takes advantage of the local natural beauty to view corals, reef fish and turtles, as well as the occasional dugong that visits the site. According to Charlie, one of the aims of Top Rock is to create experiences for visitors that are educational and support a better understanding and respect for Vanuatu’s coral reefs. The development of the Top Rock snorkel trail, with the input of C2O scientists, has created a unique and educational tourist experience in Vanuatu, and has proven to be very popular with tourists who have provided very positive feedback.

IMG_0105.JPG
Marine Champion training on Ifira Island, Vanuatu

2019

Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP)

Scope: C2O Pacific conducted training of 16 community members to be Marine Champions and in the use of the Community Marine Monitoring Toolkit. The training was conducted on Ifira Island, Port Vila Vanuatu, with the generous and kind support of the entire Ifira community, and trainees were from three regions of Vanuatu: Ifira Island, Tanna Island, and individuals from 10 villages across North Efate. Trainees were also provided with leadership training. The training culminated in a community meeting led by participants: why is marine monitoring important, what information the toolkit methods provides, what issues can be identified and how to address these issues. Following the training the Ifira Marine Champions organised the help of local youth to clean up over half a tonne of rubbish from the local mangrove forests - one of the key issues identified during training.

IMG_0105.JPG
Ecological Sustainability Evaluation of Seafood (ESES) assessments

2018-21

World Wildlife Fund (WWF-Australia)

Scope: Conducted multiple (>30) assessments using the WWF Ecological Sustainability Evaluation of Seafood (ESES) methodology to assess the ecological sustainability of seafood commercially produced throughout the world and sold in Australia.

IMG_0105.JPG
Developing a community-based resource management plan in Port Resolution, Vanuatu

2018-2019

Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP)

Scope: C2O Pacific scientists teamed up with Marine Champions from the Tasivanua Environment Network and the Nguna-Pele Land and Marine Protected Area Network of North Efate, to facilitate the development of a community-based conservation management plan for Port Resolution communities on Tanna Island, Vanuatu. The management area was developed with local community members and includes approximately 10,173 square km's of which 52 % is marine and 48 % is coastal land area. The conservation area includes management actions and rules to address issues around overfishing, preservation of traditional practices, land clearing, and poor fishing practices and includes 7 no-take zones. The project team also developed with the community a livelihood plan. This involved developing a framework to propose feasible alternative livelihood options to offset impacts from restrictions introduced by the new management plan, as well as a mechanism for sustainable financing that covers initial and ongoing costs associated with management. To empower the local community members in ensuring the successful implementation and monitoring of new management, C2O also trained 14 local community members as Marine Champions: local leaders in conservation. These individuals included men and women and were all trained in leadership and in the use of the Community Marine Monitoring Toolkit.

IMG_0105.JPG
Evaluation of the Community-Based Sustainable Development through Coastal Fisheries and Financial Inclusion in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea Projects

2018

World Wildlife Fund/MCC Environmental

Scope: Part of a team for the Evaluation of the Community-Based Sustainable Development through Coastal Fisheries and Financial Inclusion in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea Projects. I performed a site visit to Madang, PNG to interview staff, government and non-government partners, and community members to assess progress in achieving: sustainable coastal fisheries, financial inclusion mechanisms (alternative livelihoods) and community-based monitoring.

IMG_0105.JPG
Coastal Fisheries Management in the Pacific: Capacity Building tour

2017

Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Scope: This workshop was to facilitate exchanges between experienced fisheries staff in Australia and Pacific nations to progress the implementation of Pacific coastal resource management and policy. The workshop was ran as a tour to Australia of fisheries managers from Marshall Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu for experiential and interactive discussions about fisheries policy and management with different Australian and Pacific jurisdictions, showcasing contrasting management approaches. The workshop was ran in partnership with Western Australia fisheries scientist Dr Stephen Newman and brought together fisheries officers, scientists, industry, managers, seafood marketers, planners and other stakeholders to provide a comprehensive overview of coastal fisheries management approaches and knowledge.

IMG_0105.JPG
Resilience of Ecosystems and Societies to Climate Change (RESCCUE) Project: Vanuatu

2016-2018

Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Scope: As part of an international team of consultants C2O Fisheries will deliver fisheries components of this larger project aimed at increasing the resilience of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), with a focus on the North Efate region of Vanuatu, in the context of global changes. The RESCCUE project aims at supporting adaptation to climate change through integrated coastal management. C2O Fisheries leads the assessment of local no fishing (tabu) areas in terms of their benefit to local communities, and in harmonising local and national fisheries management measures.

IMG_0105.JPG
Management of climate change-induced loss and damage in artisanal fisheries and aquaculture in the Pacific region

2016-2017

GIZ (BMZ-funded Global Programme on Risk Assessment and Management for Adaptation to Climate Change)

Scope: Review of the management of climate change-induced loss and damage in artisanal fisheries and aquaculture in the Pacific region to inform strategic planning for future work in the region.

IMG_0105.JPG
Defining the values of the ecological systems that influence the GBR and lie outside the Marine Park and world heritage area boundaries

2016-18

James Cook University, Australian Institute of Marine Science, CSIRO, University of Queensland; Funded by the Australian National Environmental Science Programme

Scope: Contribute to the mapping of values in the northeast Australian seascape and adjacent Pacific waters, and characterise the processes and attributes that influence these values and their connectivity at a regional scale. The project delivers a resource that can inform cross-jurisdictional planning and management.

IMG_0105.JPG
Review of current management and MCS measures in relation to sharks in the WCPF to inform CITES NDF assessments

2016

James Cook University

Scope: Review and document the current fisheries management measures adopted by the Western Central Pacific Fishery Commission, as well as Monitoring, Control and Surveillance, that will inform CITES Non-Detriment Findings assessments. This was to inform NDF framework and training development activities in the Pacific in relation to sharks listed in Appendix II of CITES, particularly hammerhead and manta ray species recently added to CITES listing.

IMG_0105.JPG
Revitalisation of the National Recreational Fishing Code of Practice

2016

Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation

Scope: Conduct literature searches and stakeholder consultations to review the current Australian national recreational fishing Code of Practice (COP). In this project C2O Fisheries partners with Reef Ecologic and Ryan Donnelly Consulting, to identify key areas that the current COP can be improved and, through a stakeholder workshop and wider consultation, develop a range of COP products that are contemporary, innovative and effective in meeting the objectives of the COP.

IMG_0105.JPG
Description of a suitable small-scale vessel registration system for Pacific Island Countries and Territories

2015

Secretariat for the Pacific Community

Scope: Based on extensive consultation among Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), including travel to four PICTs, provide guidance on a small-scale vessel registration system that would be suitable for implementation in the Pacific.


Project Reports:

Download Summary Report

IMG_0105.JPG
Global Sharks and Rays Initiative: Fisheries management Sub-strategy

2015

Wildlife Conservation Society, James Cook University

Scope: Develop a white paper and strategy for a long-term program to improve management and conservation of shark and ray fisheries globally.

IMG_0105.JPG
Building resilience in Treaty villages, South Fly District, Western Province, Papua New Guinea

2014-2020

Reef & Rainforest Research Centre; funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Scope: Deliver community-based sustainable resource management using an innovative ranger platform that can drive local actions for water and food security, health promotion, environmental sustainability, enhanced livelihoods, and healthy ecosystems. C2O Fisheries provided training in coastal resource management and practical training in food preservation techniques (fish and fruit drying and smoking) as an alternative livelihood option and as a climate change adaptation option.

IMG_0105.JPG
Mahe Plateau Fisheries Management Plan, Seychelles

2014-2015

United Nations Environment Programme, Global Environment Facility, Government of Seychelles

Scope: Lead stakeholder consultation and development of the first fisheries management plan for Seychelles Mahe Plateau demersal artisanal fishery.

IMG_0105.JPG
Mahe Plateau Fisheries Management Plan, Seychelles: monitoring, control and surveillance protocols

2014-2015

United Nations Development Programme, Global Environment Facility, Government of Seychelles

Scope: Lead development of Monitoring, Compliance and Surveillance plans to support Seychelles demersal artisanal fisheries.

IMG_0105.JPG
Great Barrier Reef beche-de-mer surveys

2014

Fishwell Consulting

Scope: Assist survey development for black teatfish populations in the Great Barrier Reef.

IMG_0105.JPG
New Zealand Marine Stewardship Council review

2014

Fishwell Consulting

Scope: Critically review Marine Stewardship Council pre-assessments for New Zealand orange roughy fisheries.

IMG_0105.JPG
Tropical reef fish management optimisation

2013-2016

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, Northern Territory Fisheries

Scope: Optimise the management of tropical reef fish through the development of Indigenous scientific capability. Coordinate project sample collection, analysis and report writing for stock structure research of three tropical fish species.

IMG_0105.JPG
Implications of climate change for recreational fishers and industry

2013

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, James Cook University, Fisheries Victoria, Recfish West

Scope:  Conduct reviews of key recreational fishery species and assess their vulnerability to climate change.

IMG_0105.JPG
Vulnerability of Torres Strait fisheries and supporting habitats to climate change

2013

Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Torres Strait Regional Authority

Scope:  Develop and apply a climate change vulnerability assessment framework for Torres Strait fisheries to facilitate adaptation.

IMG_0105.JPG
Strengthening in-country tropical marine resources management training capacity in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

2012-2013

Australian Tropical Marine Alliance, Coral Triangle Centre, The Nature Conservancy

Scope:  Develop training modules and associated materials on the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management and delivery this in-country for training of trainers.


Download Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management

Curriculum, Course Outline and Unit Plans

Course Notes

IMG_0105.JPG
Assessment of novel gear designs to reduce interactions between species of conservation interest and commercial fishing nets

2011-2015

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, James Cook University, Queensland Seafood Industry Association, Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry

Scope:  Conduct field trials to test alternative net designs for mitigating net fishery interactions with Species of Conservation Interest.

IMG_0105.JPG
Identification of climate-driven species shifts and adaptation options for recreational fishers: learning general lessons from a data rich case

2011-2014

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, CSIRO, Australian Underwater Federation, James Cook University

Scope:  Facilitate engagement with fishing stakeholders for the analysis of recreational fishing data to assess species shifts potentiall driven by climate change.

IMG_0105.JPG
Implications of climate change impacts on fisheries resources of tropical Australia

2011-2014

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, Commonwealth Department of Climate Change & Energy Efficiency, James Cook University, Queensland Seafood Industry Association, Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, C2O Consulting, The University of Tasmania, Northern Territory Fisheries, Western Australia Fisheries, Infofish Australia, Maynard Marine

Scope: Lead the development and application of a climate change vulnerability assessment framework to northern Australian fisheries, and conduct reviews of key tropical fishery species.

IMG_0105.JPG
Scoping current and future genetic tools, their limitations and their applications for fisheries management

2011

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, CSIRO, The University of Queensland

Scope:  Contribution to a national review of genetic technologies and their application to fisheries management, and conduct stakeholder interviews to identify issues and perceptions.


Project Reports:
Download Project Report
Download field guide to genetics in fisheries

IMG_0105.JPG
Biology and population structure of the dogtooth tuna, Gymnosarda unicolor

2008-2015

Australian Underwater Federation, James Cook University

Scope: Lead the collection of samples for stock structure analysis and document biology of dogtooth tuna for the first time.

IMG_0105.JPG
Adapting to change: minimising uncertainty about the effects of rapidly-changing environmental conditions on the Queensland Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery

2008-2010

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, James Cook University, Sea Research, Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation, Infofish Australia, CSIRO, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Maynard Marine

Scope:  Contribute to the analysis of commercial fisheries data to assess the effects of cyclones on fishery catch rates.

IMG_0105.JPG
Stock structure of sharks across the northeast Australian coast

2007-2011

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, James Cook University, Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation, The University of Queensland, NSW Fisheries

Scope:  Investigate the stock structure of four shark species caught in commercial fisheries.

IMG_0105.JPG
Stock structure of threadfins across northern Australia

2007-2010

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, James Cook University, Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation, Northern Territory Fisheries, Western Australia Fisheries, The University of Queensland

Scope:  Assess the stock structure of two important fishery species, king and blue threadfin.

IMG_0105.JPG
Determination of management units for grey mackerel fisheries across northern Australia

2005-2009

Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, James Cook University, Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation, Northern Territory Fisheries, Western Australia Fisheries, The University of Queensland

Scope:  Investigate the stock structure of grey mackerel in northern Australia, an important fishery species.

bottom of page